Manjummel Boys fame Chidambaram locks June release for Balan: The Boy
Chidambaram's Balan: The Boy is set for a June 2026 theatrical release, in five languages. The announcement comes just after its Cannes market screening was confirmed, adding momentum to the emotional drama.
Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram’s next film, Balan: The Boy, has officially locked its theatrical release date. The film will release in cinemas on June 19, 2026, in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.
The announcement comes days after the makers confirmed that the film would be screened at the March du Film section of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. The upcoming market screening marks a major milestone for the project as it heads to the global stage ahead of its theatrical release.
Described as a deeply emotional drama, Balan: The Boy revolves around themes of identity, belonging and survival, with the relationship between a mother and son forming the emotional core of the story. While the makers have kept the plot details under wraps, the film is expected to deliver a layered and rooted cinematic experience.
The film is directed by Chidambaram and written by him along with Jithu Madhavan, best known for directing Romancham and Aavesham. Music is composed by Sushin Shyam, reuniting with Chidambaram after the success of Manjummel Boys. The technical crew also includes cinematographer Shyju Khalid, editor Vivek Harshan and production designer Ajayan Chalissery.
Produced by Venkat K Narayana under the KVN Productions banner along with Shailaja Desai Fenn of Thespian Films, Balan: The Boy has already generated significant curiosity among audiences.
For Chidambaram, the film marks a return to familiar territory after the blockbuster success of Manjummel Boys. Released in 2024, the survival drama became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, collecting over Rs 240 crore worldwide and earning both critical and commercial acclaim.