Bala Ganapathi William


Bala Ganapathi William is a Malaysian of Indian origin who is an actor, anchorman and producer in Malaysian Tamil Cinema and Malaysian Indian Cinema. 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.

Early life and education

Bala Ganapathi William was born to a Malaysian Indian family in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He finished his primary education at SJK 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. William directed the film under BGW Studios in association with HK Network.
YearTitleLanguageDirectorNote
2014VivaagarathuTamilTHR RevathyReleased on June 2014 nationwide cinemas in Malaysia
2014VinayTamilBen GDVD Movie
2014PavithraTamilSoma KanthanProject Dropped
2018Neeyum NaanumTamilBala Ganapathi William20 September 2018

Songs

William made his debut as a singer in his first single titled "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabma". 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.
YearTitleLanguageDirectorNote
2017"Kaadhal" SaabamaTamil SongMusic Video Directed by: Bala Ganapathi WilliamReleased worldwide on 3 August 2017
2018"Intha Kaadhale Venam"Tamil SongMusic Video Directed by: Bala Ganapathi WilliamReleased worldwide on 21 February 2018
2018"Tokkam Illaiye"Tamil SongMovie Directed by: Bala Ganapathi Williama 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.
YearTitleRoleChannelRef/Note
2012Yuttha MedaiHost/AnchorAstro Vaanavil
2012Vazhkai ValvatharkeSupporting RoleAstro VaanavilDirected by: V. Nagaraj
2012AlaigalHostTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2012Unakkaga Ellam UnakkagaLead RoleAstro VaanavilDeepavali special
2013Kambatthu PongalHostAstro VaanavilPongal special
2013Alarum PookkalLead Male - HeroTV2
2013Vaanavil Super Star Online HostAstro Vaanavil
2013Time OutParticipantTV2
2013MarakkappattavargalMain CastAstro Vaanavil
2014Rasikka Rusikka Season 1HostAstro Vinmeen HD
2014Kalai AranggamHost / AnchorTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2014Kaaval Season 1Main CastTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2014Yen Nanban, Yen Uyir TelemovieLead Male - HeroAstro VaanavilDirected by: CJ.Baskar - India
2014Velvi 2Lead Male - HeroTV2Directed by: MS.Kalai
2014Yetho Mayakkam TelemovieLead Male - HeroAstro Vinmeen HDDirected by: Muralikrishnan Munian
2014Annamalai Season 1Supporting RoleMediaCorp VasanthamSingapore Tamil Drama.
2015Grahanam Season 1Lead MaleTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2015Gundhu PonnaeLead Male - HeroTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2015Annamalai Season 2Main CastMediaCorp VasanthamSingapore Tamil Drama
2015Velicham Season 1Host / AnchorTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2015Rasikka Rusikka Season 2Host / AnchorAstro Vinmeen HD
2016Marma Camera TelemovieMain CastAstro VaanavilDirected by: V. Nagaraj
2016Velicham Season 2Host / AnchorTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2016Manggalyam Tanthunanena TelemovieLead Male - Hero & ProducerAstro VaanavilProduced by: BGW Studios, Directed by: Karthik Shamalan
2017Kaaval Season 2 Lead MaleTV2Directed by: V. Nagaraj
2017Rasikka Rusikka Season 3Host / AnchorAstro Vinmeen HD
2017 & 2018Rasikka Rusikka Season 4Host / AnchorAstro 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

William directed music videos starting in 2017.
YearTitleDirectorSingerMusic ComposerLyricist
2017Kaadhal SaabamaBala Ganapathi WilliamBala Ganapathi WilliamLawrence SoosaiSantesh & Sheezay
2017YehnulleBala Ganapathi WilliamAnjaliSundrraManey Villanz
2017Nanba VaaBala Ganapathi WilliamPillay AsbalanJose FranklinYuwaji
2018Pen Azha VendamBala Ganapathi WilliamDatin Sri Shaila Nair feat Magen Vikadakavi & AneithazefR.LawrenceJai Alamandra Quest
2018Intha Kaadhale VenamBala Ganapathi WilliamBala Ganapathi WilliamShane ExtremeBala Ganapathi William
2018Saaral KatruBala Ganapathi WilliamPillay AsbalanJose FranklinOrchid Studios, Chennai
2018LadybirdBala Ganapathi WilliamDK Dinesh KumarPrinceten Charles, GermanyPsychomantra
2018Socks BalaBala Ganapathi WilliamSanteshSanteshSantesh
2018BellsBala Ganapathi WilliamBuggimaanKilladi MusicBuggimaan
2019Darling IlleBala Ganapathi WilliamTaiping VickySanteshGana Deena
2019NiagaraBala Ganapathi WilliamJigunnamaanKilladi MusicPsychomantra