Zee Music Company Unveils ‘Balan: The Boy’ Roundtable Featuring Priyadarshan And Sushin Shyam

Coinciding with the theatrical release of Balan: The Boy, Zee Music Company has released a special behind-the-scenes conversation on its YouTube channel, bringing together some of Indian cinema's most respected creative voices to discuss the making of the film.

The roundtable features veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, director Chidambaram, writer Jithu Madhavan, composer Sushin Shyam, cinematographer Shyju Khalid, editor Vivek Harshan and Sujal Parekh, Chief Business Officer at Zee Music Company. The discussion offers audiences an in-depth look at the creative process behind the film, exploring its storytelling, visual language and music.

Produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Balan: The Boy released in theatres today in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. The film centres on themes of identity, belonging, survival and the emotional bond between a mother and her son.

A significant portion of the conversation focused on the film's music and sound design, highlighting how the soundtrack became an integral storytelling device. As the film's official music partner, Zee Music Company has played a key role in bringing the soundtrack to audiences across multiple languages and markets.

Among the tracks discussed was Thaakkol, a nursery-rhyme-inspired composition that introduces viewers to the film's whimsical and childlike universe. Composed by Sushin Shyam, written by Anvar Ali and sung by Nila Raj, the song captures a sense of innocence and wonder while hinting at the deeper mysteries within the narrative.

The team also reflected on Engotta, another standout track from the soundtrack. Composed and performed by Sushin Shyam with lyrics by Anvar Ali, the song explores themes of love, freedom and discovery, mirroring the film's central mother-son relationship.

Speaking about his collaboration with the composer, director Chidambaram said, “Everyone has seen the kind of score he created for Manjummel Boys. It is very easy to work with him, and a privilege to collaborate with him on Balan: The Boy.”

Sharing insights into the film's sonic approach, Sushin Shyam said, “We wanted the music and OST to have an intimate palette, especially around the mother-son relationship. For one of the songs, titled Makane Makane, we also worked towards creating a specific sound with the help of Shanka Tribe and Neha Nair around the fisherman community and the world they inhabit.”

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan praised the film's emotional depth and musical sensibility, saying, “The mother-son relationship is one of the most touching relationships in the world. Balan: The Boy is a very emotional film, and I really liked its melodic approach to music.”

During the discussion, Priyadarshan also briefly touched upon his upcoming projects, including Bhooth Bangla and Haiwaan, offering insights into the diverse stories he continues to explore as a filmmaker.

The conversation is now available to watch on Zee Music Company's YouTube channel, offering audiences a closer look at the creative minds behind one of the year's most anticipated releases.