The release of Shane Nigam’s kabaddi-based sports actioner Balti has been postponed to September. The makers announced the change alongside the release of a character introduction video for Tamil actor Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, without specifying the exact date. Earlier, it was scheduled to be released on August 29 for Onam, alongside Mohanlal's Hridayapoorvam, Fahadh Faasil's Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira and Kalyani Priyadarshan-Naslen's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.
Shanthnu, who is returning to Malayalam cinema after 16 years since appearing in the 2009 Mohanlal-starrer Angel John, plays Kumar, a seasoned kabaddi player in Balti. The teaser shows him on the kabaddi court, followed by action scenes, indicating he plays a key role in the film.
Directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam, Balti is produced by Santosh T Kuruvilla and Binu Alexander George. Shane stars as Udhayan, also a kabaddi player, with Preethi Asrani as the female lead. The cast also includes filmmaker Alphonse Puthren as gangster Soda Babu, alongside several national and state-level kabaddi players.
Balti, shot in Malayalam and Tamil, marks the Malayalam debut of Tamil composer Sai Abhyankkar, who handles both music and background score. Alex J Pulickal serves as cinematographer, while Shivkumar V Panicker is the editor.
Shane’s upcoming projects also include Haal, slated for September 12, El Clasico, and an untitled film directed by Martin Joseph.