Balki wrote and directed the 2007 comedy-drama film
Cheeni Kum, starring
Amitabh Bachchan and
Tabu, which marked his directorial debut. His second directorial was the critically acclaimed and commercially successful
Paa, produced by
Sunil Manchanda and
Abhishek Bachchan which was released on 4 December 2009, starring
Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan and
Vidya Balan. The film received multiple nominations in addition to winning the
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi the following year. In 2015, he directed the satirical drama
Shamitabh which would mark his third collaboration with
Amitabh Bachchan. The film also starred Tamil actor
Dhanush and marked the acting debut
Akshara Haasan, daughter of actor-director
Kamal Haasan. In 2016, he directed the comedy-drama
Ki and Ka which starred
Kareena Kapoor and
Arjun Kapoor. In 2018, he directed the social comedy
Pad Man starring
Akshay Kumar and
Radhika Apte. The film was based on the life of
Arunachalam Muruganantham, which he co-produced, scripted and directed. In 2019, he co-produced and scripted the 2019 film
Mission Mangal, in addition to serving as a creative director. His next directorial was the thriller
Chup : Revenge Of The Artist, starring
Dulquer Salmaan,
Sunny Deol and
Shreya Dhanwanthary in lead roles. The film revolved around a serial killer who targets film critics. In 2023, he wrote and directed and the sports drama
Ghoomer starring
Abhishek Bachchan and
Saiyami Kher. It premiered at the
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. ==Personal life==