There are films that make you smile. And then there are films that make theatres shake with laughter.
Hey Balwanth clearly belongs to the second category.
Starring Suhas and Shivani Nagaram, and directed by Gopi Achara, the film released in theatres and has quickly gathered good feedback. The film that is being talked about as a laugh riot has at its centre ghe character Banka; Sudarshan who plays Suhas’ friend and fires up the scenes with his comedy timing.
They’re calling him “Sudarshan 2.0.” Why?
In Hey Balwanth, Sudarshan plays “Bunk,” a character that doesn’t just exist to throw punchlines. It reacts, drives situations forward, and lands humour with sharp timing. From the much-discussed drinking sequence to the naturopathy centre scenes with Vennela Kishore, theatres are erupting with laughter.
According to Sudarshan, that impact came from comfort and chemistry. The cast shared an easy rapport, and that sync shows on screen. The comedy feels natural rather than forced, and that makes all the difference.
His journey into films was almost accidental. A short film titled ‘Amerikaku Daredi’ unexpectedly opened doors and led to an opportunity in ‘Run Raja Run‘. From there, he steadily built his space with films like ‘Dochey’, ‘Kumari 21F’, ‘Pataas’, ‘Samajavaragamana’ and ‘Naari Naari Naduma Murari’.
Each film added to his recognition. But Hey Balwanth feels like a shift — a moment where audiences are not just noticing him, but celebrating him.
So here’s why comedy in Hey Balwanth is working?
The answer seems simple. The comedy is situational. The emotional beats don’t feel heavy-handed. The ensemble, especially actors like Naresh, Suhas and Shivani play off each other effortlessly. Even Sudarshan admits that most pre-release predictions about the film’s business were off the mark. The response has exceeded expectations.
Interestingly, Sudarshan has begun receiving offers to play lead roles. But he is in no hurry. He says he is still growing as a comedian and does not want to risk losing that momentum. He also acknowledges a practical reality — once someone headlines a film, filmmakers may hesitate to offer smaller comic roles later.
If he ever turns hero, he says it would be for small, concept-driven OTT films rather than mainstream theatrical ventures.
Up next, Sudarshan will be seen in ‘Mrutyunjaya‘ and ‘Godavari Gattu Meeda“. He is also fielding offers from Tamil and Kannada industries, suggesting his popularity is steadily expanding.
For those searching for a quick Hey Balwanth movie review, here’s the takeaway from Fridaywall. It is a full-fledged entertainer powered by strong situational humour, lively performances and solid ensemble chemistry. Sudarshan, in particular, delivers one of his most memorable performances yet.
More than anything, Hey Balwanth proves that when comedy is written well and performed with rhythm, the audience doesn’t just laugh.
They erupt.
