Balti Review: Shane Nigam-starrer falls flat thanks to cliches, particularly the friends-turned-enemies plot

Balti Story - Three powerful goons control the small town of Velampalayam, which is located on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In the meantime, four young kabaddi players become caught in these fraudulent activities and powerplay, jeopardising their loved ones, friendship, and trust. Soon, the focus shifts to revenge, where only one person can make it through.

Balti Review - The narration in the beginning of Shane Nigam's most recent film gives the audience a clear preview of what's to come by describing a hero who saves his loved ones in peril. Soon, one would realise that the film unmistakably falls into the 'typical' category of action films that they have seen before, where the protagonist's and his loved ones' lives is in jeopardy and retaliation plays a critical part. 

The small town of Velampalayam is ruled by three formidable goons: Porthamarai Bhairavan, Soda Babu, and G-Maa. Residents of this town, which is situated on the frontier between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are afraid of them because of their illicit cash dealings and methods of extorting money from borrowers. Meanwhile, when one of the four kabaddi players, who are also close friends, becomes obsessed by greed for money, they get caught up in these illegal activities and powerplay. The existence of themselves and their loved ones is soon at risk, with betrayal and vengeance taking the central stage.

Other than the typical cliches found in commercial action dramas, the film's creators may not have anything original to offer in terms of plot. At times, it becomes so predictable that the audience lose interest in the movie, which drags on for two hours and thirty-two minutes. The deliberate attempts by the filmmakers to portray the antagonists as "gruesome" can occasionally backfire, diminishing their impact. Although the movie initially seemed to be a sports drama, it is one of those films where kabaddi is used as a ploy in order to give the main stars a mass appeal.

Both Shane Nigam and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj give impressive performances, while viewers are left expecting to see more of Poornima Indrajith on screen due to her solid act as G-Maa. Although Selvaraghavan and Alphonse Puthren's characters raised audience expectations, they frequently let them down by being stereotypical antagonists with a range of odd and crooked characteristics.

The action scenes and Sai Abhyankkar's music are among Balti's key assets. For those who love Shane Nigam or a typical commercial action thriller, the film may be worthwhile to watch overall.

Balti Review - Thanks to its formulaic screenplay among other shortcomings, Shane Nigam's film loses the cant nearly every time.

Also Read: Karam movie review: Vineeth Sreenivasan’s thriller disappoints with its generic treatment

FAQs

Q: When will Balti be released in theatres?

A: The film hit the big screen on September 26.

Q: Who is Shane Nigam playing in Balti?

A: The actor is playing Udhayan, kabbadi player, in this sports drama.

Q: Where was Balti filmed?

A: Filming for this bilingual movie took place in a number of places in Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Pollachi.