KVN Productions and Thespian Films’ Balan – The Boy (dubbed from the Malayalam film of the same name; UA) is the story of a mother and her little son who are on the run, constantly hiding their true identities. They flee from the authorities, evade the police and confront strangers. They have had a traumatic past. The film is also about a child’s hunt for his mother.
Jithu Madhavan has written an emotional story which keeps the viewers engaged. What seems to be just a mother-son story has so many twists and turns that the thriller becomes more and more engrossing. Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay has some fine moments but the overall drama would not appeal much to the Hindi film-going audience because it is quite dark. Dialogues are fair.
Master Adhisheshan K.R. does an excellent job in the title role. Farzana Palathingal is very good as Balan’s mother. Tovino Thomas shines. Chandu Salimkumar is natural. Girish A.D. makes a mark. Ganapathi, Sandra Chandran, Beena Antony, Dolly June, Jean Paul Lal, Muhammed Zinaan and the others provide decent support.
Chidambaram’s direction is very sensitive but it appeals more to the class audience. Sushin Shyam’s music is fair. Shyju Khalid’s cinematography is nice. Ajayan Chalissery’s production designing is of a fine standard. Vivek Harshan’s editing could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is good.
On the whole, Balan – The Boy is a film with limited appeal for the Hindi film-going viewers. Lack of promotion and, therefore, awareness about the film will tell on its box-office takings.
Released on 19-6-’26 at Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was dull everywhere.