Balidan

Balidan: A Revolutionary Chapter in Odia Cinema

The film Balidan is not just a movie; it’s a piece of cinematic history that reflects passion, collaboration, and creativity. The project came to life thanks to the infectious enthusiasm and organizational brilliance of Prashant Nanda. Inspired by his vision, Radhanath Bhatt of Budhithakurani Gali, Cuttack, joined hands with three like-minded friends – Bijay Bhushan Mohanty, Devi Prasad Das, and Devendra Chhotray – to create a production house called United Producers.

Film enthusiasts might recall that these four were the key brains behind Prashant Nanda’s directorial debut, Sesha Shravan. For Balidan, the same team stepped in again. Though Radhanath Bhatt (Prashant’s brother-in-law) led the partnership, the creative burden rested entirely on Prashant’s shoulders. He didn’t just direct the film – he wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogues, shaping Balidan into his dream project.

The Storyline: A Tale of Struggle and Sacrifice

Set against a rural backdrop, Balidan explores themes of freedom, oppression, and rebellion. It portrays a gripping narrative of an honest, hardworking man who, disillusioned by systemic exploitation, turns into a Naxalite. Alongside him stands an idealistic teacher – once an advocate of education and peace – who trades his pen for a gun, ultimately sacrificing his life in the fight against tyranny. The title Balidan (meaning “Sacrifice”) truly captures the essence of this powerful saga.

Behind the Camera: The Masters at Work

Prashant Nanda assembled a stellar technical crew to bring his vision to life:

• Cinematography: Rajan Kinnagi (Bombay)
• Music: The legendary Prafulla Kar, who also penned the lyrics
• Iconic Touch: The soulful prayer “Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari”, composed by eminent educationist Ramakrishna Nanda, found a special place in the film
• Playback Singers: Chitta Jena, Prafulla Kar, Debashish Mohapatra, Vani Jayaram, and S. Janaki
• Dance Direction: Madhav Kishan (Bombay)
• Art Direction: Nikhil Baran Sengupta
• Makeup: Kashinath More (Bombay) and Trilochana Pal (Calcutta)
• Costumes: Designed by Nirmal (Cuttack)

The editing was handled by Madan Gupte and Bhai Teleng, while Mohammed Mohsin served as the associate director. The production controller was Bishnu Prasad Mohanty, supported by a strong team of associates.

Where the Magic Happened

About 75% of the film was shot in Gopinathpur village, near Paga in Padmapur (Cuttack district). This picturesque location, home to the historic Gopinath Temple – established by Gopinath Mohapatra, a minister of Gajapati Kapaliendra Deva – added authenticity to the film’s rural narrative. Some sequences were shot in Jaanla, as noted by production controller Bishnu Prasad Mohanty.

Indoor scenes came alive at Filmstan Studios (Bombay). Post-production spanned across top facilities: Bombay Film Lab for processing, Navarang for sound design, and Prasad Studio (Madras) for music recording. The film’s optical work was managed by Bombay’s Daya Bhai. Still photography was done by Sarbeshwar Dash (Chhayaloka) and Chandu Bhai. Publicity efforts were led by Bishu Ghosh, and the music tracks were released under the Gathani label.

Apart from the first Holi song in Odia movie “Holi Holi Re Holi Ranga Rangeli Nali”, other songs like “Jete Nadi Jaye Bahi Sabu Nuhen Re Ganga”, “Nei Jaa Re Megha Mate”, and “Tiktik Tiktik Hue Mo Chati” struck a chord with audiences, becoming instant favorites.

Songs

• Aahe Dayamaya Bishwa Bihari (Singers: Prafulla Kar, Vani Jayaram | Lyrics: Ramakrushna Nanda)
• Bahi Jae Re Ganga Ude Triranga (Singers: Prafulla Kar, Chorus | Lyrics: Prafulla Kar)
• Chikalika Bambalika Bam Bam Bam (Singers: Chitta Jena, Vani Jayaram, Chorus | Lyrics: Prafulla Kar)
• Holi Holi Re Holi Ranga Rangeli Nali (Singers: Debashish Mohapatra, Vani Jayaram, Chorus)
• Neijare Megha Mote De Chhadi (Singers: S. Janaki | Lyrics: Prafulla Kar)
• Tik Tik Hue Mo Chhati (Singer: Vani Jayaram | Lyrics: Prafulla Kar)

The Stellar Cast

The film featured some of the finest talents of Odia cinema: Prashant Nanda, Hemant Das, Dukhiram Swain, Priyanath Mishra, Bijay, Jayaram Samal (Jayi), Ajit Das, Sarat, Gokuli, Nilu, Samajdar, Suresh Bala (Banku), Mohd. Mohsin, Sujata Anand, Mala, Tapati, Namrata Das, and many more.

A highlight of the film was Mamata, who played the female lead for the first time, while child artists Bapi (Saumitra Kumar Patnaik), Raghav, and Kuni charmed audiences with their performances.

The Grand Release & Accolades

Released during Durga Puja in 1979, coinciding with the inauguration of Durga Talkies in Cuttack, Balidan created a wave of excitement among cine-goers. Its compelling story, masterful direction, and meticulously planned execution cemented its place as a festival blockbuster. Distribution was handled by Brajraj Movies.

The film didn’t just win hearts – it swept the State Film Awards, bagging:

• Best Film – Balidan
• Best Story Writer – Prashant Nanda
• Best Lead Singer – Prafulla Kar
• Best Child Artist – Saumitra Patnaik

Why Balidan Still Matters

Balidan remains a landmark in Odia cinema – a bold narrative, technical finesse, and unforgettable music made it a timeless classic. More than four decades later, its themes of justice, sacrifice, and rebellion continue to resonate with audiences who cherish meaningful cinema.

Movie Artworks

Reference: Odia Chalachitra Ra Agyat Adhyaya by Bhim Singh, Odiamelody