'Balti' review: Shane Nigam scores big in a gritty sports drama

Malayalam cinema has been exploring sports dramas in new ways, and Shane Nigam’s 'Balti' is a gritty, emotional, and surprisingly layered entry into the genre. While the film revolves around Kabaddi, it is much more than a sports story. At its heart, it examines friendship, love, betrayal, and the intense ways ambition and personal loyalties can collide.

Shane Nigam plays Udhayan, a Kabaddi prodigy whose sharp tactics on the court have earned him the nickname “Balti Star.” Shanthanu Bhagyaraj plays Kumar, one of Udhayan’s closest friends, and together with two others, they form a tightly knit group of fearless young men. These four are confident, bold, and unafraid to take on anyone who stands in their way. The first half of the film carefully establishes this camaraderie, showing their interactions, shared ambitions, and the dynamics that define their bond. The Kabaddi sequences, in particular, are well choreographed, offering authentic glimpses of the sport without ever slowing the narrative.

What drives the story is not just the game, but how personal ambitions, friendships, and love interests begin to clash, escalating tensions and sparking conflict. The emotional stakes feel real, and the chemistry between Shane Nigam and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj is one of the film’s strongest points. Their on-screen relationship is convincing, effortless, and often the anchor in scenes that could otherwise feel weighed down by stylised action. Shane Nigam, in particular, delivers a performance that feels both committed and nuanced. While a few stylised sequences occasionally break the authenticity of his character, his overall portrayal remains convincing.

Selvaraghavan and Alphonse Puthren deliver memorable performances as villains in the film. Selvaraghavan’s character, unlike the loud, overtly aggressive Tamil villain one might anticipate, is restrained, cunning, and calculated, creating a different kind of tension. Alphonse Puthren, as Soda Sabu, brings a fresh energy to the screen, presenting a character that feels new and unpredictable to audiences familiar with his work.

The second half of 'Balti' leans heavily into action and violence, with the story occasionally losing some of the focus established earlier. While certain stretches feel a bit drawn out, the intense climax compensates for this, delivering the emotional and dramatic payoff the story promises. Sai Abhyanakar’s music complements the film well, especially the song 'Jaalakaari', which gained viral attention even before the film’s release, offering a brief reprieve from the otherwise intense tone of the movie.

One of the challenges for 'Balti' is that the gang-and-sports-drama genre is well-trodden. Audiences familiar with films like 'RDX' might find the basic plot predictable at times. Yet, what sets 'Balti' apart is the strength of its performances. The lead cast carries the story, making the familiar beats feel alive and urgent. The friendships feel genuine, the rivalries intense, and the personal stakes believable.

'Balti' succeeds not just as a sports drama but as a story about loyalty, ambition, and the messy realities of youth. It may not reinvent the genre, but with strong performances, well-executed action, and moments of real emotional intensity, it manages to leave an impression. The film is messy, sometimes intense, occasionally stretched, but ultimately engaging, anchored by characters you invest in and a world that feels lived-in, even amid the chaos.