R. Balki

Last updated

R. Balki
R. Balki.jpg
Born (1964-04-16) 16 April 1964 (age 60)
Other namesR. Balakrishnan
Occupation(s)Former Group Chairman Lowe Lintas, film director, screenwriter
Spouse
(m. 2007)

R. Balakrishnan, popularly known as R. Balki, [2] [3] (born 16 April 1964) is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and former Group Chairman of the advertising agency Lowe Lintas (India). He is best known for directing the films Cheeni Kum (2007), Paa (2009), Pad Man (2018), Chup: Revenge of The Artist (2022), and Ghoomer (2023).

Contents

Career

Balki wrote and directed the 2007 comedy-drama film Cheeni Kum , starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu, which marked his directorial debut. [4] His second directorial was the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Paa , produced by Sunil Manchanda and Abhishek Bachchan which was released on 4 December 2009, starring Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan. The film received multiple nominations in addition to winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi the following year. In 2015, he directed the satirical drama Shamitabh which would mark his third collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan. The film also starred Tamil actor Dhanush and marked the acting debut Akshara Haasan, daughter of actor-director Kamal Haasan. [5] In 2016, he directed the comedy-drama Ki and Ka which starred Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. [6] In 2018, he directed the social comedy Pad Man starring Akshay Kumar and Radhika Apte. The film was based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, which he co-produced, scripted and directed. [7] [8] In 2019, he co-produced and scripted the 2019 film Mission Mangal , in addition to serving as a creative director. [9] His next directorial was the thriller Chup : Revenge Of The Artist, starring Dulquer Salmaan, Sunny Deol and Shreya Dhanwanthary in lead roles. The film revolved around a serial killer who targets film critics. In 2023, he wrote and directed and the sports drama Ghoomer starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher. It premiered at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Personal life

Balki was born on 16 April 1964 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. Prior to his filmmaking career, he worked in advertising and served as the charmain of advertising agency Lowe Lintas. In 2016, he retired from advertising to focus on his filmmaking career.

Balki married filmmaker Gauri Shinde in 2007. [10] [11]

Filmography

YearTitleCredited asNotes
Director Producer Writer
2007 Cheeni Kum YesNoYes
2009 Paa YesNoYes
2012 English Vinglish NoYesNo
2015 Shamitabh YesYesYes
2016 Ki & Ka YesYesYes
2018 Pad Man YesYesYes
2019 Mission Mangal NoNoYes
2022 Chup: Revenge of The Artist YesYesYes
2023 Lust Stories 2 YesNoYesSegment: Made for Each Other
Ghoomer YesYesYes

Awards and nominations

Paa received 14 nominations at the 16th Star Screen Awards [12] of which the film won five awards. It also won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[ citation needed ]

For Pad Man , he won the award for Best Director at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2018.[ citation needed ]Padman also won the National Film Award for the Best Film on Social Issues. [13]

YearAwardCategoryFilm(s)ResultRef.
2008 9th IIFA Awards Best Story Cheeni Kum Nominated [14]
Producers Guild Film Awards Best StoryNominated [15]
Best DialoguesNominated [15]
14th Screen Awards Most Promising Debut DirectorNominated [16]
Stardust Awards Hottest Young Film MakerNominated [17]
11th Zee Cine Awards Most Promising Debut Director Nominated [18]
2010 55th Filmfare Awards Best Director Paa Nominated [19]
Best Screenplay Nominated [19]
11th IIFA Awards Best Director Nominated [20]
Best Story Nominated [20]
57th National Film Awards Best Feature Film in Hindi Won [21]
16th Screen Awards Best Director Nominated [22]
Best Story Nominated [22]
Best Screenplay Nominated [22]
Best Dialogue Nominated [22]
2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Best Director Pad Man Nominated [23]
2019 66th National Film Awards Best Film on Other Social Issues Won [24]

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References

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