Bala Ganapathi William, known professionally as BGW, is a Malaysian television host, actor, director, singer and producer. Bala Ganapathi William founded BGW Studios which specialises in advertising, Malaysian Tamil film production and distribution, music, and digital content.
Early life and education William was born in Sungai Petani, Kedah to Anglo-Indian William Boniface Netto and a Hindu mother. He did his primary education at SJK (T) Saraswathy and his secondary education at SMK Bandar Sungai Petani. He moved to Kuala Lumpur to attend university where he began attending auditions.
Career 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 in 2012. He made his acting debut in a TV drama titled Vazhkai Valvatharke which was aired on ASTRO Vaanavil in 2012.
In 2014, he started his production company BGW. The cooking show Rasikka Rusikka (2014-2019) gave William recognition as a host. BGW worked as an actor and assistant director on the Singapore Tamil TV series Annamalai (2014), which aired on Mediacorp Vasantham TV. He collaborated with Lawrence Soosai for the song "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama". He made his directorial debut with Neeyum Naanum (2018).
Awards In April 2019, William received twin awards from MICA Awards 2019 as the Best Debut Director & Best Movie for Neeyum Naanum.
Discography YearFilmTitleNotes 2017 "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama" Also music video director 2018 "Intha Kaadhale Venam" Also music video director2018 Neeyum Naanum "Tokkam Illaiye" Also music video director
Filmography
Television YearTitleRoleChannelNotes. and Ref.2012 Yuttha Medai Host Astro Vaanavil previously known as Aattam 100 Vagai Vazhkai Valvatharke Supporting role Alaigal Host TV2 Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Astro Vaanavil Deepavali special; lead 2013 Kambatthu Pongal Host Astro Vaanavil Pongal special Alarum Pookkal TV2 Lead; also known as 3 Doctors Astro Vaanavil Super Star (Backstage with BALA) Online Host Astro Ulagam Time Out Participant TV2 Marakkappattavargal Astro Vaanavil Lead2014 Kalai Aranggam Host TV2 Yen Nanban, Yen Uyir Astro Vaanavil Lead; telemovie Velvi 2 TV2 Lead Yetho Mayakkam Astro Vinmeen HD Lead; telemovie 20142019 Rasikka Rusikka Seasons 1-5 Host Astro Vinmeen HD 20142017 Kaaval Seasons 1-2 TV2 Lead 20142015 Annamalai Seasons 1-2 Venu MediaCorp Vasantham Singapore Tamil Drama;also assistant and casting director 2015 Grahanam Season 1 TV2 Lead Gundhu Ponnae TV2 Lead 20152016 Velicham Seasons 1-2 Host TV2 2016 Marma Camera Astro Vaanavil Lead; telemovie Manggalyam Tanthunanena Gowtham Astro Vaanavil Lead;Telemovie produced by: BGW Studios 2019 Adavadi Deepavali Astro Vinmeen HD Also director2020 Azhagin Azhaghi Beauty Pageant Season 1 Host 2021 Athigaari Inspector Kathirvelan Astro First Telefilm
Film YearTitleDirectorNotes2014 Goodbye Bala Ganapathi William Short film;also producer and cinematographer Vivaagarathu Revathy Bawadass Kumar 2016 Vinay Ben G Direct-to-video release2018 Villavan: The Vigilante Vassan 2018Neeyum Naanum Bala Ganapathi William Also producer
Music videos YearTitleDirectorSingerMusic composerLyricist 2012 Unakkulle Mirugam – Cover Video BGW K.G. Ranjith Yuvan Shankar Raja Na. Muthukumar2017 Kaadhal Embathu Saabama Bala Ganapathi Lawrence Soosai Sheezay & Santesh Yehnulle Anjali Sundrra Maney Villanz Nanba Vaa Pillay Asbalan Jose Franklin Yuwaji2018 Pen Azha Vendam Datin Sri Shaila Nair feat Magen Vikadakavi & Aneithazef R.Lawrence Jai Alamandra Quest Intha Kaadhale Venam Bala Ganapathi Shane Extreme BGW Saaral Katru Pillay Asbalan Jose Franklin Orchid Studios, Chennai Ladybird DK Dinesh Kumar Princeten Charles, Germany Psychomantra Socks Bala Santesh Santesh Santesh Bells Buggimaan Killadi Music Buggimaan2019 Darling Ille Taiping Vicky Santesh Gana Deena Niagara Jigunnamaan Killadi Music Psychomantra
References