Balti (film)

Balti
Theatrical release poster
Directed byUnni Sivalingam
Written byUnni Sivalingam
Produced bySanthosh T. Kuruvilla
Binu George Alexander
Starring
CinematographyAlex J Pulickal
Edited byShivkumar V. Panicker
Music bySai Abhyankkar
Production
companies
STK Frames
Binu George Alexander Productions
Release date
  • September 2025 (2025-09)
CountryIndia
LanguagesMalayalam
Tamil

Balti is an upcoming Indian sports action thriller film written and directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam. Produced by STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions, it is shot simultaneously in the Malayalam and Tamil languages. The film stars Shane Nigam, Preethi Asrani, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Alphonse Puthren in the lead roles.

The film was officially announced in July 2024 under the tentative title Shane Nigam 25, as it is the actor's 25th film in a leading role, and the official title was announced in June 2025. Principal photography took place from December 2024 to March 2025 across Coimbatore, Palakkad and Pollachi. The film has music composed by Sai Abhyankkar, cinematography handled by Alex J Pulikkal and editing by Shivkumar V. Panicker.

Balti is scheduled to be released theatrically in September 2025.

Cast

Production

On 4 July 2024, Shane Nigam announced that his 25th film would be directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam and produced jointly by Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander.[3] Touted to be an action thriller, the film would be shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Tamil.[4] Tentatively titled Shane Nigam 25 and Production No. 14,[5] The technical crew included cinematographer Alex J. Pulikkal, editor Shivkumar V. Panicker, production designer Ashique S, makeup artist Jitesh Poyya, costume designer Melvi, action choreographer Vicky Master, and sound designer Nithin Lukose.[6][7]

The official title, Balti, was announced on 11 June 2025.[8] The following month, Sai Abhyankkar was revealed to score the music, in his film debut. Although he had previously signed on for Benz, Karuppu and Dude, this film would release before.[9] In December 2024, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Preethi Asrani were announced being cast, with the latter pairing opposite Shane.[5] The following July, Alphonse Puthren was announced as the main antagonist.[10] The film, revolving around kabaddi players, was confirmed to feature national and state-level kabaddi players in its cast.[8]

Principal photography began with an inaugural puja ceremony on 12 December 2024 at a film city in Coimbatore with the cast and crew.[11] Filming was set to take place at Coimbatore, Palakkad and Pollachi for around 90 days.[7] Principal photography wrapped by 25 March 2025, with filming having lasted 92 days, as planned.[12]

Music

Balti
Soundtrack album by
Sai Abhyankkar
RecordedDecember 2024 – March 2025
StudioYOLO Records, Chennai
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageMalayalam
Tamil
LabelThink Music
ProducerSai Abhyankkar
Sai Abhyankkar chronology
Balti
(2025) 		Dude
(2025)

The soundtrack is composed by Sai Abhyankkar, in his first feature film.[9][13] The audio rights were acquired by Think Music.[14] The track "Soda Break" was featured in the introduction teaser for Alphonse Puthren's character.[15]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Soda Break" (Instrumental) – –1:19

Release

Balti is scheduled to release theatrically in September 2025.[16] It was previously scheduled for 27 August and 29 August.[17][18][19]

References

  1. ^ "Alphonse Puthren Turns Gangster in Shane Nigam's Balti Character Teaser". Filmfare. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Selvaraghavan to debut in Malayalam with Shane Nigam-starrer Balti". Cinema Express. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Shane Nigam announces his 25th film: 'THE HEROIC BLOODSHED BEGINS' – See post". The Times of India. 4 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Shane Nigam announces 25th film: An intense action thriller bilingual". The New Indian Express. 12 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Shanthnu's next along with Shane Nigam & Preethi Asrani". The Times of India. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Shane Nigam's 25th Film Goes On The Floors!". Times Now. 11 December 2024. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Shane Nigam's 25th film starts rolling; touted to be a sports drama". The Times of India. 12 December 2024. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Shane Nigam's 25th film titled Balti, first look and teaser out". The New Indian Express. 4 June 2025. Archived from the original on 17 June 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b Mullappilly, Sreejith (5 July 2025). "Sai Abhyankkar joins Shane Nigam-Shanthnu Bhagyaraj's Balti". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Alphonse Puthren is a ruthless gangster in Shane Nigam's Balti". Cinema Express. 8 July 2025. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Shane's 25th film begins in Coimbatore". The New Indian Express. 11 December 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (10 March 2025). "It's a wrap for Shane Nigam 25". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  13. ^ Krishna, Gayathri (4 July 2025). "Balti: Sai Abhyankkar gets a call from Mohanlal for this Shane Nigam-starrer; Here's why". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Alphonse Puthren Turns Gangster in Shane Nigam's Balti Character Teaser". Filmfare. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Alphonse Puthren reinvents himself in 'Balti' as a violent anti-hero". Onmanorama. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  16. ^ "This looks killer, says Arjun Das as makers of Balti release Shanthanu Baghyaraj's first look as Kumar from the film!". India Tribune. IANS. 11 August 2025. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Shane Nigam's Balti Gears Up for Onam Clash With Mohanlal". Filmfare. 19 July 2025. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Release date of Shane Nigam's 25th film announced". The Hindu. 29 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  19. ^ "'Balti' release date announced; Shane Nigam's 25th film arrives this Onam". Onmanorama. 18 July 2025. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
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