Balaji Sakthivel began as an assistant director of popular director S. Shankar. In 2002, he directed his first film, Samurai for Vikram - however despite receiving positive reviews, did not make it big at the box-office. After a two-year break, he released Kaadhal under the S Pictures banner, the production house of Shankar. The film starring relatively new actors, Bharath and Sandhya made it big at the box-office and earned the stars and the director instant recognition. His Vazhakku Enn 18/9 won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.Balaji Sakthivel is married to Dr. L.R.S. Kalanithi, who is an Associate Professor of English and Vice-principal (Students' Affairs) of Guru Nanak College (Autonomous), Chennai. They have two children, a daughter (B.K.Koushi Mahalakshmi) born in 2004 and a son (B.K.Vidhyadharan) born in 2007. Their native is Dindigul. They were residing in Virugambakkam, Chennai. But have recently moved to a nearby neighbourhood Ramapuram, Chennai.