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Sibi Chakk
Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram made this film, so I went in with some
expectations.
The story is different, fresh and unique. The first half went quite well and stayed interesting.
But the second half is a total let down. It becomes boring and lagging.
There is a twist in the climax, but it is easily guessable. It does not feel unexpected or unpredictable at all. That twist also felt very ordinary.
**Plus points**
- The story itself is unique and fresh.
- The mother-son bonding works well.
- The first half is good.
**Minus points**
- Second half is lagging and disappointing.
- Climax twist is predictable.
Overall, it’s just a decent average movie only.
31 Jul’26 20:38
Harikrishnan P S
Balan the Boy is easily one of the best films of the year.
The performances, especially by the child actor and the actress playing the mother, are among the finest we’ve seen in
Shridhar Manivannan
no old movie song references,
no shocking thriller bang reveals,
no crowd
pleasing mass moments.
just clean pure visual storytelling with a strong emotional connect.
This is the
Vivaan Kurienz
Balan:The boy directed by chidambaram is a very well crafted film,the story
revolves around a boy who is searching for his mother while recollecting all other incidents from
Jinesh Muralidharan
It’s been a dull 12-15 months at the movies but my heart was full after seeing
Balan . It’s the best film I’ve seen for quite sometime . Outstanding film!! The mother , the boy ,
Popcorn Reviewss
Driven by exceptional performances, #BalanTheBoy unfolds as a dark,
dysfunctional fairytale centered on the raw grit of survival. The narrative masterfully navigates the
Athul Prasanna
The fact that Manjummel Boys Director and Aavesham Writer are coming together
is what made me wait for this film.
Even if you take the writing and all aspects into consideration,
Gautham Harikumar
“When Mystery Meets Emotional Storytelling”
With his third film, Chidambaram
proves once again that he has no interest in repeating his previous successes. Instead, he explores a
Aln Binoy
.
Anusha Jacob
The first half was great but I found myself getting restless and impatient in
the second half. Felt a bit stretched or like it was going nowhere. Average climax.
Suchit Seth
Balan The Boy is one of the finest films of 2026 because of its powerful
performances, solid visuals and excellent writing. A must watch out now on Zee5. Chidambaram sir delivers
Harshith ArunKumar
AN OUTSTANDING TALE OF MOTHERLY LOVE.
Chidambaram and Jithu Madhavan take the audience on a journey with the titular Balan in a world where he and his mother travel namelessly
Partiv Rajeev
"Balan: The Boy" is a beautifully written and well-made movie.
The overall direction and making were amazing, blending perfectly with the story.
The casting was one of the biggest
The Cine Column
The Chidambaram–Jithu Madhavan collaboration takes a single dialogue or promise
and meticulously unpacks its layers to build a sprawling emotional landscape. The film trades manic
A S K
- Gripping from start to finish, a really well - made film that is brilliantly
directed by Chidambaram with a tight screenplay, great sound design, stunning cinematography,
Rudrangshu Samanta
Only for the first half and the performance by the actor playing the mother's
role. The rest of the movie is a complete waste and the ending twist also becomes very predictable.
Abin Babu
.
Aman .
A simple tale told in such a beautiful way, the frames, the screenplay
structure, the casting, the music all are perfectly in sync, and a plot twist for a such simple plot makes
Arun Joseph
When technical brilliance and quality screenplay meets outstanding
performances, cinema happens!
Balan(The boy), The Beautiful,
The recent best from Mollywood and be discussed for
KC Jacob
When the director of Manjummel Boys teams up with the writer of Aavesham, you
expect something special and they deliver. After watching the movie, you keep wondering how they
rōhan jacōb
Balan is a drama with underlay of thrill and mystery all the way.
A must watch!
I went in blind. No trailer. No interviews. Nothing. For me the fact that it is the next outing
Sugil SG
Balan – A Powerful and Emotionally Resonant Cinematic Experience.
Balan tells the story of a mother and son released from prison, wandering from door to door in search of a new