The much-awaited Malayalam film, Thudarum, marking the return of Mohanlal and Shobana as co-stars after 15 long years, is not just a cinematic experience—it’s a thunderous return to form for both its lead actor and its genre. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, who carved a name for himself with films like Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka, this movie takes his direction to another level. From the very first frame, Thudarum grabs your heart and ceases to let go. It’s not often that a film combines scale with soul, but Moorthy does just that. Every shot carries emotional weight, every frame is crafted with purpose, and each scene simmers with an intensity that eventually erupts in ways you never see coming.
Whether it’s the masterfully timed humour or the deep-rooted pathos, this film is layered, unpredictable, and filled with cinematic moments that feel iconic from the moment they land. Mohanlal, in his 360th film, delivers an exceptional performance. He brings charm, control, and unfiltered emotion to the screen—there are scenes where his mere glance conveys more than pages of dialogue. Shobana, elegant and fierce, is the perfect counterpart. Their chemistry is not just nostalgic—it’s electric. The duo’s return to the big screen has been worth every minute of the wait.
Visually, the film is a spectacle. Shaji Kumar’s cinematography is pure art—whether it's sweeping aerials or intense close-ups, each frame is treated like a painting. The music by Jakes Bejoy is a revelation—an emotionally attuned score that doesn’t just accompany scenes but elevates them. Every track is designed to resonate, and the background score is the beating heart of this film. Tharun Moorthy’s storytelling is bold. He toys with genre and tone, but never loses his emotional compass. He masterfully blends strong storytelling with sharp suspense, delivering an engaging family drama that keeps audiences hooked from start to finish.
There’s an interval block that explodes like a firecracker, and a second half that pushes every emotional button possible. It’s a rollercoaster that doesn’t allow you to sit still. Moments of humour, social commentary, and thrilling drama flow seamlessly into each other. The film is peppered with pop culture references, witty self-trolls, and unexpected genre shifts—all landing perfectly with the audience. It’s also a blockbuster in every sense. Massive background scores and goosebump-loaded scenes. The villain’s portrayal was so intense, the audience found themselves caught in the same fury as the protagonist. There are stretches where the theatre goes completely silent—testament to the emotional gravity onscreen.
Set in the misty hill town of Ranni in Pathanamthitta, Thudarum tells the story of Shanmughan, a soft-spoken taxi driver whose world revolves around his ageing Ambassador car. What seems to the outside world as just another rusting vehicle is, to him, a vessel of memories, love, and loss. His days are simple, but the emotions running beneath them are profound. As life throws unexpected challenges his way, Shanmughan’s journey becomes one of quiet resilience, emotional reckoning, and unshakable will. With its heart rooted in family, identity, and personal struggle, Thudarum becomes more than just a film—it becomes a reflection of anyone who’s ever clung to something they weren’t ready to lose.
Blending village life with modern sensibilities, Tharun Moorthy presents a slice of life filled with surprises, sorrow, laughter, and a staggering emotional payoff. The supporting cast, including Maniyanpilla Raju, Farhaan Faasil, Prakash Varma, Binu Pappu, Irshad Ali, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Thomas Mathew, and Krishna Prabha, all deliver solid performances, but it’s the central trio—Mohanlal, Shobana, and Tharun Moorthy—that give Thudarum its explosive core.
The movie is described as a slow-burn thriller that simmers steadily, letting the tension build with purpose. While it may remind you of Mohanlal’s iconic Drishyam—where a father goes to extreme lengths to protect his family—Thudarum inhabits a similarly compelling universe. Mohanlal plays Shanmugham, a benign and jolly cab driver who’s deeply sentimental about his beat-up vintage black Ambassador car. They call him the Benz Bro—a nod to the luxury car that contrasts with his humble Ambassador, once the common man's dream. He’s got two lovely kids and a gorgeous, age-appropriate wife played by the ever-elegant Shobana.
Together, they’re the picture of domestic bliss, living an idyllic life. But things take a dark and unexpected turn when his beloved car is impounded by local cops. What starts as a vanilla family drama quickly morphs into a gripping thriller, with the family's lives upended in the most brutal manner possible. Mohanlal is in fine form here. For those who’ve missed seeing him as a grounded, relatable everyman—someone with heart, flaws, and vulnerabilities—this performance feels like a welcome return to form.
The scenes where he breaks down in the bathroom are a searing masterclass in pathos, reminding us why he remains one of the finest actors of his generation. But Thudarum comes together as a compelling unit not just because of Mohanlal’s restrained brilliance, but also because of its dark, macabre villains. Actors Prakash Varma and Binu Pappu are wickedness personified, delivering chilling performances as horridly corrupt police officers drunk on unchecked power. Unsensitized to the violence they inflict, these men in uniform are the very portrait of pure, institutionalized evil.
Tharun Moorthy also uses water as a powerful metaphor throughout Thudarum. The rainfall, the leaking ceilings, the stillness of stagnant puddles—all mirror the rising emotional undercurrents of guilt, grief, and moral reckoning. Nowhere is this more heartbreakingly captured than in the scene where Mohanlal breaks down in the bathroom, overwhelmed by the weight of the crimes he has unknowingly enabled. It’s a hauntingly beautiful moment in a film that’s gorgeously shot and steeped in atmosphere.
But a word of caution—Thudarum takes its time. The first act moves at a glacial pace, but stay with it. Once it finds its rhythm, the payoff is well worth the wait. The legendary chemistry between Shobana as this Tamil woman who speaks Malayalam with her native twang and Mohanlal—once an iconic on-screen pair—has mellowed considerably. Don’t expect the same spark as the one that you remember from their 1990s super hits. But the movie doesn’t need any of those trappings per se. The chemistry is between Mohanlal and his monstrous villains played superbly by Prakash Varma and Binu Pappu.
In the end, Thudarum is a celebration of Mohanlal’s filmography, a film that showcases his range and depth as an actor. With its gripping narrative, strong performances, and emotional resonance, it’s a movie that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact. Tharun Moorthy has indeed delivered the Mohanlal we all longed for.
