I lost nine kilos for my role in ‘Balti’, says Shanthanu Bhagyaraj
Shanthanu Bhagyaraj lost nine kilos to play a kabaddi player in Balti, releasing September 26. The sports drama stars Shane Nigam in his 25th film, alongside Alphonse Puthren and Selvaraghavan.
Chennai: Actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, who plays the pivotal role of a kabaddi player named Kumar in director Unni Sivalingam’s upcoming Tamil-Malayalam bilingual sports action drama Balti, says he shed over nine kilos to fit the part.
Looking every bit like a professional kabaddi player — lean and fit — Shanthanu said: “I have lost nine kilos. We had to undergo a training camp in kabaddi and for stunts.”
Set in the border region between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the film revolves around four boys who use their kabaddi skills to settle scores with rivals. Shanthanu will be seen as a specialist in the kabaddi move known as the “dash.”
The actor, whose recent Tamil release Blue Star was a superhit, returns to Malayalam cinema after almost 15 years with this project.
Originally scheduled for release on August 29 during Onam, Balti will now hit theatres worldwide on September 26.
Actor Shane Nigam stars as Udhayan, a fearless raider whose presence strikes terror in opposing defences. The film also marks his 25th outing, a career milestone.
The cast includes Preethi Asrani in a key role, while filmmaker Alphonse Puthren, known for the blockbuster Premam, appears as a ruthless gangster named Soda Babu. Selvaraghavan essays the role of Porthamarai Bhairavan.
Produced by Santhosh T Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander under the banners STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions, the film has cinematography by Alex J Pulickal, music by Sai Abhyankkar, art direction by Ashik S, editing by Shivkumar V Panicker, and costumes by Melwy J Action Sandhosh and Vicky handle the stunts.
