Ghar Banduk Biryani (transl. Home, Gun, Biryani), abbreviated as GBB, is a 2023 Indian Marathi-language action comedy film directed by Hemant Jangal Awtade in his directorial debut, starring Akash Thosar, Sayaji Shinde, Nagraj Manjule, and Sayli Patil in the lead roles. It was jointly produced by Zee Studios and Aatpat Production. The film centres on Pallam, the leader of an who insurgency in the fictional town of Kolagad, where Raju meets Lakshmi. Lakshmi's father insists Raju has a house, but he can't comply. Meanwhile, Inspector Raya Patil's duty in Pune causes issues, leading to his transfer to Kolagad.
Principal photography started in Dussehra in 2021. The majority of the shooting took place in Gaganbawada, along with sporadic scenes filmed in Pune. The score is provided by Vaibhav Deshmukh, and AV Prafullachandra composed the soundtrack album. The film's makers held several events in college and universities throughout Maharashtra to promote the film.
Ghar Banduk Biryani was theatrically released on 7 April 2023. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed over ₹5 crore (US$520,000) worldwide, became the ninth highest grossing Marathi film of 2023. Despite positive reviews, the film underperformed at the box office. It was released on OTT platform ZEE5 on 2 June 2023, along with Hindi, Tamil, Telugu dubbed versions.
Contents
Plot
In the Kolagad region, dacoits led by Commander Pallam terrorise the area with the aim of assassinating the village MLA. However, the situation becomes personal when Pallam's lover, Maria, who is also a dacoit, is fatally shot. Inspector Raya Patil, known for his integrity, is transferred to the region after confronting the sons of a senior minister for harassing women. Raya's wife, Namrata, unhappy with his frequent transfers and unwavering honesty, decides to separate from him. Meanwhile, Raju, a chef at a small dhaba, falls in love with Laxmi, but her father insists that he must own a house within a few months, an impossible task as Raju is an orphan. Pallam's associate, George, suggests a temporary separation due to increased police scrutiny and food shortages, but Pallam, driven by revenge for Maria's death, refuses. Pallam's gang kidnaps Raju from his workplace along with food supplies after recognising that his biryani resembles Maria's cooking. As Raya takes charge of the Kolagad police station, he struggles to balance his personal life, while Raju seeks a gun to pose as a dacoit, hoping to surrender to the police and claim a reward so that he can be with Laxmi. Pallam, consumed by grief over Maria and her culinary skills, wants Raju to join his gang.
Cast
Akash Thosar as Raju Achari, a Chef
Sayaji Shinde as Pallam, the leader of Naxalite
Nagraj Manjule as Police Inspector Raya Patil
Deepti Devi as Namrata, Raya Patil's wife
Sayli Patil as Lakshmi
Shwetambari Ghute as Mariya
Vitthal Nagnath Kale as George
Tanaji Galgunde as Vishnu
Somnath Awghade as Soma
Pravin Dalimbkar as Gura
Priyanshu Chetri as Babu Gavas
Subhash Kambale as Kaka Kero
Niraj Jamgade as Michael
Santosh Vhadgir
Suraj Pawar
Arbaz Shaikh
Lalit Matale
Kiran Pralhad Thoke
Kishore Nilewad
Girish Krishnat Koravi
Charan Jadhav
Ashish Khachane
Ashok Kangude
Kishor Kadam as MLA's PA
Production
Development
Before the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown in India, Manjule possessed the script for the film, originally titled solely as "Biryani". At that juncture, Manjule harbored reservations about the narrative's efficacy. However, encouraged by Awtade, the storyline underwent a significant overhaul, culminating in the finalized title, "Ghar Banduk Biryani". Zee Studios made an official announcement regarding the film on Dussehra 2021, accompanied by a teaser release.
Casting
Akash Thosar and Sayli Patil, who previously starred together in Jhund, take on the lead roles in the film. Nagraj Manjule and Sayaji Shinde also join in pivotal roles. Initially, Manjule intended to portray the Naxalite commander, a role eventually taken on by Sayaji Shinde. Supporting roles feature Tanaji Galgunde, Deepti Devi, Shwetambari Ghute, Vitthal Kale, and Arbaz Shaikh. The poster released in March 2023 introduces Somnath Awghade and Suraj Pawar, both of whom previously appeared in Fandry alongside Manjule. Several of Nagaraj Manjule's colleagues from the police force portray cops in the film.
Filming
A major part of the film takes place in the forest, so the location was very important. The makers visited the forests of Khopoli, Bhor, Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh etc. Gaganbawada in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Kolhapur district was decided for filming. 80 percent of the film was shot at Gaganbawada.
Post-production
Post-production was wrapped up in December 2022.
Marketing
The first teaser of Ghar Banduk Biryani was released on YouTube on 15 October 2021 by Aatpat Production, followed by the second teaser on 25 October 2022 by Zee Studios. The film’s official trailer was unveiled on 15 March 2023.
Promotional activities for the film began on 14 March 2023, with a statewide tour across Maharashtra, covering cities such as Baramati, Islampur, Kolhapur, Jalna, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Chandrapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Pandharpur, and Mangalwedha. The campaign concluded in Mumbai with a visit to the Siddhivinayak Temple.
Release
Theatrical
Ghar Banduk Biryani was theatrically released on 7 April 2023 in Marathi, along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Initially scheduled for 30 March 2023, the film's release was postponed to avoid clashing with Bholaa. Manjule announced the new release date as 7 April 2023, on 11 February 2023.
Home media
The digital streaming rights of the film are acquired by ZEE5 and was premiered on 2 June 2023.
Reception
Critical reception
Yugandhar Tajne of Sakal gave the film 4 stars out of 5 stars, praising director Hamant Jangal Awtade for his skillful storytelling, effective dialogue delivery, strong performances, musical score, composition, and cinematography. Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India rated it 3.5 stars, describing it as a perfect big-screen entertainer and noting the refreshing presence of a Marathi film in the action drama genre.
Madhura Nerurkar of Maharashtra Times gave 3 out of 5 rating and write "This artwork excels in storytelling, action sequences, and background music, yet certain scenes linger unnecessarily. The actors deliver commendable performances, alongside impressive cinematography and captivating background music, enhancing the overall narrative flow." Shrikrishna Iyer of Koimoi gave 3 rating praised performances of Sayaji Shinde and Nagraj Manjule while criticised old cliché action scenes, said "Despite a few oversights in the story, debutante director Hemant Awtade made an entertaining film to watch. If you like dark humour and action films, Ghar Banduk Biryani is a good watch." Shaheen Irani of OTT Play rated 3/5 and wrote "Even if loud, the film is entertaining for most parts. The music is rare and does not disturb your viewing experience."
Scroll.in writes "Ghar Banduk Biryani, featuring a lovable rebel commander, an expert biryani cook and a principled police officer, may be the world's first song-and-dance Maoist comedy film. Debutant director Hemant Jangal Awtade anticipates almost black humour, elaborately choreographed action scenes and minor subplots." Akhilesh Neralekar of Loksatta gives a positive review and writes "Ghar Banduk Biryani will certainly be considered as a different experiment for the exciting setting of a simple story, but in terms of business, we sincerely feel that Nagaraj Manjule should not be subjected to a Jhund-like situation again." Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint wrote "Ghar Banduk Biryani portrays the good and bad of an otherwise gray world." Rutuja Deshmukh from Film Companion wrote "Ghar Banduk Biryani is a rare commercial Marathi film to delve into the Maoist issue and engage with the humane side of a political turmoil that is complicated by oppressive tactics on part of the government and administration, as well as caste atrocities."
Box office
The film collected ₹62 lakh (US$64,000) on its opening day and weekend collection is ₹2.23 crore (US$230,000). The film earned ₹2.25 crore in five days. The film grossed over ₹5 crore (US$520,000) in its final theatrical run.
Music
AV Prafullachandra has given music and background score for this film. The song "Gun Gun" was released first, all versions of this song crossed 4 million plus views on YouTube. The second featured song "Aaha Hero" is choreographed by Ganesh Acharya. The "Title track" is sung by Bollywood singer Mohit Chauhan and written by Vaibhav Deshmukh. The final released song was "Haan Ki Badiv" sung by AV Prafullachandra, Manish Rajgire and Sahil Kulkarni, entirely filmed on Nagraj Manjule.