Thudarum

Thudarum, a recent Malayalam crime thriller, arrived with considerable hype, promising a gripping narrative powered by stalwarts like Mohanlal and Shobhana. While the film delivers in patches-showcasing stellar performances and technical finesse-it struggles to rise above a formulaic storyline and inconsistent direction, ultimately feeling like a missed opportunity to transcend genre conventions.

The writing lacks freshness, making key twists feel telegraphed and diluting suspense. However, the cast elevates the material. Mohanlal brings his trademark gravitas to the role, though it's far from his most challenging. The real scene-stealer is the anti-hero, portrayed with chilling charisma, whose layered performance adds much-needed intrigue. Shobhana, in a limited role, impresses with her poise and emotional depth, leaving viewers wishing her character had more screen time.

Technically, Thudarum shines. The cinematography is atmospheric, using shadows and tight frames to amplify tension, while the background score (BGM) complements the gritty tone with pulsating rhythms. That said, the direction falters in pacing, with sluggish stretches disrupting momentum. The film's inability to balance style with substance becomes evident as it progresses, relying too heavily on star power rather than narrative innovation.

Thudarum is a watchable yet uneven experience. While Mohanlal's presence, the anti-hero's magnetic performance, and Shobhana's brilliance anchor the film, the derivative script and lackluster direction hold it back. The technical prowess and gripping BGM make it visually and aurally engaging, but the overhyped project never fully transcends its mediocrity. For die-hard fans of the cast, it's a decent one-time watch; for others, it's a reminder that even a stellar ensemble can't salvage a story that plays it too safe.

After Drushyam, I don't recall Mohanlal acting in another family thriller. He's mostly been focusing on pan-Indian or big action dramas like L2: Empuraan. While he's done a few suspense thrillers here and there, they didn't really fall into the family thriller category. Now, after several years, he's back in that space with Thudarum. I wouldn't compare it to Drushyam-even though many are drawing parallels-because this one has a unique story and a completely different screenplay. Still, it comfortably fits under the "family thriller" label.

What's impressive is that Thudarum, made on a modest budget of around 30 crore, has already grossed over 200 crore. That kind of success clearly comes down to its strong story, direction, and screenplay.

Thanks to OTT platforms, I've recently been watching more Malayalam films, and honestly, the Malayalam industry feels like the Korean film industry of India. There's a clear focus on storytelling and screenplay rather than just star power. Thudarum is another solid example of that quality. Of course, having a star like Mohanlal helps-it definitely contributed to the film's reach and collections.

The film follows Benz, a taxi driver leading a simple life. He was once a stunt double in films, but after an accident involving a close friend, he had to leave that line of work. Now, a misunderstanding leads to his beloved taxi being seized by the police. Despite his repeated pleas, a stubborn officer, SI Benny, refuses to return the car. But Benz is determined to get it back, no matter what. That determination kicks off a series of unexpected events that shape the rest of the story-something you'll want to experience firsthand.

True to the spirit of Malayalam cinema, Thudarum offers depth-both in characters and in the multi-layered screenplay. Each character feels real and well-developed, and the layered storytelling keeps you hooked throughout.

Mohanlal is fantastic. He completely disappears into the role of Benz. Whether it's helplessness, frustration, quiet rage, or subtle emotion, he nails every shade. There are some commercial touches too-action scenes and fights-but they feel believable because Benz is established as a former stuntman. Shobana, who plays his wife, is excellent as always. But the real surprise is Prakash Varma as CI George Mathan. I can't say too much without spoiling things, but his performance is one of the highlights.

Tharun Moorthy's direction is top-notch, and the music adds to the film's atmosphere. Editing by Nishadh and Shafeeque is sharp and crucial for a film like this-it keeps the pace tight without losing emotional depth.

Overall, Thudarum is another gem from the Malayalam industry. And with Mohanlal leading the way, the film strikes a balance between class and mass appeal. Both kinds of audiences will find something to enjoy here.

I took a leave from my job to watch this movie with just average expectations, the film shocked me from minute 1itself. Brilliant music, story telling, direction, acting, all 10/10 with very little flaws. The film was not at all lagging and was exciting throughout, with quirky one liners from both shobana and mohanlal. The one negative i noticed was the fact that the climax was a bit rushed, but still the film managed to be entertaining thoughout. Good supporting roles from binu pappu, and ali. WELL WORTH THE MONEY. INFACT I MIGHT EVEN GO SEE IT A SECOND TIME

Hats off to tharun moorthy and kr sunil.

Thudarum starts with a warm and feel-good vibe, perfect for a family watch. It was very exciting to see Mohanlal and Shobana sharing the screen again after a long time, and the humour part worked out almost 90% well.

The movie smoothly moves into the main story without any confusion. It catches our attention quickly and makes us think about what could happen next. The small reference jokes here and there also worked nicely, giving us some good laughs.

As the movie goes on, it slowly changes its tone and becomes more serious, making us curious about what is really happening. The interval block was very interesting and left a lot of questions in our minds, which made the second half even more exciting.

In the second half, the background music (BGM) really lifts the screenplay, especially during the emotional scenes. It was a treat to see a different side of Mohanlal after a long time - his performance alone is worth the ticket price.

The songs in the movie are energetic and catchy, and I believe every song will become a hit soon. Though the story is something we have seen many times before, Mohanlal's amazing acting makes it feel fresh and different.

At times, the movie reminded me of Drishyam, especially during scenes where the family faces brutal situations. Even small details like eye movements and camera shots were carefully done.

There are also a few action scenes, and the BGM during those moments was just perfect. Every actor in the movie did a decent job and played their roles nicely.

Overall, Thudarum is a well-made, emotional, and thrilling family movie that is definitely worth a watch!

I had high expectations for this movie, but the first half didn't quite live up. The story was somewhat predictable. However, the second half redeemed it, with satisfactory developments.

Highlights 1. Music : Jakes Bejoy's score elevated the scenes, particularly in the second half.

2. Cinematography: Shaji Kumar's visuals were impressive, especially in capturing Mohanlal's presence.

Observations 1. Similarities to Drishyam: The plot felt like a reverse template of Drishyam, with Mohanlal and the police officer standing out.

2. Good performances: The cast delivered solid performances.

Worth a watch.