Balkadu

Balkadu is a 2015 Indian Marathi language political action film. The film stars Umesh Kamat, Neha Pendse and Prasad Oak in lead roles and stars Supriya Pathare, Tiku Talsania, Pushkar Shrotri, Anand Ingale in supporting roles. Balkadu was directed by Atul Kale and produced by Swapna Patker. Balkadu is loosely expected to be based on the ideologies of Indian politician Bal Thackeray, the film contains voice clippings of Thackeray's political career.

Cast

Umesh Kamat as Balkrishna Patil
Neha Pendse as Sai
Prasad Oak
Supriya Pathare as Balkrishna's mother
Pushkar Shrotri as Nandu Patil, Balkrishna's father
Mahesh Shetty as Jehangir Singh
Anand Ingale
Tiku Talsania as Principal
Bhalchandra Kadam as Peon
Atul Kale as Local Political Leader who is slapped by Nandu Patil
Production

Casting

, who has acted previously in Bollywood movies like Andaz Apna Apna and Ishq was signed on for the film as his debut in the Marathi cinema. Tiku portrays the role of a school principal in the film.

Music

Soundtrack for Balkadu was composed by the duo Ajit-Samir who have worked on Kaksparsh previously and have contributed to movies like Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy as the trio Ajit-Atul-Sameer.

Release

Balkadu released on the birth anniversary of late Balasaheb Thackeray on 23 January 2015.

Critical reception

Upon release, Balkadu opened to negative reviews from critics. Pune Mirror gave the film 2 stars out of five, stating "I am sure his life and ideology can be well expressed in a film. Sadly, Balkadu is not that film. At best, Balkadu is a case of wishful thinking. At worst, it's a propaganda the Sena does not need at the moment."