Balti (film)

Balti is a 2025 Indian action drama film written and directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam. Produced by STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions, the film stars Shane Nigam, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, and Preethi Asrani with Alphonse Puthren and Poornima Indrajith in supporting roles. As the film's setting was in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the dialogues were in Malayalam and Tamil languages. The film also marked Shanthanu's comeback in Malayalam cinema after 16 years.

The film was officially announced in July 2024 under the tentative title Shane Nigam 25, as it is the actor's 25th film in a leading role, and the official title was announced in June 2025. Principal photography took place from December 2024 to March 2025 across Coimbatore, Palakkad and Pollachi. The film has music composed by the debutant Sai Abhyankkar, with cinematography handled by Alex J. Pulickal and editing by Shivkumar V. Panicker.

Balti was released theatrically on 26 September 2025 and received positive reviews from critics. The film was an average success at box office.

In the border town of Velampalayam between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, illegal finance operations and land dealings are controlled by three influential figures — Porthamarai Bhairavan, Soda Babu and the calculating G-Maa.

Udhayan, also known as Balti, is a passionate kabaddi player who lives with his mother and shares a close bond with his friends Kumar (also called Dash), Ramesh, Mani, and Pratheep. The group gains recognition after defeating Porthamarai Bhairavan’s kabaddi team in a local tournament. Humiliated by the defeat, Bhairavan’s men attempt to assault the boys but are beaten back.

Impressed by their strength and unity, Bhairavan invites them to represent his Porthamarai team in an upcoming tournament. The boys accept the offer and eventually win the championship title for him. Soon after, Bhairavan’s vehicle is seized by Soda Babu’s gang following a dispute. Kumar volunteers to retrieve it and successfully confronts Soda Babu’s men. Pleased with his loyalty, Bhairavan gifts the vehicle to the group and gradually draws them into his illegal finance network, assigning them to recover loans from borrowers.

As Bhairavan’s financial empire expands, a poor borrower is publicly humiliated for failing to repay a high-interest loan. Stripped and shamed before his family, the man attempts suicide by jumping in front of a moving vehicle, resulting in the amputation of his leg. He is later revealed to be the brother of Kaveri, Udhayan’s love interest. Enraged by the incident and Kaveri’s subsequent threats from Bhairavan’s associate Sampath to withdraw the legal complaint, Udhayan turns against Bhairavan.

Meanwhile, Udhayan’s mother is murdered by Soda Babu’s henchmen. Influenced by G-Maa, who secretly provides him with weapons, Udhayan seeks revenge and kills Soda Babu.

Later, G-Maa warns Kumar that Bhairavan’s men are planning an attack on their lodge. Simultaneously, Udhayan receives a call from Sampath informing him that Bhairavan is approaching with a large group and that one among his own friends has been acting as an informer.

Bhairavan’s gang storms the lodge, resulting in a violent confrontation. Although Udhayan manages to fight back, Mani and Pratheep are brutally killed during the escape attempt. In the final showdown, Udhayan confronts and kills Porthamarai Bhairavan. However, disillusioned by betrayal, he distances himself from Kumar and walks away.

Kumar is subsequently arrested by the police but secretly contacts G-Maa, urging her not to disclose Udhayan’s whereabouts.

The film ends with Udhayan returning to the kabaddi field in search of redemption, while Kumar becomes an enforcer under G-Maa’s leadership, hinting at the continuation of the cycle of violence.

On 4 July 2024, Shane Nigam announced that his 25th film would be directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam and produced jointly by Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander.^[5] The film would be shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Tamil.^[6] Tentatively titled Shane Nigam 25 and Production No. 14,^[7] the technical crew includes cinematographer Alex J. Pulikkal, editor Shivkumar V. Panicker, production designer Ashique S, makeup artist Jitesh Poyya, costume designer Melvi, action choreographer Vicky Master, and sound designer Nithin Lukose.^[8][9]

The official title, Balti, was announced on 11 June 2025.^[10] The following month, Sai Abhyankkar was revealed to score the music, in his film debut. Although he had previously signed on for Benz, Karuppu and Dude, this film would release before.^[11] In December 2024, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Preethi Asrani were announced being cast, with the latter pairing opposite Shane. It marks Shanthanu's comeback in Malayalam cinema after 16 years, following his appearance in 2009 film Angel John.^[7] The following July, Alphonse Puthren was announced as the main antagonist.^[12] The film, revolving around kabaddi players, was confirmed to feature national and state-level kabaddi players in its cast.^[10]

Principal photography began with an inaugural puja ceremony on 12 December 2024 at a film city in Coimbatore with the cast and crew.^[13] Filming was set to take place at Coimbatore, Palakkad and Pollachi for around 90 days.^[9] Principal photography wrapped by 25 March 2025, with filming having lasted 92 days, as planned.^[14]

The soundtrack is composed by Sai Abhyankkar, in his first feature film.^[11][15] His remuneration was around ₹2 crore (US$240,000), which Santhosh claimed was the highest for a composer in Malayalam.^[16] The audio rights were acquired by Think Music.^[17] The track "Soda Break" was featured in the introduction teaser for Alphonse Puthren's character.^[18] The first single "Jaalakaari" was released on 24 August 2025.^[19]

Balti was released theatrically on 26 September 2025, and was rumoured to be released for home media on January 9, 2026 on Amazon Prime Video. However, the film was never released on the platform, and its home media release is still pending.

Balti was previously scheduled to release on 29 August coinciding Onam, but was delayed to 26 September for unknown circumstances.^[20][21][22]

Balti received positive reviews from critics.

Arjun Menon of The Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "The personal writing and thick character sketches enhance the immediacy from the action and strengthens the high-stakes plot. The film’s attempts to tap into the emotional core of friendship, and the tragedy triggered by one friend’s poor choices, feel innovative and connected to the rest of the story. Moreover, whenever Balti surrenders to its action instincts, it delivers a good time at the movies".^[23] Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote, "Balti works well as a sports movie with its well-shot and exciting kabbadi scenes. Also, Sai Abhyankkar makes a striking debut as a film composer".^[24]

Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, " 'Balti' serves up promising ingredients and successfully extracts its full potential, thereby settling for creativity over cliches.^[25] Vivek Santhosh of Cinema Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "For those who enjoy rustic action dramas, the film has enough grit and swagger to pass the time. For everyone else, it will feel like a song sung many times before, this time louder, bloodier, and better".^[26] Gayathri Krishna of OTTplay gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "The action scenes and Sai Abhyankkar's music are among Balti's key assets. For those who love Shane Nigam or a non-commercial action thriller, the film is definitely worthwhile to watch overall".^[27]

• Balti at IMDb