In another shocking split-up in the Kollywood town, popular director Bala has announced divorce from his wife Muthumalar, ending 18-years of marriage. The couple has a daughter named Prarthana. 55-year-old Bala had married Muthumalar on July 5, 2004, in Madurai and he had secured a divorce from his wife on March 5 in a family court in Chennai. 

According to reports, the couple had lived separately for the past four years and filed for their divorce on mutual consent. The split-up has got added to the store of the slew of separation in the cinema industry beyond Kollywood and the recent split-up was between actor Dhanush and Aishwaryaa. It has been reported that Bala and Muthumalar had a souring relationship for the past few years over differences of opinion. 

While Bala was busy with his work, Muthumalar was often seen hanging out with her friends in the industry including singer Saindhavi and Aarti Ravi, the wife of actor Jayam Ravi. As their separation had shocked fraternities in the industry, it has been reported that the couple had decided to co-parent their daughter. 

Bala has been one of the ace directors of Tamil cinema. Making a debut as the director through the movie 'Sethu', Bala has scripted a milestone with the finest creation of the movies including 'Nanda', 'Pithamagan', 'Avan Ivan', and 'Paradesi'. On the work front, Bala's last project was Dhruv Vikram's 'Varmaa'. He is now getting ready for the next project with actor Suriya.