Thudarum (2025) Movie Movierulz

Thudarum, the 2025 Malayalam drama directed by Tharun Moorthy, brings together legendary actor Mohanlal and veteran actress Shobana in a compelling story. The film revolves around a humble taxi driver named Shanmughan in the quiet hill town of Ranni who treasures his aging Ambassador car above all else.

The supporting cast includes accomplished actors like Bharathiraja, Prakash Varma, Farhaan Faasil, and Maniyanpilla Raju. This crime thriller blends family drama with suspenseful elements while maintaining focus on character-driven storytelling.

Thudarum Film Casting

Plot and Storyline

Set in the serene hill town of Perunad, Ranni, the story follows Shanmughan who leads a quiet life as a taxi driver. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when he finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy after his car is confiscated by a corrupt police officer.

The plot explores themes of attachment, integrity, and the lengths one will go to protect what matters most. The screenplay maintains a good balance between emotional drama and thriller elements throughout.

Cast Performance

Mohanlal delivers a nuanced performance as Shanmughan, showcasing his ability to portray ordinary characters with extraordinary depth. His portrayal of the humble taxi driver demonstrates why he remains one of Malayalam cinema’s most respected actors.

Shobana brings her characteristic grace and emotional intelligence to her role as Lalitha. Her chemistry with Mohanlal adds significant depth to the narrative, particularly in scenes exploring personal relationships within the story.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Tharun Moorthy’s direction deserves praise for maintaining the film’s intimate scale while building substantial dramatic tension. Filming took place across multiple Kerala locations including Thodupuzha, Chennai, Walayar, Ranni, Vagamon, and Theni over 99 shooting days.

The choice of locations, particularly the hill town setting, contributes significantly to the film’s atmosphere and authenticity. The technical team’s work supports the narrative effectively with cinematography that captures both Kerala’s landscape beauty and intimate character moments.

Critical Reception and Ratings

Thudarum has received a solid 7.7 rating on IMDb, indicating generally positive reception from audiences. However, critical reviews have been more mixed with The Times of India giving it 3.0/5 and 123Telugu rating the Telugu version at 2.75/5.

The disparity in ratings suggests that while the film resonates strongly with some viewers, it may not universally appeal to all critics. Some reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes have given it perfect 5/5 stars.

What I Liked About the Film

I found the film’s greatest strength lies in its simplicity and authenticity. Mohanlal’s performance truly anchors the entire narrative, bringing credibility to every scene. The character of Shanmughan feels genuine and relatable.

The supporting cast contributes effectively, with each character serving a clear purpose in the story’s development. I appreciated how the film’s modest scale allows for intimate character moments that might be lost in larger productions.

The Kerala locations are beautifully captured, adding authenticity to the rural setting that’s central to the story. The direction maintains steady pacing that builds tension naturally.

Areas That Could Be Better

While I enjoyed many aspects, some elements could have been stronger. The storyline, though emotionally engaging, follows somewhat predictable patterns that may not surprise experienced viewers of Malayalam cinema.

The dubbed versions, particularly Telugu, face criticism for dubbing quality, which limits the film’s appeal in other regional markets. I felt the thriller elements could have been more tightly woven into the narrative.

Some reviews suggest the crime aspects feel somewhat secondary to the family drama components, which might disappoint viewers expecting a pure thriller experience.

Box Office Performance

The film achieved remarkable commercial success, being made on a modest budget of around 30 crores while grossing over 200 crores. It currently holds the distinction of being the third highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025.

This impressive return on investment demonstrates the continued appeal of well-crafted regional cinema and Mohanlal’s enduring star power. The success validates character-driven narratives in Malayalam cinema.

Public Response

The film’s commercial success speaks volumes about its audience appeal. User reviews have been generally positive, with many praising Mohanlal’s return to character-driven roles and the film’s emotional authenticity.

Audience appreciation stems from the film’s focus on relatable characters and genuine emotional moments rather than elaborate production values. The strong word-of-mouth has contributed to its sustained box office performance.

Final Verdict

Thudarum succeeds primarily as a showcase for Mohanlal’s acting abilities and solid direction. While it may not break new ground in storytelling innovation, it delivers a satisfying, emotionally engaging drama that resonates with audiences.

The movie works best as a return to storytelling basics – focusing on character development, authentic emotions, and genuine human connections. For fans of Mohanlal and Malayalam cinema, it offers a rewarding viewing experience.

Despite some critical reservations about predictability and technical aspects in dubbed versions, the film’s overall impact has been positive. It stands as a reminder that effective films often focus on universal human experiences rather than elaborate spectacle.