Sports drama Balti set for September 26th release; team meets media in Chennai

The pre-release press meet of Balti, the upcoming sports action drama starring Shane Nigam and Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, was held today in Chennai ahead of its theatrical release on September 26th. The film, directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam, has already garnered buzz for its unique setting, high production values, and intriguing storyline that blends sport, action, and local flavor across languages and regions. Set in the border areas between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Balti explores the lives of four young men who use their knowledge of Kabaddi not just on the field, but in real-life confrontations with the villains that threaten their world.

Speaking at the event, director Unni Sivalingam shared how personal the film is to him. A Malayali from Palakkad with a Tamil father, Unni revealed that the Malayalam version of the film features a mix of 60% Malayalam and 40% Tamil. “This is a film about how boys who play Kabaddi will use the tricks of the sport to fight one another,” he said. He also expressed deep gratitude to his producers, stating, “I don’t know if I will get such good producers again. You can ask them anything and they will provide everything.” Unni, who is the sixth new director launched by his producers, also praised actor Shanthnu for his dedication, noting that completing a 92-day single schedule shoot is no easy feat. He shared that actress Preethi Asrani was cast after the team saw her performance in Ayothi.

Producer Santhosh T Kuruvilla, who previously backed films like Mayavi and Nimir, recalled the strong support he received from the Chennai media during those projects. “I had very good support from the media here for both the films. I request you all to extend your support to this film as well,” he said. Music director Sai Abhyankkar, who is making his Malayalam debut with Balti, noted that the film has turned out really well and thanked the producers for their trust, adding that he looks forward to audience support.

Actress Preethi Asrani, making her Malayalam debut with Balti, expressed her gratitude for the continuous encouragement she has received from the Tamil media since her debut. “Chennai feels like home. Balti is my first Malayalam film. I hope you support this film just like you did with Ayothi,” she said. She described her journey with Balti as special and recalled telling director Unni during their first conversation that she didn’t know Malayalam. “He said, ‘We’ll manage.’ And we did,” she smiled. She also spoke about the strong bond that developed between her and the director during the shoot, calling him her “brother.”

Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, who plays a crucial role as Kumar, shared his excitement about being part of a Malayalam film after a long gap since Angel John. He expressed how thankful he was for the support of the media in his journey so far. “They could have easily gone in for a Malayalam actor, but they chose the most apt person for the role,” he said, thanking the director and producers. Shanthnu was so taken by the script during narration that he claimed to know Malayalam, and later underwent a month of language coaching and training in stunts and Kabaddi to do justice to the role.

Shane Nigam, who leads the film, described Balti as a high-budget sports action drama about four boys whose lives are transformed when they stand up to the villains. He credited his producers for backing the ambitious project and shared his admiration for the film’s music. “I am addicted to the songs of Sai Abhyankkar. I am super proud that Sai is doing Balti,” he said.

Balti, produced under STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions, features cinematography by Alex J Pulickal and editing by Shivkumar V Panicker. With its blend of gritty action, strong characters, regional flavor, and a storyline that reflects the pulse of local sport and brotherhood, Balti is shaping up to be a compelling bilingual experience when it hits screens on September 26th.