Quotes from Balachandra Menon

Certain personal issues forced me stay away from movies for a while but that does not mean I was idle and cut away from cinema. It was during that break that I wrote two books and found the time to dream about new scripts and plots.

One thing that I have noticed is that whatever be the function, however poignant or serious, the audience always prefers a speech laced with a bit of humor.

There is a strong social premise in our country and I feel today freedom is being misused and not used.

I may have crossed three-fourths of my life and I felt it would be worth jotting down my life in movies spanning decades.

Politics is not my cup of tea.

The movie 'Prema Geethangal' brought out the campus life in the 1980s whereas 'Ennalum Sharat' speaks from the 2017 perspective.

My basic mission as an artist is to communicate with people. Therefore, I am conscious I have to make films that people can digest.

There is a right to protest in our country, but at times the manner in which the protest is done breaks all permissible levels. I don't agree with it at all.

My first love was always direction; I had worked hard as a film-maker but not as an actor.

My approach to politics is very serious. It must be handled by great people with extraordinary skills and human qualities. I feel I don't have qualities of that sort.

'Karyam Nissaram' and 'Oru Painkili Katha' ran for 100 days, 'Ammayana Sathyam' for 97 days and other hits were 'Kelkatha Sabdam,' 'Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla' and 'Aniyatha Valakal.'

I believe there should be a witness to every act in this world. So when I write about a film, when I speak volumes about it, I felt there should also be a witness to attest to its credentials, and this is especially for the conviction of future generations.

Competitive spirit is a driving force that keeps life going with a thrill.

As I am a film personality, I feel it would be best to be an independent candidate. Thus if I decide to contest it won't be under the symbol of any political party.

I have no hesitation in taking up more acting assignments if good roles come.

In Hindi cinema, the cabaret dancers were eased out when the heroines imbibed their mannerisms. This could happen in Malayalam cinema too.

There are rules and regulations, and we live in a country where the Constitution gives us rights and at the same time there are things that have to be restricted. Hence, I believe the law of the land should be adhered to.

Of all my movies, I feel that 'Krishna Gopalakrishna' remains one of my best works though it could not be called a box office success. I maintain that it was far ahead of its time.

Though direction remains my first love, I will certainly be a bit more serious about acting.

I recently found out that the print of my first film 'Utrada Rathri,' released in 1978, is damaged beyond repair. So the only way to relive earlier films is through books based on the screenplay.

I never plan my speech. Very often the audience triggers me into the mood.

I record all my speeches and have DTP prints of them. When I happened to read the speeches compiled I thought it made for an interesting read. This set to me thinking on publishing it in book form.

As an actor, I am delighted that Innocent has busted the myth that a film star would never win an election in Kerala.

Ninety per cent of my movies were hits.