Movie Review : Balti

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 Ramesh, Mani, the captain Kumar (Shanthnu) and  Udhayan ( Shane Nigam) are kabaddi players for the Panchami team. After they win a match against the powerful Porthamarai team, Kumar finds another team, belonging to Soda Babu ( Alphonse Putheran) who will pay them well. 



But just after he convinces his friends to join the Showboys team, another offer reaches them quite by chance. It is from the Ponthamarai owner, Porthamarai Bhairavan (Selvaraghan). Kumar yet again convinces his friends to join, for the handsome payment.






But the kabaddi route in actuality, lands the innocent players into a dark web of crime. Caught up in the cross hairs of a finance mafia of Bairavan, Soda Babu and G  Maa (Poornima Indrajith), the four boys are sucked into a vortex with no escape.



Does Udhayan marry Kaveri ( Preethi Asrani), the girl he loves? Do the four friends survive the bloody onslaught that ensues due to the gang war betwen the  loan mafia?

The film by Unni Sivalingam is an edge-of-tge -seat revenge drama, with Kabaddi at its core. Though the movie starts off as a sports drama, it quickly crosses over to the realm of action and bloody vendetta. Adrenaline pumping moments abound all through, with fantastic stunt choreography by Santhosh, which is the mainstay of the film.  Using the kabaddi tactics as a base, the stunts, a highlight of the movie,  by masters Sandhosh and Vicky are simply outstanding, be it the action in the hotel, at soda babu's factory, with the goons of baivaram or the fight to survival near the climax. Every one of the action blocks, aided by Sai Abhyankkar's terrific BGM, is both a visual and auditory delight and  one of the main reasons which keeps you hooked till the end. 

The Jaalakaari song is not only a melodious ode to love but also beautifully choreographed with some superb visuals. All through, Abhyankkar scores big with his music and elevates the film. 

The performances of the leads is outstanding, with Shane Nigam's impressive portrayal as tender lover, and ferocious fighter while Shanthnu shines as the innocent youth caught up in a world of crime,  and showcases not only the consummate actor he is, but also another facet of himself in full-on action avatar.  

Preethi Asrani as the introverted, but bold love of Udhayan deserves praise. Selvaraghavan and Alphonse Putheran deliver terrific performances. Poornima Indrajit leaves a mark.

However, the second half has scenes of blood letting, gory violence which may be off -putting for many.  

Balti, crafted with extreme care and detailing, builds a milieu and takes you effortlessly  into the world of its characters, keeping you hooked from the word go, keeping you glued to the screen with its twists, making you engage with its characters raw emotions and feel for their lost innocence, even as you marvel at their survival skills scene after scene.

An action crime drama with a sports base, Balti is a revenge story that engages and entertains in equal measure, thanks to suoerb detailing, mindblowing and novel stunts, terrific bgm and songs and above all, fantastic performances.

RATING  3.75 / 5

Cast :

Shane Nigam

Shanthnu

Selvaraghavan 

Alphonse Puthren 

Preethi Asrani


CREW

Director: Unni Sivalingam

Producers: Santosh T. Kuruvilla & Binu George Alexander

 Co-producer - Sherin Rachel Santhosh

Written By : Unni Sivalingam

Banner: STK Frames

Editor : Shivkumar V. Panicker

Music: Sai Abhyankkar

Dop : Alex J. Pulickal

Art Director: Ashik S.

Dialogues : T. D. Ramakrishnan

Executive Producer: Sandeep Narayan

Tamil Nadu Distribution : Future up & AGS

Audio Label: Think Music

Production Designer – Viyaaki / Vivaki, Antony Stephen

Stunt- Action Sandhosh, Vicky Master

PRO:Yuvraaj


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