The film Balti is initially presented as a ‘sports action film,’ spotlighting the sport of Kabaddi. In its early moments, debutant filmmaker Unni Sivalingam appears committed to this genre, offering several intensely fought and visually engaging Kabaddi matches. However, by the halfway mark, Kabaddi recedes significantly into the background, making only a fleeting appearance in the epilogue.
This narrative shift largely stems from how the lives of the four protagonists—Shane Nigam, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, Shiva Hariharan, and Jeckson Johnson—all Kabaddi players, dramatically change after their initial successes in the arena. Kabaddi essentially becomes a mere pretext to market the film as a sports story, when in reality, it’s predominantly a run-of-the-mill action flick about young men inadvertently drawn into the murky world of goons and loan sharks. Paradoxically, their proficiency in the sport conveniently provides a justification for numerous action sequences outside the Kabaddi court.
A still from ‘Balti’
While the film is packed with frequent and prolonged action sequences, these impressive stunts only partially mask the cliché-ridden, predictable narrative. Director Unni Sivalingam clearly excels at choreographing grand action, but his writing falls short, often feeling fragmented and lacking emotional depth. The central theme, exploring the camaraderie between the four friends (initially united by Kabaddi) and how their relationships evolve as they descend into a life of crime, ultimately fails to resonate with the audience.
Balti (Malayalam)
- Director: Unni Sivalingam
- Cast: Shane Nigam, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, Preethi Asrani, Selvaraghavan, Alphonse Puthren, Poornima Indrajith, Shiva Hariharan, Jeckson Johnson
- Runtime: 154 minutes
- Storyline: Four friends, all Kabaddi players, are drawn into the world of crime, where the stakes are higher than they imagined
The movie’s narrative closely follows a formula reminiscent of another Shane Nigam-starrer, RDX (2023), with only superficial alterations to the setting, antagonists, and the dynamics between the protagonists. While Balti features a more explicit display of violence, its overall emotional impact feels diminished. Sai Abhyankkar’s highly anticipated musical score elevates certain scenes, though it can become somewhat repetitive over time. The film’s seamless integration of both Malayalam and Tamil languages is a fitting aspect, aligning well with its setting in a border town between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Shane Nigam, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, and their co-stars command a significant portion of the screen, delivering fluid and engaging action sequences. Selvaraghavan and Alphonse Puthren also leave a strong impression with their portrayals of intimidating gangsters. Poornima Indrajith’s character, ‘Gee Maa’ the money lender, is inconsistently written, and her exact influence within the border town remains unclear. Unfortunately, Preethi Asrani, as the female lead, is largely relegated to the background.
In conclusion, Balti is a film where a relentless series of well-staged action sequences struggles to keep afloat a narrative utterly devoid of originality. The film is currently showing in theaters.