Shripad Rajhans/ Bal Gandharva Suhas Joshi as Narayan's mother Kishor Kadam as Ganpatrao Bodas Avinash Narkar as Balasaheb Pandit Sagar Talashikar as Nanasaheb Joglekar Anand Abhyankar as Mama Vibhavari Deshpande as Narayan's wife, Laxmi Prachiti Mhatre as Gohar Bai Karnataki Abhijit Kelkar as Sadubhau Ranade Rahul Deshpande as Keshavrao Bhosale (also known as Sangeet Surya) Rahul Solapurkar as Shahu Maharaj Mukesh Rishi as Pathan Manoj Kolhatkar as Ram Ganesh Gadkari (Gadkari Mastar) Angad Mhaskar as Anant Kanhere Atharva Karve as young Balgandharva Vidyadhar Joshi as Shankarrao Siddharth Chandekar as Abhyankar Manoj Joshi as Seth Laxmichand Narayan Madhav Abhyankar as Pant from Bhor Province Nitin Chandrakant Desai as Lokmanya Tilak Production The mahurat shot of the film was done at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Pune; the place whose foundation stone was laid by Balgandharva. As the story is based in early 20th century Maharashtra, renowned historian Babasaheb Purandare, famous theatre actress of the yesteryears, Jaimala Shiledar along with her daughter Kirti Shiledar and historian Dr. Jaisingrao Pawar helped in consulting for the production. Multiple National Award winning costume designer Neeta Lulla designed the costumes and jewellery of the characters to recreate the era. The film premiered in Mumbai on 4 May 2011 and on 5 May in Pune. It then released all over Maharashtra on 6 May. Awards and recognition The film was screened at many film festivals around the globe, starting from the New York Indian Film Festival on 8 May 2011. Subsequently, it was also screened at the Cannes and Venice festivals. The film also won maximum number of awards (3) at 59th National Film Awards in 2011. National Film Awards 2011: National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer - Anand Bhate Citation: For taking up the challenge of recreating the ethos of a doyen like Bal Gandharva who strode the musical stage like a giant. He recreates the magic of the sonorous voice of Bal Gandharva in a flawless and distinguished manner thus helping preserve a tradition. The original voice of the actor and his voice blend seamlessly. 2011: National Film Award for Best Costume Design - Neeta Lulla (shared with Neharika Khan for The Dirty Picture) Citation: For creating a period with appropriate costumes embellished with the right colors and textures. Neeta Lulla of 'Balgandharva' and Niharika Khan in 'The Dirty Picture’ have both done meticulous research into those times, not merely to be authentic