Bala Ganapathi William
Bala Ganapathi William | |
|---|---|
 Bala Ganapathi William at Undercover Rascals 2 film. | |
| Born | Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia |
| Other names | BGW |
| Occupations | TV presenter, actor, director |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | BGW – YouTube |
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.[1]
Early life and education
William was born in Sungai Petani, Kedah to Anglo-Indian William Boniface Netto and a Hindu mother.[1] He did his primary education at SJK (T) Saraswathy and his secondary education at SMK Bandar Sungai Petani.[2] He moved to Kuala Lumpur to attend university where he began attending auditions.[1]
Career
He first appeared on television in 2009 in a program titled Alaram 2 on ASTRO Vaanavil, at the age of 19.[3][1] He made his debut as a host on a TV anchor in a dance competition titled Yuttha Medai in 2012.[1] He made his acting debut in a TV drama titled Vazhkai Valvatharke which was aired on ASTRO Vaanavil in 2012.[1]
In 2014, he started his production company BGW.[1] The cooking show Rasikka Rusikka (2014-2019) gave William recognition as a host.[1] BGW worked as an actor and assistant director on the Singapore Tamil TV series Annamalai (2014), which aired on Mediacorp Vasantham TV.[1] He collaborated with Lawrence Soosai for the song "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama".[1] He made his directorial debut with Neeyum Naanum (2018).[1]
Awards
In April 2019, William received twin awards from MICA Awards 2019 as the Best Debut Director & Best Movie for Neeyum Naanum.[4]
Discography
| Year | Film | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | N/a | "Kaadhal Enbathu Saabama" | Also music video director | [1] |
| 2018 | N/a | "Intha Kaadhale Venam" | Also music video director | |
| 2018 | Neeyum Naanum | "Tokkam Illaiye" | Also music video director |
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes. and Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Yuttha Medai | Host | Astro Vaanavil | previously known as Aattam 100 Vagai[2] |
| 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 | Lead | ||
| 2014 | Kalai Aranggam | Host | TV2 | |
| Yen Nanban, Yen Uyir | Astro Vaanavil | Lead; telemovie | ||
| Velvi 2 | TV2 | Lead | ||
| Yetho Mayakkam | Astro Vinmeen HD | Lead; telemovie | ||
| 2014–2019 | Rasikka Rusikka Seasons 1-5 | Host | Astro Vinmeen HD | [5] |
| 2014–2017 | Kaaval Seasons 1-2 | TV2 | Lead | |
| 2014–2015 | 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 | ||
| 2015–2016 | 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 director | |
| 2020 | Azhagin Azhaghi Beauty Pageant Season 1 | Host | ||
| 2021 | Athigaari | Inspector Kathirvelan | Astro First | Telefilm[6] |
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Goodbye | Bala Ganapathi William | Short film; also producer and cinematographer |
| Vivaagarathu | Revathy Bawadass Kumar | ||
| 2016 | Vinay | Ben G | Direct-to-video release |
| 2018 | Villavan: The Vigilante | Vassan | |
| 2018 | Neeyum Naanum | Bala Ganapathi William | Also producer |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director | Singer | Music composer | Lyricist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Unakkulle Mirugam – Cover Video | BGW | K.G. Ranjith | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Na. Muthukumar | |
| 2017 | Kaadhal Embathu Saabama | Bala Ganapathi | Lawrence Soosai | Sheezay & Santesh | ||
| Yehnulle | Anjali | Sundrra | Maney Villanz | |||
| Nanba Vaa | Pillay Asbalan | Jose Franklin | Yuwaji | |||
| 2018 | 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 | [2] | ||
| Ladybird | DK Dinesh Kumar | Princeten Charles, Germany | Psychomantra | |||
| Socks Bala | Santesh | Santesh | Santesh | [7] | ||
| Bells | Buggimaan | Killadi Music | Buggimaan | |||
| 2019 | Darling Ille | Taiping Vicky | Santesh | Gana Deena | ||
| Niagara | Jigunnamaan | Killadi Music | Psychomantra |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sathiabalan, S. Indra (3 February 2020). "Content is king". The Sun. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ a b c Murugasan, Kalaivani (25 April 2018). "BGW – A engineering student become a[sic] owner of a production company". M Niaga. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "7 Things You Didn't Know About Bala Ganapathi William AKA BGW". raaga.syok.my.
- ^ "MAJLIS ANUGERAH MALAYSIAN INDIAN CINE AWARDS 2019 (MiCA2019)". Finas. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "The best films and TV shows on Astro to spice up your Deepavali long weekend | Malay Mail". 24 October 2019.
- ^ "Local Tamil film 'Athigaari' arrives just in time for Deepavali". 10 November 2020.
- ^ "WATCH: 'Socks Bala' BY Santesh Feat Bala Ganapathi William". 6 August 2018.