When Shanthanu Baghyaraj got knocked out unconscious while filming for a stunt sequence for Balti! (IANS Exclusive)
Actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj got a real scare on the set of the upcoming Tamil-Malayalam bilingual film ‘Balti’. During a intense kabaddi action sequence, he took a hard knee to the temple from a defender and blacked out completely.
In a chat with , Shanthanu opened up about the grueling shoot. “The action and sports scenes in ‘Balti’ pack a punch—they’re raw and thrilling,” he said. “Everyone on set, including me and Shane Nigam, picked up bruises and strains during training and filming.”
Kabaddi is no joke—it’s a full-contact sport that demands everything. Shanthanu strained a ligament while Shane dealt with a stiff lower back. The blackout happened during a raid scene. Shanthanu explained, “I was playing the raider getting tackled by the opponents. The defenders were actual pro Kabaddi League players, and one guy’s knee slammed right into my temple. I was out cold for a bit.”
To nail their roles, the cast dove into tough training. Shanthanu, who plays defender Kumar specializing in the speedy “dash” move, even carried teammates on his back across the field to build strength.
‘Balti’, a high-octane sports action drama centered on kabaddi, stars Shane Nigam as the bold raider Udhayan. It’s a big milestone for Shane—his 25th film. He strikes fear into rival teams, bringing the excitement of kabaddi to life on screen.
The movie also features Preethi Asrani in a key role, director Alphonse Puthren as the ruthless gangster Soda Babu (fresh off directing the hit ‘Premam’), and Selvaraghavan as Porthamarai Bhairavan.
Unni Sivalingam wrote and directed ‘Balti’. Producers Santhosh T. Kuruvilla of STK Frames and Binu George Alexander of Binu George Alexander Productions back the project. Alex J. Pulickal handles cinematography, Ashik S. leads art direction, and rising star Sai Abhyankkar composes the music. Shivkumar V. Panicker edited the film, Melwy J. designed costumes, and stunt masters Action Sandhosh and Vicky choreographed the action.
Fans were buzzing for an Onam release on August 29, but ‘Balti’ now hits theaters worldwide on September 26. If you’re into kabaddi movies or Shane Nigam’s action-packed roles, this bilingual drama looks like a must-watch.
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