9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 10th July 2021

Following the phenomenal success of Manjummel Boys, Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram returns with Balan: The Boy, a mystery survival thriller that generated considerable buzz through its intriguing promotional material. Produced by KVN Productions, the film promised another emotionally charged survival drama. But does it manage to recreate the magic of Chidambaram’s previous blockbuster? Let’s find out.

Story

A mother (Farzana Palathingal) assures her young son Balan (Adhisheshan) that she will always be there to pick him up after school, no matter what happens. However, one day she never arrives, leaving the boy stranded and confused.

As the story unfolds, questions begin to surface. Why did the mother disappear? Why have the mother and son spent years constantly changing identities and moving from place to place? What dark secret are they hiding? The answers form the heart of this emotional survival thriller.

Performances

Farzana Palathingal delivers a remarkable performance, effortlessly balancing vulnerability and strength in a character layered with mystery. She convincingly portrays a mother willing to sacrifice everything for her child.

Young actor Adhisheshan impresses with a natural and heartfelt performance, while Muhammad Zinaan, who plays the older Balan, carries his role with confidence.

Dolly June steals several scenes as an eccentric elderly woman, providing much-needed humor and warmth that brighten the film’s intense atmosphere.

Tovino Thomas performs sincerely, but his character feels unnecessarily stretched and contributes little to the central narrative. Jean Paul Lal is dependable as the corrupt police officer, adding credibility to the investigation portions.

As expected from Malayalam cinema, the performances remain one of the film’s strongest assets.

Technical Aspects

Sushin Shyam’s background score is among the film’s biggest strengths, significantly enhancing the suspense and emotional impact.

Shyju Khalid’s cinematography is visually rich, capturing both the emotional intimacy and the tension of the story with impressive precision.

Vivek Harshan’s editing works exceptionally well during the first half, but the pacing becomes inconsistent after the interval, making the second half feel longer than necessary.

Positives

• Gripping and suspenseful first half
• Strong performances, especially by Farzana Palathingal
• Effective background score and cinematography
• Entertaining blend of suspense and humor
• Decent pre-climax revelation

Negatives

• Slow and uneven second half
• Predictable twist for regular thriller viewers
• Overextended Tovino Thomas track
• Several subplots fail to make an impact

Analysis

One of Malayalam cinema’s greatest strengths is its commitment to storytelling over star power, and Chidambaram once again proves that he prioritizes compelling narratives over commercial formulas.

The first half is tightly written and thoroughly engaging. The screenplay gradually builds curiosity around the mysterious relationship between the mother and son while maintaining an emotional connection with the audience. Every encounter raises fresh questions, keeping viewers invested in their journey.

The humorous episodes involving an eccentric elderly woman provide excellent relief without disrupting the film’s tense atmosphere. The first half successfully balances suspense, emotion, and entertainment, ending on a highly satisfying note that raises anticipation for what’s to come.

Unfortunately, the momentum doesn’t continue after the interval.

The second half introduces several new characters and narrative threads that never fully contribute to the story. The pacing slows considerably, and the emotional intensity begins to fade. Tovino Thomas’ extended portions further delay the narrative without offering meaningful payoff.

Although the film eventually arrives at a pre-climax twist, seasoned thriller audiences are likely to predict it well in advance. While the revelation is decent, it lacks the shock value needed to elevate the overall experience.

With a more tightly written second half and a stronger climax, Balan: The Boy could have been another memorable thriller from Chidambaram.

Verdict

Balan: The Boy delivers an engaging first half packed with suspense, emotion, and strong performances, but loses steam after the interval due to sluggish pacing and a fairly predictable payoff. Despite its flaws, the film remains worth watching for its gripping opening half, excellent performances, and impressive technical craftsmanship.

Bottom Line: A promising survival thriller that shines in the first half but struggles to maintain its intensity until the finish.