‘Balan’ movie review: A supremely crafted film in which everyone delivers their best
- Director Chidambaram returned to theaters Saturday with Balan The Boy, a survival drama about a mother and son escaping their traumatic past, following the 2024 blockbuster Manjummel Boys.
- A former convict and her son live under constant fear, fleeing whenever their past threatens discovery while shifting identities and locations to maintain their freedom in 'prisons within and without.'
- Child artiste Adisheshan delivers a standout debut alongside Mumbai-based theatre artiste Farzana Palathingal, while cinematographer Shyju Khalid and composer Sushin Shyam provide exquisite imagery and a 'suitably unsettling' score.
- Written by Jithu Madhavan, the 147-minute film simmers with intrigue but gradually 'runs out of steam' toward the climax, remaining a 'suspenseful, gripping, plausible' character study throughout.
- While the climax feels 'gimmicky' to some, Chidambaram proves his storytelling mastery by exploring resilience with emotional depth, offering a definitive ending that leaves audiences ruminating on the characters' fate.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Chidambaram’s ‘Balan’ promises a poignant tale of memory, resilience and mother-son bond
While Chidambaram explored death through humour in Jan.E.Man, Balan approaches the theme with greater subtlety and emotional depth. At its heart, the.Balan The Boy movie, new film review, independent cinema, emerging talent, coming-of-age story, heartfelt drama, critics' choice, must-watch film, UK film release, directorial debut, cinematic experience, award potential, audience reception, film festival buzz, script and acting
Balan: The Boy Review- Balan: The Boy Review- Balan: The Boy Review
After delivering the widely acclaimed Manjummel Boys, director Chidambaram returns with another intriguing film featuring Adhisheshan, Farzana Palathingal, Muhammed Zinaan, and Dolly June in key roles, alongside special appearances by Tovino Thomas, Jean Paul Lal, Girish AD, and Beena Antony. Backed by producers Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn, the film carries strong technical credentials with Sushin Shyam composing the music, Shyju …
Is 'Balan: The Boy' Based On A True Story? Reality Behind The Script Of Chidambaram's New Thriller
Following the success of Manjummel Boys, director Chidambaram is back with Balan: The Boy. The psychological thriller features Adhiseshan, Farzana Palanthingal, and Muhammad Zinaan playing the lead roles, and it has arrived at the big screen on June 19, 2026. The lead character is a teenage boy who embarks on a journey to find his mother, who has suddenly disappeared from his life. Balan: The Boy features multiple themes of love, hope, survival,…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
