The makers of the Shane Nigam-starrer Balti unveiled the film’s first single titled 'Jaalakaari' on Sunday, marking the official film song debut of independent musician Sai Abhyankkar. The music video, featuring Shane and the female lead Preethi Asrani, is a soulful romantic duet that blends traditional and contemporary sounds. Sai himself has lent his voice to the track alongside Sublahshini, with Vinayak Sasikumar penning the lyrics.

Balti is a kabaddi-based sports action drama directed by debutant Unni Sivalingam. The Malayalam-Tamil bilingual, set in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, also brings ace Tamil filmmaker Selvaraghavan to Malayalam cinema in his acting debut alongside Tamil actor Shanthnu Bhagyaraj Kumar and director Alphonse Puthren in notable roles. Originally planned as an Onam release, the film is now scheduled to hit screens on September 26.

Balti also doubles as Sai’s Malayalam debut, following the buzz around his multiple signings across the Tamil and Telugu industries even before the release of his first film. As the son of playback singers Tippu and Harini, he first rose to prominence with independent singles such as 'Aasa Kooda' and 'Katchi Sera'. Sai's entry into film music has been watched closely, with several big-ticket projects already in his line-up, including Benz, Karuppu, STR49, Dude, AA22xA6 and Marshal.