Balki has written and directed the much enjoyed Cheeni Kum (2007), which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu. His second feature film was the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Paa, (produced by Sunil Manchanda and Abhishek Bachchan), released on 4 December 2009, starring Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, and Vidya Balan. Shamitabh was his third Bollywood venture starring Amitabh Bachchan, southern superstar Dhanush and Akshara Haasan, who made her debut in the film.