Bala Ganapathi William
Bala Ganapathi William is a Malaysian of Indian origin who is an actor,food panda delivery man, anchorman ,comedian and producer in Malaysian Tamil Cinema and Malaysian Indian Cinema.[1] He is also known by his initials BGW. He is the founder and CEO of BGW Studios, a film and TV production company in Malaysia.
Bala Ganapathi William | |
|---|---|
 Self-portrait photograph | |
| Born | 16 January 1990 |
| Other names | BGW |
| Occupation | Actor, Comedian Anchor, TV Host, Producer, Director, Traveller,Food Panda Delivery . |
| Years active | 2012 - present |
Early life and education
Bala Ganapathi William[2] was born to a Malaysian Indian family in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He finished his primary education at SJK (T) Saraswathy, a Tamil school in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He completed his secondary education at SMK Bandar Sungai Petani in 2007. After completing his secondary education, he was selected for an intercultural student exchange program in Japan under the AFS Intercultural Programs from 2008 until 2009.
Movies
Bala Ganapathi William's first feature film as a solo hero is Neeyum Naanum.[3][4][5] William directed the film under BGW Studios in association with HK Network.
| Year | Title | Language | Director | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Vivaagarathu | Tamil | THR Revathy | Released on June 2014 nationwide cinemas in Malaysia |
| 2014 | Vinay | Tamil | Ben G | DVD Movie (2016) |
| 2014 | Pavithra | Tamil | Soma Kanthan | Project Dropped[6] |
| 2018 | Neeyum Naanum[7] | Tamil | Bala Ganapathi William | 20 September 2018 |
Songs
William made his debut as a singer in his first single titled "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabma".[8][9][10] The music was composed by Lawrence Soosai. The cast of the music video includes William, Subashini Asokan, Mugen Rao and Srithika Sri. Rapper Sheezay and Santesh penned the song's lyrics. The song was on the Malaysian Top 10 Hits chart for more than 10 weeks, and it was also the number one song on the chart continuously for seven weeks in THR Raaga.
| Year | Title | Language | Director | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Kaadhal" Enbathu Saabama | Tamil Song | Music Video Directed by: Bala Ganapathi William | Released worldwide on 3 August 2017 |
| 2018 | "Intha Kaadhale Venam" | Tamil Song | Music Video Directed by: Bala Ganapathi William | Released worldwide on 21 February 2018 |
| 2018 | "Tokkam Illaiye" | Tamil Song | Movie Directed by: Bala Ganapathi William | a song from Neeyum Naanum movie |
Movies
As for 2017, BGW has worked on more than 300 episodes of TV programs TV series locally and internationally. He first appeared on television in 2009 in a program titled 'Alaram 2' on ASTRO Vaanavil, at the age of 19. He made his debut as a host on a TV anchor in a dance competition titled Yuttha Medai which was previously known as Aattam 100 Vagai on ASTRO Vaanavil in November 2012. He made his acting debut in a TV Drama titled Vazhkai Valvatharke which was aired on ASTRO Vaanavil in 2012. Alarum Pookkal, also known as 3 Doctors is a drama which was aired on RTM TV2 channel in 2013. It was first drama featuring William as the male lead.
In the street food program, Rasikka Rusikka William travels Malaysia by bicycle and samples local food. By the fourth season, he also traveled in Thailand and Singapore.
In 2014, William worked as an actor on the Singapore Tamil TV series Annamalai, which aired on Mediacorp Vasantham TV. Singapore TV host Nithya Rao also appeared in the series. William also worked as an assistant director and casting director for the series.
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Ref/Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Yuttha Medai[11] | Host/Anchor | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2012 | Vazhkai Valvatharke | Supporting Role | Astro Vaanavil | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2012 | Alaigal | Host | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2012 | Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | Lead Role | Astro Vaanavil | Deepavali special |
| 2013 | Kambatthu Pongal | Host | Astro Vaanavil | Pongal special |
| 2013 | Alarum Pookkal | Lead Male - Hero | TV2 | |
| 2013 | Vaanavil Super Star (Backstage with Bala) | Online Host | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2013 | Time Out | Participant | TV2 | |
| 2013 | Marakkappattavargal | Main Cast | Astro Vaanavil | |
| 2014 | Rasikka Rusikka Season 1 | Host | Astro Vinmeen HD | [12] |
| 2014 | Kalai Aranggam | Host / Anchor | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj [13] |
| 2014 | Kaaval Season 1 | Main Cast | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj [14] |
| 2014 | Yen Nanban, Yen Uyir Telemovie | Lead Male - Hero | Astro Vaanavil | Directed by: CJ.Baskar - India |
| 2014 | Velvi 2 | Lead Male - Hero | TV2 | Directed by: MS.Kalai |
| 2014 | Yetho Mayakkam Telemovie | Lead Male - Hero | Astro Vinmeen HD | Directed by: Muralikrishnan Munian |
| 2014 | Annamalai Season 1 | Supporting Role | MediaCorp Vasantham | Singapore Tamil Drama.[15] |
| 2015 | Grahanam Season 1 | Lead Male | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2015 | Gundhu Ponnae | Lead Male - Hero | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2015 | Annamalai Season 2 | Main Cast | MediaCorp Vasantham | Singapore Tamil Drama |
| 2015 | Velicham Season 1 | Host / Anchor | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2015 | Rasikka Rusikka Season 2 | Host / Anchor | Astro Vinmeen HD | |
| 2016 | Marma Camera Telemovie | Main Cast | Astro Vaanavil | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2016 | Velicham Season 2 | Host / Anchor | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2016 | Manggalyam Tanthunanena Telemovie [16] | Lead Male - Hero & Producer | Astro Vaanavil | Produced by: BGW Studios, Directed by: Karthik Shamalan |
| 2017 | Kaaval Season 2 (Police TV Series) | Lead Male | TV2 | Directed by: V. Nagaraj |
| 2017 | Rasikka Rusikka Season 3 | Host / Anchor | Astro Vinmeen HD | |
| 2017 & 2018 | Rasikka Rusikka Season 4 | Host / Anchor | Astro Vinmeen HD |
Awards
In 2017, William received the Best Host/Announcer Award for 2016 and 2017 from the Malaysian MGR Youth Association and Persatuan Peminat ASTRO Vaanavil Negeri Kedah. The award was presented to him by the popular Indian actor/director K. Bhagyaraj. The ceremony took place at SP Inn Hotel, Sungai Petani Kedah on 29 July 2017.
On 29 December 2017, William received the Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Award as Most Promising Artist of the Year 2017. This award was presented to him by Sivaji Ganesan Cultural Society, Malaysia.
On 31 January 2019, William received the Cinefest Malaysia Award as Best Debut Director for his movie titled Neeyum Naanum.
Film Production
- Goodbye[17] | Short Film (Director & Cinematographer) | 2014
- Annamalai Season 1 | Vasantham MediaCorp Singapore (Assistant Director & Casting Director) | 2014
- Annamalai Season 2 | Vasantham MediaCorp Singapore (Assistant Director & Casting Director) | 2015
- Annamalai Season 3 | Vasantham MediaCorp Singapore (Assistant Director & Casting Director) | 2016
- Manggalyam Tanthunanena Telemovie[18] | Astro Vaanavil (Producer - BGW Studios) | 2016
- Neeyum Naanum - Feature Film | Malaysian Tamil Movie (Film Director) (Production & Distribution by BGW Studios) | 2017
Music Videos
William directed music videos starting in 2017.
| Year | Title | Director | Singer | Music Composer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama[8] | Bala Ganapathi William | Bala Ganapathi William | Lawrence Soosai | Santesh & Sheezay |
| 2017 | Yehnulle[19] | Bala Ganapathi William | Anjali | Sundrra | Maney Villanz |
| 2017 | Nanba Vaa[20] | Bala Ganapathi William | Pillay Asbalan | Jose Franklin | Yuwaji |
| 2018 | Pen Azha Vendam[21] | Bala Ganapathi William | Datin Sri Shaila Nair feat Magen Vikadakavi & Aneithazef | R.Lawrence | Jai Alamandra Quest |
| 2018 | Intha Kaadhale Venam[22] | Bala Ganapathi William | Bala Ganapathi William | Shane Extreme | Bala Ganapathi William |
| 2018 | Saaral Katru[23] | Bala Ganapathi William | Pillay Asbalan | Jose Franklin | Orchid Studios, Chennai |
| 2018 | Ladybird[24] | Bala Ganapathi William | DK Dinesh Kumar | Princeten Charles, Germany | Psychomantra |
| 2018 | Socks Bala[25] | Bala Ganapathi William | Santesh | Santesh | Santesh |
| 2018 | Bells[26] | Bala Ganapathi William | Buggimaan | Killadi Music | Buggimaan |
| 2019 | Darling Ille[27] | Bala Ganapathi William | Taiping Vicky | Santesh | Gana Deena |
| 2019 | Niagara[28] | Bala Ganapathi William | Jigunnamaan | Killadi Music | Psychomantra |
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Bala Ganapathi William on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "NEEYUM NAANUM Movie (Official Teaser 1) - Bala Ganapathi William | Jasmin Michael" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Neeyum Naanum Movie – Official First Look Poster". 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Pavithra - Po Nagal Podhume | Official music video | Soma Kanthan" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Neeyum Naanum" – via www.imdb.com.
- "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama - Bala Ganapathi William (Music Video) | Bigg Boss Mugen Rao | Subashini". Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2017 – via www.youtube.com.
- "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama Song Lyrics – Bala Ganapathi William". 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama (Single) by Bala Ganapathi William". Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020 – via music.apple.com.
- "Yuttha Medai Grand Finals [LIVE]" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "TV - Lifestyle | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "KK Khanna | About". Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "Newcomer stars in Tamil epic drama". The Straits Times. 24 December 2014. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "GOODBYE - A Silent Short Film by Bala Ganapathi William (Not an award winning short film)" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Manggalyam Tanthunanena - Teaser | ASTRO Vaanavil | Bala Ganapathi William | Reneetha Veeraya" – via www.youtube.com.
- "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
- "Nanba Vaa - Pillay Asbalan (Official Music Video) | Mugen Rao" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Pen Azha Vendam - Datin Sri Shaila V feat. Magen Vikadakavi & Aneithazef" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Intha Kaadhale Venam - Bala Ganapathi William | Yasmin Nadiah (Official Music Video) | Shane Extreme" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Saaral Katru - Pillay Asbalan (Official Music Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Ladybird - Official Music Video (DK Dinesh Kumar feat Psychomantra)" – via www.youtube.com.
- "SOCKS BALA – Santesh | Bala Ganapathi William (Neeyum Naanum) | 2018" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Buggimaan - BELLS" – via www.youtube.com.
- "DARLING iLLE - Santesh | Taiping Vicky (Official Music Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
- "Niagara - Jigunnamaan ft Joanna Joseph | Tamil | VIRAL Music Video Full | 4K" – via www.youtube.com.