NEW DELHI: KVN Productions and Thespian Films’ Balan: The Boy, directed by Chidambaram, is set to have a market screening in the Marché du Film section at the Cannes Film Festival.
The festival will run from 12 to 23 May, with the film scheduled to be screened on 14 May, according to a press release.
Written by Jithu Madhavan, Balan: The Boy follows a journey that explores themes of identity, survival and the enduring bond between a mother and her child.
Speaking about the film, Chidambaram described it as a story about “what we carry without knowing — the weight of where we come from, and the hunger to find where we belong”.
“I made this film for those who have felt both of these things deeply but never found the words for them. Cannes has always been a home for cinema that trusts its audience with that kind of truth, and Balan: The Boy does exactly that — inviting viewers to feel before they understand, and to carry something with them long after it ends,” he said.
Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions called the film “a statement” that reflects the very reason for entering the film industry. He added that Malayalam cinema is producing work that demands global attention, and expressed confidence that Balan: The Boy deserves to be at the centre of that conversation at Cannes.
Shailaja Desai Fenn of Thespian Films described the screening as “a matter of immense pride”. She shared that Cannes holds personal significance for her, recalling a promise she made during a visit in 2022 to return with a film.
“Standing here today with Balan: The Boy, I can say that some promises are worth every sleepless night. It is a moment of great pride for all of us to present a story we truly believe in at the Marché du Film,” she said.
She also praised director Chidambaram for bringing the vision to life, adding that the film tells a universal story that will resonate with audiences of all ages around the world.
(With inputs from PTI)
