Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s JHUND is a superb social entertainer, with writing, direction, and performances being its core strengths. To this move, it also has a Belagavi Connection namely in the Production design by Pankaj Shivdas Poal & his wife Snigdha and the production design is very realistic.
Pankaj Poal hails from Belagavi and his journey to reach the pinnacle is as realistic and hard-hitting as the script of Jhund may be.
Pankaj Poal was born in Belagavi and he had his schooling at Belagavi and Goa. Times were not so good financially and he had to quit college after PUC 1 and started to sell loose tea powder in the nearby villages.
Seeing his hard work his sister called him to Mumbai where his brother in law who had some contacts in the film industry got a job as a laborer in the art department.
In 2002 as a laborer his first movie was Gangajal and from there it was no looking back for this lad.
In a very short time, he was made as a supervisor in the art department and assistant art director and at the same time, he started to undertake freelance work as well for Ad commercials and movies.
Poal had a passion for construction and designing since childhood. Trained under Production Designer Mr. Sukant Panigrahi. Assisted him in more than 15 films. Has also worked with Sarmishta Roy, Priya Raghunathan and other eminent art directors. Has worked for Yashraj films, UTV, Sippy films, Disney, Channel V, MTV etc.
Snigdha and Pankaj has done almost 300 commercials and production designing for films like : -Andhadhun (Director : Sriram Raghavan), -Jhund (to be released, Director : Nagraj Manjule), Yaara (Director : Tigmanshu Dhulia), Baby Sellers (Canandian film)
Art Director (Films) Film “Mumbai Mast Kallander” Bulb Hila (To be released)
Art Director (Ad Films) Nivea Active Deo Mahindra Rodeo Bike(kareena) Odonil (karishma) Amul Flavyo Tata Manza Cheerio Hero Honda Anthem Airtel (Sharman Joshi) Henko (Irfan Khan) Idea (Kapil Dev) Pepsodent Britannia Crackjack Helpline Mumbai Disney Promos Star maza (cricket) Set Constructor Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Aaja Nachle Badmash Company Patiala House Dil Bole Harippa Desi Boys Tashan Chandni Chawk To China
Assistant Art Director Chak De India Bachna Ae Haseeno Newyork Karz Bheja Fry2 Chillar Party No One Killed Jessica Ek Tha Tiger Heroine
Installations Kala Ghoda festival 2012 (as a constructor) Food Festival Mumbai 2011 Nanded Gurudwara Museum Supermodel Ramp Show Art Installation for Ritu Kumar