The Manjummel Boys-winning director Chidambaram returned with the new film Balan, which has been the most talked about film of the year and has become a hot topic of debate among audiences and trade analysts. Balan, after all, has been compared to Manjummel Boys with huge expectations; it’s a big disappointment.
The film, with a mother‑son duo at the core of the film, was praised for the hopeful story, faith, love and survival theme and an emotional ending to the movie. The first half was praised for its narrative and strong character development, and the story and the struggles and eventual triumphs of the two protagonists in the first half of the film have a lot of great story and emotional depth. But the second half was not as good as the first half; it is slow and less compelling and less engaging for us to experience.
Balan opened to good collections and attracted attention from fans for Chidambaram’s first project after Manjummel Boys. The movie didn’t quite approach the record-breaking numbers of its predecessor, but it remained strong in cities and family audiences who connected with its emotional depth. Trade reports show that the film has been good but not spectacular and is on the verge of a moderate success rather than a huge one.
The film’s celebration of motherhood and authenticity of performances (especially from the lead duo) was one of the most commented on aspects of the film. The cinematography and background score were also praised for strengthening emotional resonance. But so far there has been a lack of pace and emotional intensity in some parts that prevented the film from receiving the universal acclaim of Manjummel Boys.
In terms of results, Balan is a hit from an artistic and emotional point of view and it appeals to audiences who like emotional storytelling. It has done well enough commercially to be classified as a semi-hit, but it isn’t as big as the blockbuster. Chidambaram is also able to build up his reputation in the industry as a director who can make human emotions feel real in cinema, even though the box office outcome is now less impressive.
Despite Balan’s lack of Manjummel Boys’ remarkable success, Balan is a solid follow-up that has touched hearts and has consistently delivered solid box office returns. The movie’s good enough to say that while emotional impact is hit in emotional terms, it is moderate in commercial impact. Chidambaram is still a good filmmaker that should be watched in Malayalam cinema.
