Jyotika has made some noise in the Malayalam film circles, anointing ‘Balan: The Boy’ a masterpiece and giving Tovino Thomas his due for what she sees as a performance of a lifetime. You add in some good words from Suriya and you have a movie that even those outside Kerala are making a point to see in the theatre.
Star power for a quiet film
The actor-producer was full of praise for how Chidambaram has the reins and for the kind of bold, unorthodox writing from Jeethu Madhavan. She put it down to a matter of finesse in how the film weaves together the criminal and the innocent. “Go see it on the big screen,” she says, and describes it as a tale of motherhood and what is left behind. Then there is Suriya, who says he is still thinking about the film. He gave the team some well-earned respect in the wake of ‘Manjummel Boys’ and called this one more of the fine work the industry is known for.
What got to Jyotika
It wasn’t just the overall package. Jyotika made a point of Farzana Palathingal’s work, which she felt had a certain strength to it. And for the kids, Adhisheshan KR and Muhammad Zinaan, she said they have a way of looking right at you and into your heart. Dolly June also got a mention for an old-timer with some bite to her. You could tell from her note it was a genuine reaction, not the usual celebrity sign-off, and that is why it has been so well received.
The make-up of the film
Tovino puts aside any star quality to get in character, and that is where Sushin Shyam’s music comes in to rattle you in the first half and hit you with some feeling in the second. You can see it in the way Shyju Khalid has shot the film; every frame has a bit of poetry to it. It is the sort of thing you would expect from a well-made Malayalam picture, and this one is no exception. Here is what you are in for at the box office: – A drama with a few thriller moments in it – A story between a mother and son with some secrets to tell – Acting that is more about what isn’t said – A score that knows when to let up and when to build – Some very deliberate visuals
How it is faring
The numbers are in and they are good. According to Sacnilk, the film has done around Rs 96 lakh in India on day six. We are looking at a net of some Rs 10.29 crore in India and a worldwide gross of Rs 20.42 crore. There was some pre-release buzz after it was shown at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival’s Marche du Film back in May. In hindsight, you can see where the word of mouth is coming from.
In brief
Put simply, ‘Balan: The Boy’ is a psychological thriller from KVN Productions and the hand of director Chidambaram. Jyotika has given credit to Jeethu Madhavan for the screenplay, with the story also to his name (Jithu Madhavan). You will find the likes of Jean Paul Lal, Girish AD, and the rest of the cast in it. The plot has a boy and his mother on a hunt for some truth and a little redemption.
The bottom line
This isn’t just for show. When you have Jyotika and Suriya vouching for a film like this, it is a stamp of approval for a movie that doesn’t need to be loud to be good. Don’t be surprised if the theatres are a little more full this weekend for this one.
