Actor Shanthanu has transformed himself for his latest role, dropping more than nine kilos to play Kumar, a skilled kabaddi player in the upcoming bilingual Tamil-Malayalam sports action drama Balti. Directed by Unni Sivalingam, the film dives into the high-energy world of kabaddi, set against the vibrant border region between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Shanthanu, looking lean and ready for action, shared his excitement: "I lost nine kilos after joining a intense training camp for kabaddi and stunts." Fans have been buzzing about his fit physique, especially since his last Tamil hit, Blue Star, became a massive success. This marks his return to Malayalam cinema after nearly 15 years.
The story follows four young guys who use their kabaddi prowess to take on rivals, blending thrilling sports sequences with real drama. Shanthanu shines as a master of the "Dash" technique in kabaddi, while Shane Nigam steps into the shoes of Udhayan, a bold raider who dominates the opposition’s defense. For Shane, this is a big milestone—his 25th film overall.
The cast adds more star power: Preethi Asrani takes on a key role, and acclaimed director Alphonse Puthren, famous for the blockbuster Premam, plays the ruthless gangster Soda Babu. You’ll also spot Selvaraghavan as Porthamarai Bhairavan.
Behind the scenes, producers Santhosh T Kuruvilla of STK Frames and Binu George Alexander of Binu George Alexander Productions bring this kabaddi-packed tale to life. Alex J Pulickal handles cinematography, Ashik S directs the art, and rising music star Sai Abhyankkar composes the score. Shivkumar V. Panicker edits, Melwy J designs costumes, and stunt experts Action Sandhosh and Vicky amp up the action.
Originally set for an Onam release on August 29, Balti now hits theaters worldwide on September 26, building even more hype among kabaddi fans and movie lovers.
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