Cast: Adhisheshan K R, Farzana Palathingal, Muhammed Zinaan, Jean Paul Lal, Girish A.D., Tovino Thomas

Crew:

Written by Jithu Madhavan
Cinematography by Shyju Khalid
Music by Sushin Shyam
Editing by Vivek Harshan
Directed by Chidambaram
Produced by Venkat K Narayana, Shailaja Desai Fenn

After delivering one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest successes with Manjummel Boys, director Chidambaram has returned with a completely different film in Balan: The Boy. Instead of aiming for scale and thrills, he opts for an intimate psychological drama with emotional undertones. The film released in theatres and here is our review.

Plot:

Balan is a young boy who has grown up under unusual circumstances with his mother. Their life has largely been built around changing identities and moving constantly to avoid confronting a difficult past. Eventually, they arrive at a remote place where his mother begins working as a caretaker and hopes to find stability.

But buried secrets, old decisions and the constant fear of losing freedom begin affecting both of them. As Balan slowly starts understanding the truth behind his life and his mother’s choices, their relationship faces difficult emotional tests. What happens to them and where their journey leads forms the rest of the story.

Analysis:

Chidambaram avoids making this an easy emotional drama. He takes a slow-burn route and focuses more on atmosphere, behaviour and emotional silence rather than conventional dramatic highs. This approach works for a large part because the film remains invested in its characters.

Adhisheshan delivers a striking performance and carries the emotional burden of the film impressively. Farzana Palathingal complements him well and their scenes together become the emotional backbone. Their bond feels organic and believable throughout.

Technically, the film stands tall. Shyju Khalid’s cinematography creates a sense of isolation and mystery while Vivek Harshan’s editing keeps the narrative engaging despite its deliberate pace. Sushin Shyam’s background score quietly elevates tension and emotion whenever needed.

However, the film’s biggest limitation is also its strength. The screenplay demands patience and the second half stretches more than necessary. Certain portions become repetitive and the climax may not completely satisfy audiences expecting a stronger payoff. Yet, the emotional depth and performances help the film stay impactful.

Positives:
Performances
Emotional Core
Technical Brilliance

Negatives:
Slow Pace
Stretched Second Half
Climax Could Have Been Better
Less Effective Narrative

Bottomline: A well-made slow-burn psychological drama that rewards patient viewers

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers' discretion is advised before reacting to them.