Dark films have always been director Balu Mahendra’s forte and he is the one to have introduced it in Tamil films.

Moodu Pani, his take on Psycho, remains one of Tamil cinemas best in the film noir genre. Considered a pioneer in contemporary filmmaking, he has been pretty consistent in delivering quality cinema and also discovering talent both in acting and direction.

His protégés, to make it big in Tamil cinema, include noted director Bala and Ram, whose debut offering Kattrathu Tamil received wide critical acclaim. The latest to come out of this school is Vetrimaaran with Polladhavan. Recently, while speaking to our correspondent, the director said that he had organized a special screening for his mentor, Balu Mahendra, who after watching the film wondered if he had so much violence in him as he was the calmest of all his assistants.

He is even said to have given this young director his views on the highs and lows in the film and commented that this film is going to set a trend in mainstream cinema. A true tribute especially when it comes from your mentor.