Balan,The Boy (Mystery Drama/2026 / Zee5)
Director – Chidamabaram
Writer- Jithhu Madhavan
Cast – Adhisheshan ,Muhammad Zinaan , Farzana Palathingal
Unique story, intriguing characters, quaint towns in setting and fascinating storytelling ,trust Malayalam cinema to dole out gems like these.
The film hooks you in, the moment it starts.
Somewhere in Kerala , a young woman gets released from prison, along with her young son, after serving a sentence.We see them moving from one quiet place to another, taking on new identities. They refrain from any close relationships and the adorable little boy is completely in sync with each new identity, each new story. Then comes a stint where she is tempted to stay a bit longer. A stint that ends up in something catastrophic and the boy gets separated.The boy never stops yearning for his mother and never really stops looking for her.
Watch this beautiful heartwarming piece of cinema to know the story of the little boy and his mother.The film takes us along their journey and gives you a peep into their backstory.
The mother and boy, with their quiet mutual camaraderie, expressive eyes and soul stirring love, have you wholeheartedly rooting for them.The story ,surrounded by mystery, spins a heartwarming world that you become a part of. Your heartbeats race when they are in a tight spot ,you smile at their love filled happy moments and you worry for them.
The writers and director deserve the first credit for creating something so offbeat ,mysterious and heartwarming. I have seen Manjummel Boys. So I am aware about Chidambaram’s knack for creating highly engaging cinema. While Manjummel Boys begins with mystery and then becomes taut with tension ,this one wounds you up with constant mystery and soft emotions.
The narrative remains in total control through out, by sharing bits and pieces of their life, enough to keep you in loop and enough to keep you hooked and guessing.
If writing and direction is the brain of the film , the three main stars are the heart.
Adhisheshan wins your heart with his cherubic face and heart winning portrayal. His doe eyed look conveys innocence, love ,compliance ,curiosity and times , maturity beyond his age.
Farzana Palathingal is superb in the restrained in a performance with zero dependability on dialogues. Its her eyes that do the most talking.
Muhammad Zinaan is very good as the older Balan. His desperation and yearning for his mother tugs your heart.
If you love mystery and getting warmed up with love , this one is for you.
