Thudarum Movie Review

Thudarum is a 2025 Malayalam-language action thriller directed by Tharun Moorthy, co-written with K. R. Sunil. Produced by M. Renjith under Rejaputhra Visual Media, this film stars Mohanlal and Shobana in the lead, with strong supporting cast including Prakash Varma, Thomas Mathew, Amritha Varshini, Farhaan Faasil, Binu Pappu, Maniyanpilla Raju, Irshad Ali, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Sangeeth Prathap, and others.

The film was released theatrically on 25 April 2025 in Malayalam, with dubbed versions (Tamil under the title Thodarum, Telugu, etc.) following soon after.

What’s the Story

Mohanlal plays Shanmugham, also known as Benz, a taxi driver (or former stunt assistant turned taxi driver in promotional material) who holds a deep attachment to his vintage black Ambassador Mark 1 car. His life in the hill town of Pathanamthitta is peaceful, devoted to family—wife, children, routines—until events spiral out of control.

The catalyst: his beloved car is seized in connection with a police investigation (drug smuggling or similar wrongdoing). From there, mystery, tension, corruption, moral dilemmas, and emotional strains begin to unravel his life.

The second half of the film intensifies the stakes. Shanmugham must navigate not just legal or external threats, but also the personal toll—his relationships, trust, and his own moral compass. The film seeks to balance family drama, action sequences, and emotional beats.

Cast & Technicals

• Mohanlal as Shanmugham / Benz – The backbone of the film. He carries both the quiet emotional parts and the storm of conflicts.
• Shobana – Plays Shanmugham’s wife, bringing emotional depth and gravitas, anchoring the family side of the story.
• Prakash Varma – As the antagonist CI George in many reports. His performance has been singled out as chilling and effective.
• Binu Pappu – Plays a morally grey character Benny, supplementing the conflict.
• Others: Farhaan Faasil, Thomas Mathew, Maniyanpilla Raju, etc., add layers and supporting arcs.

On the technical side:

• Cinematography: Shaji Kumar
• Music & Score: Jakes Bejoy, whose background music and soundtrack have been praised for enhancing the film’s mood and tension.
• Editing: Nishadh Yusuf and Shafeeque V. B. (after Yusuf’s unfortunate death, Shafeeque took over but both are credited)

What Works Well

1. Mohanlal’s Performance
   Mohanlal brings a mix of emotional weight, calm authority, and at times raw anger. In scenes involving his family, grief, or confrontation, he is convincing and draws the audience in. His performance is often cited as the major reason the film succeeds with viewers.
2. Emotional Stakes + Family Drama
   The film’s strength lies in how it grounds its thriller elements in personal relationships. The love for his car is symbolic—not just material but emotional; it’s part of his identity. When that is threatened, so is his sense of home and dignity.
3. Antagonist & Conflict
   Prakash Varma’s CI George is effective as a corrupt, intimidating force. The corruption, power play, and moral conflicts aren’t always cartoonish; there is enough gray to keep things interesting.
4. Music & Technical Craft
   Score, cinematography, setting (Pathanamthitta, hill towns, etc.) all lend visual and auditory atmosphere. The soundscape intensifies key moments; some action scenes get lifted by good editing and camera work.
5. Box Office & Audience Response
   The film has been commercially successful—earning big numbers especially in Kerala; dubbed versions also adding to reach. It has connected with audiences.

Where It Stumbles

1. Pacing & Length
   At about 166 minutes runtime, some viewers have felt the film becomes slow, especially in the first half. The build-up is deliberate, but some might find it lagging before things escalate.
2. Predictability
   The plot components—father protecting family, corrupt cops, mystery tied to past, the love for a car—these are familiar tropes. The film uses them well, but doesn’t always surprise. Some twists are anticipated.
3. Supporting Characters & Underuse
   Some critiques suggest that while the lead’s role is strong, certain supporting actors (including Shobana) could have been given more to do. Their screen time or emotional arcs sometimes feel secondary.
4. Tone Shifts
   The film tries to blend family drama, thriller, action, emotional sequences, moral dialogues. Sometimes the shifts feel abrupt—what begins as quiet family life moves into heavy violence or schematic corruption with less subtlety. Some viewers say the second half becomes more formulaic.

Final Verdict

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Thudarum is not a perfect film, but it delivers more than many of its contemporaries. Mohanlal shines, there are emotional moments that hit home, the villain is impactful, and the spectacle is engaging. If you’re a fan of family-anchored thrillers with moral complexity, Thudarum is very likely to satisfy.

It’s less for viewers expecting out-of-box storytelling or radical surprises. The film does rely on some tried and tested formulas. But overall, it earns its drama, its action, and its emotional beats.

What to Watch Closely

• The way the conflict tied to Shanmugham’s past is revealed (how well the backstory is handled).
• The action scenes—are they more than eye candy? Do they escalate logically?
• How well the emotional relationships (especially with his wife, children) are maintained amidst the thrills.
• Whether the dubbed versions preserve the emotional tenor (Tamil Thodarum, etc.) or lose impact.

Conclusion

In sum, Thudarum is a strong entry in Mohanlal’s 2025 roster. It may not reinvent the thriller genre, but it stands tall thanks to its lead actor, emotional core, and technical strengths. The film’s narrative around a man’s attachment—to his vehicle, his family, his dignity—resonates, especially when life forces him to fight back.

For those who love cinematic experiences that mix heart and grit, Thudarum is well worth a watch in theatres (or OTT where available).

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