Malayalam cinema’s celebrated writer-director Jithu Madhavan has spoken about his collaboration with filmmaker Chidambaram on the screenplay of Balan: The Boy, describing it as a creatively transformative experience that shaped the critically acclaimed film.
In a conversation, Jithu revealed that the story originated during the making of Romancham, and he had initially planned to direct Balan: The Boy himself. However, after discussions with producer Anwar Rasheed, he shifted focus to Aavesham, while the idea for Balan remained in development.
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Jithu said the project eventually evolved into a joint creative effort after actor Sajin Gopu suggested Chidambaram might be interested in directing it. The filmmaker, he noted, connected strongly with the basic idea, leading to a collaborative process that balanced both their sensibilities.
Reflecting on the partnership, Jithu said he is glad Chidambaram directed the film, adding that he may not have been able to achieve the same outcome. He described the writing process as highly collaborative, involving multiple discussions, location visits, and continuous rewriting to align the screenplay with Chidambaram’s narrative style.
He also highlighted how the collaboration changed his writing approach, noting that while he usually structures scenes around strong commercial “high moments,” Chidambaram preferred a more restrained, emotionally driven storytelling style. Several heightened scenes were deliberately toned down to serve the narrative better, with Jithu crediting these decisions for strengthening the film.
Calling it a learning experience, he said the process was rooted in mutual trust and a shared commitment to the story’s core.
Addressing the film’s reception, Jithu said the team aimed from the beginning to create a film that would spark conversation and critical engagement. He also spoke about the story’s focus on a mother-son relationship explored from a fresh perspective.
On the debated climax, he clarified that the ambiguity was intentional, allowing audiences to interpret the ending in their own way. He added that differing interpretations and discussions around the film were exactly what they had hoped for, and he views the ongoing conversation positively
