I just caught Thudarum last night, and holy cow, what a ride! As a huge Mohanlal fan, I was hyped to see him team up with Shobana again after, like, forever. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, this Malayalam flick had me laughing, tearing up, and on the edge of my seat. It’s not perfect, but man, it’s got some serious heart. Here’s my take on why Thudarum slaps, what got me pumped, and a couple things that didn’t quite land.
A Story That Feels Like a Warm Hug… Then a Punch
So, Thudarum drops you in Ranni, this misty hill town, where Mohanlal plays Shanmugham, aka “Benz,” a retired stuntman driving his old-school Ambassador taxi. The dude’s all about his family, and the first half is straight-up cozy—think family dinners, cute banter, and some hilarious throwbacks to Mohanlal’s classic movies. I was grinning like an idiot, totally vibing with Shanmugham, his wife Lalitha (Shobana), and their kids.
Then, out of nowhere, things get dark. Shanmugham’s car gets nabbed by the cops in some sketchy drug setup, thanks to this creepy officer, CI George (Prakash Varma). The movie flips from warm and fuzzy to this intense revenge thriller, and I was all in. It’s about Shanmugham fighting to clear his name and protect his family, and let me tell you, it hits hard. That said, the second half feels a bit like stuff I’ve seen before—you know, the classic “hero gets even” deal. Still, the emotions kept me locked in.
Mohanlal and Shobana Are Everything
Mohanlal? Dude’s a legend for a reason. He’s 65, but he’s bringing it as Shanmugham—funny one minute, breaking your heart the next, and kicking butt in some dope action scenes. There’s this one look he gives, all pain and grit, that had me like, “Yup, that’s my guy!” If you’ve been bummed about his recent movies (same), this is the Mohanlal comeback we’ve been waiting for.
Shobana as Lalitha is pure class. She’s warm, strong, and totally nails every scene, but I was kinda bummed she didn’t get more to do later on. Their chemistry, though? Fire. It’s like they never stopped working together—total Manichitrathazhu vibes. The supporting cast is great too. Prakash Varma as the villain is straight-up chilling—guy’s got this quiet, scary energy that gave me goosebumps. Binu Pappu and Farhaan Faasil are solid, but Mohanlal and Shobana are the real MVPs.
Tharun Moorthy’s Got the Sauce
Tharun Moorthy, the guy behind Operation Java, knows how to spin a story. He nails the family stuff early on, making you care so much that when things go wild, you’re stressed for these characters. The visuals are stunning—Shaji Kumar’s cinematography makes Ranni look like a postcard, all misty and moody. And Jakes Bejoy’s music? Those folk beats had me feeling every high and low.
But, real talk, the movie’s a bit long at almost three hours. The first half takes its time, and while I loved the vibe, it could’ve been snappier. Also, there’s some heavy violence, especially one scene with a female character, that felt a bit much. I was like, “Okay, we get it, tone it down.”
Final Thoughts
Thudarum is a total vibe. Mohanlal and Shobana make it worth every second, and Tharun Moorthy delivers a story that’s got heart, laughs, and some serious thrills. It’s not flawless—the pacing’s a bit slow, and the revenge stuff feels familiar—but when it hits, it hits. I’m giving it a solid 4/5. If you’re into Malayalam movies or just want a mix of family feels and action, check it out. I’m still buzzing from those Mohanlal scenes!
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