S. Balasubramanian

S S Balan, also known as S. Balasubramanian, was a journalist, filmmaker, political analyst, and media personality, as well as an internationally acclaimed aviculturist and agriculturalist of Indian origin. He was born in Madras on December 28, 1935, to S. S. Vasan and Pattammal Vasan, and had a keen interest in cricket and animals from a young age. As the only son of media mogul S.S. Vasan, he was groomed to take on a similar role from a young age. He not only took his responsibilities seriously but also established his own path to success. S. Balasubramanian took over several companies, including Gemini Picture Circuit, Gemini Studios, Ananda Vikatan, and Gemini Color Lab, and became the managing director of the media empire.

Under his leadership, Gemini Studios became one of the most advanced film studios in Asia and produced successful films that broke language barriers in India. Gemini Picture Circuit was the largest film distributor in India during the 1950s and 1960s, and Gemini Color Lab was one of the most successful labs in South Asia. He produced, wrote, and directed more than 30 films in six languages, starting with the Hindi film Grihasti in 1955. He helped many new talents establish their careers in the film industry, including Jayalalitha, Rajesh Khanna Born as Jatin Khanna on 29th December 1942, the ch >> Read More... , Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942 in A >> Read More... , Ravichandran, and Shivakumar. S. Balasubramanian and his father, Vasan, brought transparency to the film industry by refusing cash dealings in film and media production, and they led the cause for industry status recognition in the country for films.

He successfully ran the media empire while his father was a member of parliament from 1964 until he died in 1969. However, the colossal failure of his magnum opus, Ellorum Nallavare, in four languages in the mid-1970s precipitated the shutdown of Gemini Studios. Some of his notable films include Grihasthi, Aurat, Gharana, Motor Sundaram Pillai, Olivilakku, Nishan, Teen Bahuraniyan, Sanjog, Lakhon Mein Ek Lakhon Mein Ek, as is quite evident from the name >> Read More... , Shatranj, Maadaivam, Siriththu Vaazha Vendum, and Ellorum Nallavare. In the early 1980s, S. Balasubramanian shifted his focus to publishing and sold the film company and its assets while retaining Vasan Publications/Ananda Vikatan. Balasubramanian has achieved success in various areas, including agriculture and farming.

He pursued his passion for agriculture for over six decades and established Gemini Farms in Padappai. The farms under his guidance are known as model farms due to his international exposure and association with them, where he routinely tests new crop varieties for companies. His attention to detail, innovativeness, and management style has been recognized by the Planning Commission of India, which has studied his methods for bringing in the next wave of the green revolution. Additionally, he established the Gemini Agro Technical Educational (GATE) Foundation, which provides free agricultural education to farmers from different regions. Apart from agriculture, Balasubramanian is also an animal, fish, and bird enthusiast, particularly known for breeding exotic birds and parrots.

He maintained one of the largest bird farms in South Asia, Gemini Bird Farm, with a vast variety of birds, and he specializes in breeding color mutations of ringneck parrots, palm cockatoos, macaws, and more. The Chennai zoo receives frequent bird donations from the farm. He was a prominent figure in the Indian media for over six decades, serving as the editor and managing director of the Ananda Vikatan magazine. He retired in 2006 from active involvement at the Vikatan Group, where he was the chairman emeritus. Under his leadership, the group achieved numerous accomplishments, including the establishment of the Junior Vikatan magazine, which is known for its investigative journalism. S.S. Balan, also known by the pen name Sevarkodiyon, wrote successful novels and serial stories such as Un Kannil Neer Vazhindhaal and Pesum Porchitthirame.

He was a devoted fan of Subramanya Bharathi and often titled his novels based on lines from the poet's works. In his personal life, Balasubramanian was married to Saroja Balan, and they had seven children, including B. Srinivasan, who is now the managing director of the Vikatan Group. Balasubramanian passed away in December 2014 at the age of 78 due to a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, five daughters, a son, and grandchildren. He also had a bird sanctuary in Padappai.