Bala made his directorial debut with the crime thriller Peddlers in 2012, which earned him a nomination for the Golden Camera Award at Cannes.
The film dealt with themes of urban isolation and the struggles of the youth in Mumbai, mixing crime and drama.
[2] His major breakthrough as a director came with Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018), a quirky action-comedy about a young man who feels no pain due to a rare medical condition.
Known for its humor and retro feel, the film features a mix of Bollywood nostalgia and intricate murder mystery, and was lauded for its style and storytelling.
[7][8][9] The film received mixed reviews from critics and ended up being commercially unsuccessful, for which Bala held himself responsible.