Shanthanu Baghyaraj marks Balti's first year with BTS clips, recalls on-set injuries
Synopsis
A year after its release, Balti is back in conversation — this time through Shanthanu Baghyaraj's BTS anniversary post that revives striking details: a blackout from a knee to the temple, ligament strains, and real Pro Kabaddi League players on set. The film's gritty authenticity was earned the hard way.
Key Takeaways
Shanthanu Baghyaraj celebrated Balti's first anniversary on 26 September 2026 with BTS clips and photographs on Instagram.
He previously disclosed blacking out after a defender's knee struck his temple during filming of a kabaddi sequence.
Co-star Shane Nigam suffered a stiff lower back; Shanthanu sustained a ligament strain during the shoot.
Director Alphonse Puthren of Premam fame played villain Soda Babu in the film.
Balti is currently streaming on SonyLIV Tamil , originally released on 26 September last year.
Actor Shanthanu Baghyaraj has marked the first anniversary of the Tamil-Malayalam bilingual sports action drama Balti by sharing behind-the-scenes clips and photographs from the sets, expressing gratitude to audiences for their overwhelming response to the film. Directed by Unni Sivalingam, Balti released on 26 September last year, having been pushed back from its originally planned date of 29 August.
Shanthanu's Anniversary Post
Taking to his Instagram page, Shanthanu wrote: '#1yearofBalti Thanks for the love ❤️ #balti streaming now on @sonyliv.tamil' alongside the BTS visuals. The post gave fans a rare glimpse into the making of the high-intensity kabaddi sequences that defined the film's on-screen energy.
The Injuries Behind the Action
The anniversary post brought renewed attention to the physical toll the film took on its cast. Shanthanu had previously revealed that he blacked out after a defender's knee struck his temple during the filming of an action sequence. 'The action and sports sequences in Balti will be intense and gripping. We all sustained several injuries. Be it Shane (Shane Nigam), or me, all of us suffered bruises while training for the stunt and sporting sequences and then later on shooting for the film,' he had said.
Elaborating on the incident, Shanthanu explained: 'Kabaddi is a full-contact sport. So, I suffered a ligament strain while Shane Nigam had a stiff lower back. Once, while going for a raid, I was to be captured by the opponents' team. The players in the film are all real pro-Kabaddi league players. While doing so, one of the defender's knee hit me on my temple, making me black out for some time.'
Rigorous Training and Character Prep
Shanthanu, who portrayed a defender named Kumar specialising in the 'dash' technique, underwent extensive physical conditioning for the role. 'I had to carry the boys on my back and run around the field to strengthen my back for my role,' he had previously disclosed. The entire cast reportedly trained under professional kabaddi coaches, with real Pro Kabaddi League players featuring as on-screen opponents to heighten authenticity.
Cast, Crew and Key Highlights
Beyond Shanthanu, Balti featured Shane Nigam and Preethi Asrani in lead roles. One of the film's most talked-about casting choices was filmmaker Alphonse Puthren — best known for directing the cult blockbuster Premam — appearing in the role of a cold-blooded gangster named Soda Babu. Actor Selvaraghavan portrayed a character called Porthamarai Bhairavan.
The film was produced by Santhosh T Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander under the banners of STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions respectively. Cinematography was handled by Alex J Pulickal, art direction by Ashik S, and the soundtrack was composed by rising music talent Sai Abhyankkar.
Where the Film Stands Now
With Balti now streaming on SonyLIV Tamil, its first anniversary has given the film a renewed moment in the spotlight. The combination of a kabaddi-centric narrative, real-sport authenticity, and an unconventional casting ensemble helped it stand out in a competitive Tamil-Malayalam release window. How the film's digital afterlife sustains audience interest will likely determine whether a follow-up outing is on the cards for the team.
Point of View
Rather than a theatrical triumph, is carrying its legacy forward, which raises a pointed question about the windows available to mid-budget, bilingual sports films in a market dominated by star-vehicle franchises. Alphonse Puthren's casting as a villain was a genuine surprise that drove curiosity, but the conversation one year on is still more about production anecdotes than box-office milestones — suggesting the film found its truest audience on streaming.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Balti and who directed it?
Balti is a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual sports action drama directed by Unni Sivalingam, released on 26 September last year. It centres on kabaddi and features Shanthanu Baghyaraj, Shane Nigam, and Preethi Asrani in lead roles.
Why did Shanthanu Baghyaraj black out on the sets of Balti?
Shanthanu blacked out after a defender's knee struck his temple during the filming of a kabaddi raid sequence. He had previously explained that the players in the film were real Pro Kabaddi League professionals, making the contact sequences genuinely intense.
Where is Balti currently available to watch?
Balti is currently streaming on SonyLIV Tamil, as confirmed by Shanthanu Baghyaraj in his first-anniversary Instagram post.
Who are the key cast members of Balti?
The film stars Shanthanu Baghyaraj as Kumar, Shane Nigam, and Preethi Asrani in lead roles. Filmmaker Alphonse Puthren plays the villain Soda Babu, and actor Selvaraghavan portrays a character called Porthamarai Bhairavan.
Who composed the music for Balti?
The music for Balti was composed by Sai Abhyankkar, described as a rising young music talent. Cinematography was by Alex J Pulickal and art direction by Ashik S.
