The film revolves around a group of youngsters whose passion for kabaddi defines their lives both on and off the court. Directed by Unni Sivalingam, Balti captures their spirit, determination, and the raw energy of the game.
The Shane Nigam-starrer Balti is making waves in theatres, blending friendship, rivalry, love, and revenge against the backdrop of the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border town of Velampalayam. The sports action film marks Shane Nigam’s 25th outing and features him in a never-before-seen avatar.
Speaking about the film, Shane said, “We’re receiving excellent feedback. It’s heartening to know that audiences are embracing the film. Balti isn’t just a film for youngsters to whistle and cheer; it connects emotionally with family audiences too. While there are plenty of clap-worthy moments, the story and characters remain grounded.”
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The film revolves around a group of youngsters whose passion for kabaddi defines their lives both on and off the court. Directed by Unni Sivalingam, Balti captures their spirit, determination, and the raw energy of the game.
Explaining the film’s title, Unni said, “The word Balti is familiar across Palakkad and Pollachi. In kabaddi or dance, it refers to a rapid kind of movement. It’s also used when someone suddenly switches teams. I realised recently that people outside this region weren’t aware of the term. Since our story revolves around kabaddi, I wanted a title that felt authentic and sport-related — that’s how Balti was born.”
The director added that the audience reactions have been overwhelming. “The action sequences have received huge applause. Though it’s a sports drama, Balti also explores the protagonist’s struggles off the court. In a way, kabaddi itself is a character in the film,” Unni said.
Choreographed by Vicky and Stunt Santhosh, the fight sequences are high on energy and realism. “Every punch in Balti has a reason. If a fight doesn’t have context, it feels meaningless. But in this film, every action is tied to the story,” Shane said.
The film features noted Tamil director and actor Selvaraghavan as the antagonist, with Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Alphonse Puthren, and Preethi Asrani playing key roles. Poornima Indrajith also appears in an important part.
The film is produced by Santosh T Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander. “Unni had never even worked as a chief associate before. But he narrated the story beautifully in just 45 minutes. His clarity and confidence made us believe in him,” producer Kuruvilla said.
Published: 05 Oct 2025, 12:50 pm IST
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