Development

Manjule had the script for the film before the Covid-19 lockdown in India and title was only Biryani.^[9] At that time Manjule did not like the storytelling but on Awtade's insistence the story was rewritten and title 'Ghar Banduk Biryani' was confirmed.^[10] Zee Studios had officially announced the film on Dussehra 2021 with a teaser.^[11] Post-production of the film was wrapped up in December 2022.^[12]

Casting

Akash Thosar and Sayli Patil were cast as the leads, which marks their second collaboration after Jhund.^[13] Nagraj Manjule and Sayaji Shinde also playing pivotal roles in the film.^[14] Initially Manjule planned to play the role of Naxalite commander, which is played by Sayaji Shinde.^[15] Tanaji Galgunde also featured in the film.^[16] Other cast revealed via posters in March 2023 include Somnath Awghade and Suraj Pawar, both are appeared in Fandry.^[17] Some of Nagaraj Manjule's fellow police officers who play the role of cops in the film are real life cops.^[18]

Filming

Most scenes are shot at Gaganbawada

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.^[19]

Social media

Sand Art by Jayesh Borse; In the painting, Sayaji Shinde (left), Nagraj Manjule (centre), Akash Thosar (right).

The first teaser of Ghar Banduk Biryani was released on YouTube on 15 October 2021 by Aatpat Production and second teaser was uploaded on 25 October 2022 in by Zee Studios while trailer was coming on 15 March 2023.^[20][21] The film is marked to be second Pan-Indian film in Marathi film industry after Har Har Mahadev.^[22]

Promotional tours

The film promotion crew visited colleges in different Maharashtra cities as scheduled beginning on March 14, 2023. In the first schedule, Baramati and Islampur (Sangali) were included. In the second schedule, Kolhapur, Jalna, Mumbai, Nagpur,^[23] Nashik, and Chandrapur were visited. The last programme saw them arrive in Chatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune,^[24] Navi Mumbai, and Solapur.^[25] Manjule and Sayaji Shinde spent time speaking with the Chandrapur police officers from the C16 Battalion who had dealt with the Naxalites directly during the promotion there.^[26] Akash Thosar and Sayli Patil participated in the Dombivali Gudi Padwa Shobha Yatra 2023 on Gudi Padwa to promote the movie.^[27] The team also travelled to Pandharpur, where they visited the Vithal temple, had a blessing from Vithoba.^[28] The team then travelled to Mangalwedha, where Pandharpur MLA Samadhan Awtade was present.^[29] The crew went to Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, where Sayaji Shinde's Sahyadri Devarai and Siddhivinayak Temple Trust together launched the Vriksha Prasad Yojana.^[30]

Theatrical

Ghar Banduk Biryani was theatrically released on 7 April 2023 in Marathi, along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.^[31] The film's release date was initially set for March 30, 2023, but it was delayed to avoid competing with Bholaa. Munjule announced the new release date on February 11, 2023, is April 7, 2023.^[6]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film are acquired by ZEE5 and was premiered on June 2, 2023.^[32][33]

Critical reception

Priyanka Kulkarni of ABP Majha rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.^[34] Yugandhar Tajne of Sakal rated 4 out of 5 stars and praised the director Hamant Jangal Awtade for his story, dialogues, acting, songs, music, composition and cinematography.^[35]

Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India rated 3.5 out of 5 and addressed as a Big screen perfect entertainer experience and it's refreshing to see a Marathi film in the action drama zone.^[36] Sarav Mahind of Urbanly gave 3.5 out of 5, Mahind praising and says the soundtrack itself sounds like a character in the film, While the cinematography gives you an idea of its purpose from the very first shot and the story slowly and gracefully gives you a taste of its characters and setting. What the film lacks is the dragged introduction of the characters in the first half. The first half is a stretch and the second half is a rollercoaster ride.^[37]

Madhura Nerurkar of Maharashtra Times gave 3 out of 5 rating and write "This piece of art has been excellent at the levels of story, action, background music. However, some scenes are dragged out. Good acting by the actors, good cinematography, impressive background music have helped the story to carry."^[38] 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."^[39] The OTTPlay 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."^[40]

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."^[41] Akhilesh Nerlekar of Loksatta gives a positive review and writes "Even though the tagline is "Aata Chalach Bhighadvaychiy..."(Now it's time to spoil it...), it cannot be confidently said that the movie film rich in the performances of Nagraj Manjule, Akash Thosar, Sayaji Shinde, has succeeded in diverting the audience to the theatres. In today's world of 30-second entertainment, it is not an easy task to keep the audience in one place for almost three hours. Director Hemant Avatade has achieved some success in this regard. 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."^[42] Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint write "Ghar Banduk Biryani is a Marathi film that portrays the good and bad of an otherwise gray world."^[43]

Box office

The film collected ₹62 lakh (US$78,000) on its opening day and weekend collection is ₹2.23 crore (US$280,000).^[44] The film grossed over ₹5.89 crore (US$740,000) at box office in Maharashtra.^[45][46]

Track listing