Was R Balki set to helm Ilaiyaraaja biopic? Director says ‘but rapport was a big issue…’

Director R Balki, who recently attended veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja's Symphony Valiant in London, opened up about how he had once pitched the idea of a biopic of the musician with Dhanush starring in it. The filmmaker further discussed how he had to abandon the idea and could not proceed further because of his relationship with Ilaiyaraaja. What did Balki say? Read on to know.

Filmmaker R Balki pitched idea for Ilaiyaaraaja’s biopic

R Balki, the filmmaker who is behind films like Paa, Pad Man, and Ghoomer, recently was in London to attend Ilaiyaraaja's Symphony No 1 Valiant. The director is known to be an ardent fan of the composer, and in a latest interview talked about how he was the first to pitch an idea on Ilaiyaaraja's biopic with Dhanush in the lead role.

"But the rapport is also a big issue when you turn it into practicality. Because, to me, I don't know anything about Raja sir, and don't want to know about him, he does not know about himself except his music. For 2-4 months I was working with various people who know him, but after years, I told them that I cannot do it,” he added.

 Also read: Best Dhanush films to stream on OTT that can give you goosebumps 

The filmmaker said that he does not have a story, if he disassociates himself from his music. "He is coming, so the music is coming. I cannot use his songs as item numbers and make a film hit. Sometimes over love for the person also stops... I don’t want to make him a story or a human.”

Later, the Ilaiyaraaja biopic was announced officially with Dhanush in the lead and directed by Arun Matheswaran.

R Balki films to watch on OTTplay Premium

R Balki, who has roots from Tamil Nadu, predominantly works in the Hindi film industry and is known for helming films with varied storylines. His last directorial is Ghoomer, which released in 2023 and stars Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Saiyami Kher, and Angad Bedi, among others. The film is available for streaming on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium app.

Balki's another film Chup: Revenge of the Artist, is also available on ZEE5, and is one of the unique Hindi thrillers to be made, revolving around a serial killer targeting film critics.

If you are fan of R Balki films, watch the filmmaker’s selected and exclusive works on OTTplay Premium at discounted rates.