Tharun Moorthy's directorial crime thriller film Thudarum starring Superstar Mohanlal, Shobana, Prakash Varma, Binu Pappu in the lead roles, was released in theatres on 25 April 2025.
The film, which marks the first collaboration between Mohanlal and director Tharun Moorthy, began streaming on JioHotstar from 30 May 2025 in Malayalam, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada.
The film, with a story by K. R. Sunil and screenplay by K. R. Sunil and Tharun Moorthy, received a massive response from audiences, collecting approximately Rs. 235 crores at the box office. It stands as the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025, just behind Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan.
Benz (Mohanlal), a taxi driver, lives with his wife Lalitha (Sobhana), son Pavan (Thomas Mathew), and daughter (Amritha Varshini). He treasures his black Ambassador, but after it’s misused for illegal acts following an accident, he seeks help from SI Benny (Binu Pappu). Things spiral when CI George Mathen (Prakash Varma) steps in, leading Benz to drive the officers first to a wedding, then to a remote forest where a startling truth is uncovered.
Mohanlal is the heart and soul of the film, delivering a stellar performance as a believable taxi driver. From his very first frame to the final scene, he keeps you fully engaged. His presence anchors the film, making this one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Prakash Varma impresses as I/DYSP George Mathan, capturing the manipulative edge of the role with striking authenticity. His ability to provoke strong emotions reflects the depth of his performance. Shobana as Lalitha, Binu Pappu as SI/CI Benny C. Kurian, and Farhaan Faasil as CPO Sudheesh deliver grounded and convincing performances, each bringing sincerity and depth to their respective roles.
Tharun Moorthy, with only two films behind him—Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka—shows remarkable command as a director, extracting one of Mohanlal’s most grounded performances and steering the film with precision.
Jakes Bejoy delivers a decent score that complements the mood, with Shaji Kumar’s impressive visuals enhancing the storytelling. The crisp editing by Nishadh Yusuf and Shafeeque V. B. keeps the film tight and engaging. For seasoned thriller fans, the twist might be predictable, but the execution is so well-crafted that Thudarum definitely deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Rating: 8/10
Q: What is Thudarum and who directed it?
A: Thudarum is a crime thriller film directed by Tharun Moorthy.
Q: Who are the lead actors in Thudarum?
A: The film stars Superstar Mohanlal, Shobana, Prakash Varma, and Binu Pappu in the lead roles.
Q: When was Thudarum released in theatres?
A: The film was released in theatres on 25 April 2025.
Q: When did Thudarum start streaming on OTT platforms?
A: It began streaming on JioHotstar from 30 May 2025.
Q: In which languages is Thudarum available on JioHotstar?
A: The film is available in Malayalam, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada.
Q: Who wrote the story and screenplay for Thudarum?
A: The story was written by K. R. Sunil, and the screenplay was by K. R. Sunil and Tharun Moorthy.
Q: How was Thudarum received commercially?
A: The film received a massive response, collecting approximately Rs. 235 crores at the box office.
Q: What is Thudarum’s standing among Malayalam films in 2025?
A: It is the second highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025, just behind Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan.
Q: What is the basic plot of Thudarum?
A: Mohanlal plays Benz, a taxi driver who lives with his wife Lalitha, son Pavan, and daughter. After his beloved black Ambassador taxi is misused in illegal activities following an accident, he seeks help from SI Benny. Things escalate when CI George Mathen intervenes, leading to a journey that uncovers startling truths.
Q: How is Mohanlal’s performance described in the film?
A: Mohanlal delivers a stellar and deeply believable performance, anchoring the film from start to finish and giving one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Q: How do other lead actors perform?
A: Prakash Varma impresses as CI George Mathan with a manipulative edge; Shobana, Binu Pappu, and Farhaan Faasil deliver grounded and convincing performances full of sincerity and depth.
Q: How does Tharun Moorthy perform as a director in Thudarum?
A: Despite having only two previous films, Tharun Moorthy shows remarkable command, extracting a grounded performance from Mohanlal and steering the film with precision.
Q: What about the technical aspects like music, visuals, and editing?
A: Jakes Bejoy provides a decent score complementing the mood; Shaji Kumar’s visuals are impressive, and the crisp editing by Nishadh Yusuf and Shafeeque V. B. keeps the film tight and engaging.
Q: Is the film recommended for thriller fans?
A: Yes, although the twist might be predictable for seasoned thriller fans, the film’s well-crafted execution makes it definitely worth watching.
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