Audiences today are receptive to authenticity, says Shanthnu

After delivering impactful performances in Raavana Kottam (2023) and Blue Star (2024), actor Shanthnu Bhagyaraj aims to continue his upward trajectory with his next, titled Balti .

The sports action drama that marks the actor’s return to Malayalam cinema also marks the directorial debut of Unni Sivalingam. It also features a strong ensemble cast, comprising Shane Nigam, Preethi Asrani, Alphonse Puthren, and Selvaraghavan.In a candid conversation with us, Shanthnu talks about his upcoming film, the challenges he has faced, the difference between Tamil and Malayalam cinema, films that have played a major role in his career, and more... ‘30-35 per cent of the film will be in Tamil, because the story happens on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border’ I took Malayalam coaching for the language free flow. Since it is a sports action drama, we had to train for action and kabaddi. We went to Kochi for stunt training, as the four main characters each have power moves — Shane has the balti , mine was the dash, and the other two had the scorpion kick and dubki . We trained tirelessly to showcase realistic kabaddi and action scenes. The most important thing is 30-35 per cent of the film will be in Tamil because the story happens in Konompara, the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.

‘BALTI EXPLORES THE FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND LIVES OF FOUR KABADDI PLAYERS’“After 16 years, I am making a comeback to Malayalam cinema. I listened to the story (which revolves around four boys) through a three-hour video call. The film explores the friendship, love, and lives of four kabaddi players and how their journey takes a darker turn into the world of gangsters, betrayal, and survival. With such a powerful story, a strong technical crew, and a great production behind it, like Rajesh in Blue Star , my character Kumar (a Tamil boy living on the Tamil NaduKerala border) in Balti is pivotal.

I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.”‘I PICKED UP MANY VALUABLE TIPS FROM SELVARAGHAVAN SIR’On working with director-actor Selvaraghavan, Shanthnu says, “He is a very silent and reserved person, but between shots he spoke to us like an old friend. I had some wonderful conversations with him — since he’s ‘ namma ooru director ’, I asked him about his films, from Kaadhal Kondein (2003) to Aayirathil Oruvan (2010), discussed even the smallest details. I also asked him what a director expects from an actor.

I picked up many valuable tips from him.

”‘MALAYALAM CINEMA IS KNOWN FOR ITS REALISM, AND I SEE TAMIL CINEMA MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION NOW’“One major difference is the work hours — Tamil cinema usually follows 9 to 6, while in Malayalam it’s 9 to 9. I enjoyed that because I love spending more time on set. Malayalam cinema is known for its realism, and I see Tamil cinema moving in that direction now. We’ve always been a mix of commercial and realistic, but audiences today are more educated and receptive to authenticity.

As an actor, learning to polish myself in that realistic space is the biggest takeaway I’ve had from Malayalam cinema.

”‘I BELIEVED SAKKARAKATTI WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR ME, BUT WHAT I EXPECTED NEVER HAPPENED’Talking about films that played a major role in his career, Shanthnu says, “Every film teaches me something. Even if a film fails, it teaches us what not to do and where to improve — so I never regret doing any of my projects. I believed Sakkarakatti (2008) would change everything for me, but that never happened. That was a huge learning experience. Later, Paava Kadhaigal (2020) and Raavana Kottam (2023), which reflected the lifestyle of the deep South, shaped me further.

And then came Blue Star (2024) — my first theatrical success after 16 years in the industry. That film felt like a true breaking point in my career.”