Balidan, also called Sacrifice, is a 1927 Indian silent film directed by Naval Gandhi and based on a play by Rabindranath Tagore.[1] It was produced by Orient Pictures Corporation.[2] Balidan is cited as one of the top ten lost films of Indian Cinema by P. K. Nair.[3] Hailed as "an excellent and truly Indian film" by The Indian Cinematograph Committee, 1927–28,[4] Balidan was used by them as one of the films to "show how 'serious' Indian cinema could match Western standards".[5]
Balidan | |
---|---|
Directed by | Naval Gandhi |
Written by | Rabindranath Tagore Jamshed Ratnagar (screenplay) |
Based on | Bisarjan (play) |
Produced by | Orient Pictures Corporation |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Naval Bhatt |
Production company | Orient Pictures Corporation |
Release date |
|
Country | India |
Language | Silent film |
The film starred the then popular cast of Master Vithal, Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Zubeida, Sultana, Jal Khambata and Jani Babu.[6]
A social-reformist costume drama film, written by Tagore in 1887,[5] Balidan was set in the fictional kingdom of Tippera, and involved clashes between a progressive-minded King and a "tradition-bound priest".[1] The film was stated to be commercially successful.[4]