Chidambaram’s ‘Balan’ promises a poignant tale of memory, resilience and mother-son bond | First Half Review

Director Chidambaram, best known for films such as Jan.E.Man and the 2024 blockbuster Manjummel Boys, returns with Balan, a deeply moving story about a mother and her son, whose understanding of the world is shaped by the stories she tells him.

While Chidambaram explored death through humour in Jan.E.Man, Balan approaches the theme with greater subtlety and emotional depth. At its heart, the film is a story of grit, survival and human resilience, anchored by a distinctive and compelling premise.

The film marks the acting debut of child artiste Adhisheshan K R, who plays the titular character, Balan. He is joined by Farzana Paalathingal, a Mumbai-based theatre artiste, who portrays Balan’s mother. The cast also includes Girish A D, Beena Antony and Jean Paul Lal, among others.

Visually, the film is elevated by the cinematography of Shyju Khalid, whose lens beautifully captures the lush landscapes and varied settings through which the characters journey. The film, written by Jithu Madhavan, blends evocative storytelling with striking imagery to create what promises to be an emotionally resonant cinematic experience.