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IMDbPro

R Balki

  • Writer
  • Director
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
R Balki
R. Balki talks about creating the world of 'Ghoomer', the challenges they overcame as a team and so much more!
Play clip4:10
R. Balki on Creating the World of 'Ghoomer'
1 Video
2 Photos
R. Balakrishnan, also known as Balki, is a prominent Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his unconventional storytelling style.

After completing his education, Balki began his career in advertising and made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Cheeni Kum (2007) in 2007. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu and received widespread appreciation for its unique storyline and the actors' performances.

Balki's next film, Paa (2009), featured Amitabh Bachchan in a remarkable performance as a child suffering from progeria, a rare genetic disorder. The film was a commercial success and won several awards, including the 2009 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Balki continued to make thought-provoking films, such as Shamitabh (2015), which explored the relationship between a mute actor and his voice actor, and Ki & Ka (2016), which challenged gender stereotypes by depicting a house husband and a career-oriented wife. His film, Pad Man (2018), addressed menstruation's stigma and promoted menstrual hygiene.

His short film called Chup (2022) was released in February 2021. Chup has been widely appreciated by critics and audiences alike for its sensitive portrayal of a complex issue and its ability to spark a conversation around it.

Besides his filmmaking career, Balki wrote several successful ad campaigns, including the famous Daag Ache Hain for Surf Excel. He also produced the TV series Chup (2022) and the film Mission Mangal (2019)).

Balki is married to Gauri Shinde, a renowned director and filmmaker. The two first met when Balki was looking for a writer to work on his ad films, and Shinde was recommended to him. They eventually fell in love and married in 2007. Despite their busy schedules, they collaborated on several projects, with Balki producing Shinde's films and Shinde working on the scripts for Balki's films.
BornApril 16, 1964
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornApril 16, 1964
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 14 nominations total

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Known for

    Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in Paa (2009)
    Paa
    7.1
    • Writer(as R. Balki)
    • 2009
    Akshay Kumar in Pad Man (2018)
    Pad Man
    7.9
    • Writer(as R. Balki)
    • 2018
    Kajol, Neena Gupta, Tillotama Shome, Kumud Mishra, Amruta Subhash, Tamannaah Bhatia, Angad Bedi, Vijay Varma, and Mrunal Thakur in Lust Stories 2 (2023)
    Lust Stories 2
    5.8
    • Writer(segment "Made For Each Other", as R. Balki)
    • 2023
    Amitabh Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in Ghoomer (2023)
    Ghoomer
    7.5
    • Writer(as R. Balki)
    • 2023

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Writer



    • Amitabh Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in Ghoomer (2023)
      Ghoomer
      7.5
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2023
    • Kajol, Neena Gupta, Tillotama Shome, Kumud Mishra, Amruta Subhash, Tamannaah Bhatia, Angad Bedi, Vijay Varma, and Mrunal Thakur in Lust Stories 2 (2023)
      Lust Stories 2
      5.8
      • screenplay by
      • story by (segment "Made For Each Other", as R. Balki)
      • 2023
    • Pooja Bhatt, Sunny Deol, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Dulquer Salmaan in Chup (2022)
      Chup
      7.5
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2022
    • Sharman Joshi, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, and Kirti Kulhari in Mission Mangal (2019)
      Mission Mangal
      6.5
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2019
    • Akshay Kumar in Pad Man (2018)
      Pad Man
      7.9
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2018
    • Ki & Ka (2016)
      Ki & Ka
      5.7
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2016
    • Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush in Shamitabh (2015)
      Shamitabh
      6.7
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2015
    • Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in Paa (2009)
      Paa
      7.1
      • written by (as R. Balki)
      • 2009
    • Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, and Paresh Rawal in Cheeni Kum (2007)
      Cheeni Kum
      6.8
      • Writer (as R. Balki)
      • 2007

    Director



    • Amitabh Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in Ghoomer (2023)
      Ghoomer
      7.5
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2023
    • Kajol, Neena Gupta, Tillotama Shome, Kumud Mishra, Amruta Subhash, Tamannaah Bhatia, Angad Bedi, Vijay Varma, and Mrunal Thakur in Lust Stories 2 (2023)
      Lust Stories 2
      5.8
      • Director (as R. Balki, directed by)
      • 2023
    • Pooja Bhatt, Sunny Deol, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Dulquer Salmaan in Chup (2022)
      Chup
      7.5
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2022
    • Akshay Kumar in Pad Man (2018)
      Pad Man
      7.9
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2018
    • Ki & Ka (2016)
      Ki & Ka
      5.7
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2016
    • Amitabh Bachchan and Dhanush in Shamitabh (2015)
      Shamitabh
      6.7
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2015
    • Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in Paa (2009)
      Paa
      7.1
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2009
    • Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, and Paresh Rawal in Cheeni Kum (2007)
      Cheeni Kum
      6.8
      • Director (as R. Balki)
      • 2007

    Producer



    • Amitabh Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in Ghoomer (2023)
      Ghoomer
      7.5
      • producer (as R. Balki)
      • 2023
    • Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi (2016)
      Dear Zindagi
      7.4
      • producer (as R. Balki)
      • 2016
    • Ki & Ka (2016)
      Ki & Ka
      5.7
      • producer (as R. Balki)
      • 2016
    • Sridevi in English Vinglish (2012)
      English Vinglish
      7.8
      • producer (as R. Balki)
      • 2012

    Videos1

    R. Balki on Creating the World of 'Ghoomer'
    Clip 4:10
    R. Balki on Creating the World of 'Ghoomer'

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Alternative name
      • R. Balki
    • Born
      • April 16, 1964
      • Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Spouse
      • Gauri Shinde

    Self-verified on IMDbPro

    • Gender / Gender identity
      • Male
    • Pronouns
      • he/him
    • Sexual orientation
      • Straight
    • Race / Ethnicity
      • Asian
    • Nationality / Religious or Ethnic identity
      • Indian

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Balki was the creative mind behind the Jaago Re campaign for Tata Tea, which encouraged people to vote in elections.
    • Nickname
      • Balki

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