Director Chidambaram, who left a mark with , has tried his hands on different theme with Balan The Boys. Unlike other thrillers in Malayalam, does it excite? Let’s find out
Storyline
The film follows a young boy and his mother, whose lives have been shaped by a troubled past. The mother was pregnant when she was imprisoned for a crime, and after serving her sentence, she attempts to rebuild a peaceful life with her son. To avoid their past catching up with them, both of them conceal their true identities and live quietly in hiding.
Their fragile stability is disrupted when the mother takes up an assignment to care for an elderly woman in a rural area. Initially, the peaceful surroundings offer her a sense of comfort and hope. However, this tranquility is short-lived, as circumstances lead to the separation of mother and son.
In the aftermath, the boy is apprehended by the police, who are searching for his mother, and he soon finds himself at odds with Pavithran, a vindictive police officer. Will he reunite with his mother? The rest of the story lies in film
What works
is driven by a touching mother son bond that forms its emotional core. It also shows a fierce protective mother who has no hesitation in shooting anyone who comes her way if they disturb her peace, yet the character never feels preachy. Despite its flaws, the climax delivers an unexpected twist that genuinely surprises the viewer. The ambience created in film is commendable. All the sequences shot inside a jungle are at its aesthetic best. The haunting calmness, sudden fear and serenity of the entire world of the wild have been captured beautifully.
What not
film struggles with confusing twists and uneven execution. The second half does bring an unforeseen reveal, but the build up is not always clear or easy to follow. It constantly shifts between murder mystery and relationship drama, which makes the narrative feel jumbled and disjointed.
The characters and their backstories are also underdeveloped, especially the mother son turmoil, her past, her reason for going to jail and her change of identity, all of which remain half baked. A large part of the narrative feels like it is only setting up the story, slowing down the pace and making it drag. The supporting characters are unevenly written as well. Abbas played by carries emotional weight in the resolution but his relationship with the boy is never fully developed in the screenplay.
Performances
Adhisheshan delivers a sincere performance as the younger Balan, bringing innocence and emotional depth to the character. Farzana Palathingal is equally effective as his mother, and together the mother-son duo share a natural chemistry that helps keep the story engaging and emotionally grounded. Meanwhile, Jean Paul Lal as officer Pavithran adds a layer of mystery and intrigue.
Balan The Boy can certainly be called a brain exercise that will leave you tired and to some extent, disinterested.