Don't know who K Balachander is? Read here to know what you may have missed

The News Minute| December 24, 2014| 6.40 pm IST

As Director K Balachander's funeral procession reached its final destination at the Besant Nagar crematorium, thousands of fans congregated at the location. 

For most people, K Balachander needs no introduction. Almost all the hit old movies released in the 1990s were directed by the man himself. 

However, for those who don't know who he is, he has been been the sole man responsible for the launch of successful acting careers of a number of exceptional actors and actresses. 

Here's some of the names in the long list. 

Rajinikanth

Launched by Director K Balachander, this man has come to represent superstardom in Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth was launched by the director himself in a movie Aboorva Raagangal. Just weeks earlier he wrote in an article, “In my forthcoming movie, I am introducing a young man who has fire in his eyes,” he had written just weeks earlier in the film magazine Pesum Padam. “Just mark my words. He will go on to become a phenomenon.”

And he did. 

Kamal Hassan

Another one of Tamil Nadu's seniormost actors, Kamal Hassan was launched by him in his 1973 Tamil movie 'Arangetram'. They went on to work together in over 40 movies. 

Prakash Raj

A man known for his versatile acting skills, especially his villain roles, Prakash Raj too was launched by director K Balachander. His first Tamil debut was with the director for a 1994 movie called Duet featuring many othrs apart from him.

Saritha 

Actress Saritha made her debut with the director in theTelugu film, Maro Charithra in 1978. In this movie, she played a role opposite Kamal Hassan. 

Vivekh

The actor now more famous for his comic roles was launched by the same director. 

My mentor gone! My radical lion is gone! The peerless legend is gone! I have lost my dad again. pic.twitter.com/8NXFFtBj9Z

— Vivekh actor (@Actor_Vivek) December 23, 2014

JayaPrada 

Anthuleni Katha became the movie in which Jaya Prada played her first starring role in 1976 when she was cast in the leading role with Rajinikanth and others in supporting roles in a movie directed by K Balachander.

In fact, entertainment portal IndiaGlitz has made these two graphics which show actors launched or spotted by K Balachander.