Tamil filmmaker Selvaraghavan is making his acting debut in Malayalam with Shane Nigam’s Balti. He is playing a character named Porthamarai Bhairavan, whom the makers describe as a ‘fierce devotee of Kalabhairavan’. Apart from him, the Malayalam-Tamil bilingual also stars Tamil actor Shanthnu Bhagyaraj Kumar and filmmaker Alphonse Puthren in significant roles.

Balti, a kabaddi-based sports action drama, is directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam. Preethi Asrani plays the female lead in the film, which marks the Malayalam debut of composer Sai Abhyankkar. Though the film was originally slated for Onam release this month, it has now been pushed to September 26.

Selvaraghavan is best known for directing acclaimed films such as Kaadhal Kondein, 7G Rainbow Colony, Pudhupettai, Aayirathil Oruvan and Mayakkam Enna. He also played crucial roles in Vijay’s Beast, Saani Kaayidham, and his brother Dhanush’s directorial Raayan. He is currently directing 7G Rainbow Colony 2, which has Ravi Krishna reprising his role as Kathir, with Malayalam actor Anaswara Rajan as the female lead.