[4] Iqbal became a critical and commercial success and won a National Award in 2005, produced by Subhash Ghai's Mukta Searchlight Films.
He portrayed Sanjay, a senior bully in an engineering college setting, a role that established his presence as a 'bad guy' in Tollywood.
Balakrishna has worked with notable directors such as Nagesh Kukunoor, Sekhar Kammula, Gopichand Mallineni, and Ram Gopal Varma.
He made his Kannada film debut in Nooru Janmaku, directed by national award-winning director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, where he played the second lead.
[6] Apart from his acting career, Balakrishna represents the Telugu Warriors in the Celebrity Cricket League and is considered one of their key players.