Mollywood actor Shane Nigam has officially revealed the title of his 25th film—Balti, a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual drama set against the gritty backdrop of kabaddi. The announcement came with an intriguing first-glimpse video, where Shane is seen in the avatar of a kabaddi player on the run from the police, hinting at a high-stakes, action-packed narrative.
Sharing the update on Instagram, Shane wrote, “The Rise of a Star Raider. Heroic Bloodshed Begins.! #BALTI Title glimpse Link in bio. Shane Nigam 25 #Onam Release”—confirming an Onam release window for the film.
A Powerful Debut and a Star-Studded Crew
Balti marks the directorial debut of Unni Shivalingam and is being bankrolled by Santosh T Kuruvilla and Binu Alexander George under the STK Frames banner. The story follows the lives of four young kabaddi players navigating their dreams, rivalries, and survival. Realism is at the core of this film—with much of the action shot in Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Pollachi.
In a bid to bring authenticity to the kabaddi sequences, Shane Nigam and Tamil actor Shanthanu underwent a month-long intensive training under Kerala’s kabaddi coach Ramesh Velayudhan, supported by national-level players and gymnastics experts. Many real-life athletes will also feature in the film, adding to its raw, grounded vibe.
Meet the Crew Behind the Scenes
The film’s visual tone is being crafted by cinematographer Alex J Pullikkal, while editing is handled by Shivkumar Panicker—renowned for his slick work in Bollywood’s Kill. The creative team also includes production designer Ashique S, makeup artist Jitesh Poyya, costume designer Melvi, action choreographer Vicky, and sound designer Nithin Lukose.
With a unique setting, compelling story, and a fresh directorial voice, Balti promises to be a gripping sports-action drama that blends cultural flavor with cinematic intensity—just in time for Onam.