Dubai: There are countless stories unfolding around us, from the local coffee shop to the streets that we take every day. Many of these stories go unnoticed, but over the years, social media has played a key role in bringing these stories to the limelight. 

In recent years, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts have been key platforms to bring entertainment to our fingertips. Some of the most relatable content is now found in a 30-second – 1-minute video that we consume on a daily basis. We laugh, share, and save for rewatching when we move about our daily routine. With creators and artists making a splash in the content space and emerging as top contenders, one such star is out to make waves in the content space. 

“From my childhood, we grew up watching movies. They had been one of our favourite ways to spend time. We don’t think we have skipped any movies of the 90s,” says Bala Shankar, who just went viral for his video with Khalid Al Ameri. 

Bala Shankar grew up in Ernakulam, Aluva, where he was exposed to the ever-expanding world of cinema from a very young age. 

“Mum and Dad used to be movie enthusiasts too, and we all used to go to the theatre often. We have grown up watching movies of Lalettan, Mammooka and that of the bollywood actors, Sharukh Khan, Amir Khan, Salman Khan and others in awe.”

Having tasted the expat life in U.A.E. for the past 19 years, Bala Shankar has honed his passion for art and acting since childhood in Kerala. 

“During the initial years of my employment, my father was there in Dubai to support me. He, too, worked here for a while. I, too, was placed in good company, and life looked good, except that I missed my friends from college. Being in a new place all of a sudden was overwhelming and lonely in the beginning. I came here and built from scratch all the friendships that I hold so dear today.”

Bala has weaved his way through many facets of life and developed his skill set through singing, dancing, acting, and corporate life. Having debuted in the film industry as an Assistant Director in 2015, Bala Shankar’s zeal to do more as an actor grew. 

“I used to get a lot of venues to experiment with my talents, and the audience used to shower a lot of support. That gave me the confidence and pushed me to keep going.”

Having worked with production houses in Dubai and with many top actors in the Malayalam Film Industry, Bala Shankar is carving out a space for himself, trying to ride the wave of changes in the content space. As the new generation of content creators emerges, the film industry, as we know it, is changing, and along with it, the artists who adapt are making it big. With his recent project with Khalid Al Ameri having garnered immense praise, Bala Shankar has made the relatable, accessible to a broader audience.

“While going about my day as any other, I got a call from the casting team of Khalid Al Ameri. I was excited and auditioned for the role and got through the selection process. What happened next was magic to me- 35 million views for the reel! After the success of the first reel, he was ready to do another video with me. Everything from content to the crew was curated by Khalid. To be able to work with someone like Khalid Al Ameri is a huge privilege. He is a great human who has a heart of gold.” said Bala Shankar, speaking about his experience with Khalid Al Ameri.

Bala Shankar is one of those rare artists who has emerged as a channel for his audience and viewers, in general, to observe what content is going to look like as technology takes over the film industry. 

“If we have a good phone with a sound camera, we can create astounding creatives now. Be it modelling, dance or acting, one’s ingenuity and creativity will open doors and bring us to the limelight. Our work will receive it deserved recognition. It wasn’t the case before. We had to struggle a lot to get our work some visibility. So, it is good now; there’s space for all talents in cinema. The future is good.”

“Cinema has no language nor any barriers! I have a long way to go! I am still struggling, toiling and pushing myself to reach the place of my dreams. I believe the secret is simple… to keep one’s dreams alive, get a disciplined life, and work hard for our dreams; success will follow!” says Bala, as a piece of advice he wanted to impart to all those who have the zeal to make it big in the content space.

Over the years, Bala Shankar has emerged as a recognisable face in the U.A.E. for his work and skill.

“Someone who has the capability to unfold into a character, keeping all the ingenuity, has a space to grow in this place. All we need is talent and hard work… and yes, time! Thanks to the U.A.E. government and the initiatives they do in this space, the movie landscape is flourishing in the country for both nationals and for people like us.. expats.”

With the world moving towards a plethora of content from various regions and cultures, artists like Bala Shankar are bridging the gap between relatability and the future, all while making the mundane seem irresistible.