Thudarum (2025):  Full Movie Recap, Review & Hidden Facts

Introduction
Thudarum (translated as “Will Continue”) is a 2025 Malayalam-language crime thriller directed by Tharun Moorthy, co-written with K.R. Sunil, and produced by Rejaputra Visual Media. Set in the serene hill town of Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, the film stars Mohanlal as Shanmugham, fondly called Benz, a former stuntman turned taxi driver, and Shobana as his wife, Lalitha. Released on April 25, 2025, Thudarum blends family drama with intense suspense, exploring themes of familial love, loss, honor, and revenge. The narrative begins as a light-hearted portrayal of everyday life but evolves into a gripping thriller, driven by Benz’s emotional journey and Mohanlal’s powerhouse performance. With a runtime that balances emotional depth and action, the film has been praised for its performances and visual storytelling, though some note its pacing and predictability as minor flaws.

Setting and Opening
The story unfolds in Ranni, a picturesque town known for its lush landscapes and close-knit community, captured vividly through Shaji Kumar’s cinematography. Benz, a middle-aged taxi driver, is the heart of the narrative, living a simple life with his wife Lalitha and their two teenage children, Pavi and a daughter. His prized possession is a vintage black Ambassador Mark 1 car, a gift from his mentor (played by Bharathiraja), which holds sentimental value as a symbol of his past as a stuntman and his current identity. The film opens with warm, relatable scenes of family life: Benz’s playful banter with Lalitha, his efforts to connect with his tech-savvy son Pavi, who is mildly embarrassed by his father’s old-fashioned ways, and his camaraderie with friends who admire his charm and sincerity. These moments establish Benz as a grounded, lovable everyman, setting the stage for the emotional stakes to come.

Inciting Incident
The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Benz travels to Chennai to attend his mentor’s funeral, leaving his family and car behind. In his absence, his Ambassador is seized by the Ranni police after a mechanic’s assistant unwittingly uses it for drug smuggling. The evidence is flimsy, but the arrogant and power-hungry Sub-Inspector Benny (Prakash Varma) refuses to release the car, using his authority to humiliate Benz. For Benz, the car is more than a vehicle—it’s a tangible link to his past, his mentor, and his sense of self. His attempts to retrieve it through pleas and legal channels are met with resistance, as Benny’s corruption and ego exacerbate the situation. This conflict introduces the theme of power abuse, with Benny representing a corrupt system that preys on the powerless.

Escalation and Emotional Core
As Benz grapples with the loss of his car, the story delves deeper into his family dynamics. Lalitha, portrayed with grace by Shobana, supports him but urges practicality, while Pavi’s teenage rebellion adds tension. The film’s tone shifts dramatically when a seemingly routine taxi job turns sinister. Benz is called by the police for a wedding-related ride, but the journey leads to a remote jungle area, where a shocking revelation unfolds (kept vague here to avoid spoilers). This moment, described as the film’s most intense interval point, shatters Benz’s world, plunging him into grief, guilt, and rage. The event is a catalyst that transforms the narrative from a family drama into a revenge thriller, with Benz’s emotional breakdown—particularly in a poignant bathroom scene—marking a high point of Mohanlal’s performance (Lensmen Reviews).

Second Half: Revenge and Resolution
The second half of Thudarum focuses on Benz’s quest for justice, as he confronts the forces responsible for his loss. His background as a stuntman comes into play, lending authenticity to the action sequences choreographed by Stunt Silva, which are both visceral and grounded. The narrative explores Benz’s transformation from a passive, family-oriented man to someone driven by a need to protect his honor and loved ones. The antagonist, SI Benny, and his accomplice (Binu Pappu) embody the systemic corruption Benz battles, with Prakash Varma’s debut performance as Benny noted for its menacing subtlety (Hindustan Herald). Without revealing spoilers, the climax is a blend of emotional catharsis and action, culminating in a courtroom scene where Benz makes a defiant stand, encapsulating the film’s themes of accountability and resilience.

The ending is intentionally open-ended, as suggested by the title Thudarum (“Will Continue”), hinting at Benz’s ongoing journey and leaving room for interpretation. This ambiguity has been praised for its emotional weight but critiqued by some for feeling unresolved (Times of India).

Characters and Performances

• Shanmugham (Benz) – Mohanlal: Benz is the emotional anchor, portrayed with a mix of warmth, vulnerability, and intensity. Mohanlal’s 360th film showcases his ability to shift from a relatable everyman to a man consumed by grief, with standout scenes like his emotional collapse earning widespread praise.
• Lalitha – Shobana: Lalitha is a pillar of strength, balancing love and pragmatism. Shobana’s return after 15 years, reuniting with Mohanlal, adds nostalgic appeal, with their chemistry grounding the family scenes.
• SI Benny / George – Prakash Varma: In his debut, Varma delivers a chilling performance as the corrupt officer, making Benny a formidable antagonist.
• Supporting Cast: Binu Pappu (Suresh), Maniyanpilla Raju (Kuttichan), Farhaan Faasil (Sudeesh), and Irshad Ali (Shaji) enrich the narrative, with Pappu’s role as a conflicted accomplice adding depth.

Themes and Symbolism
Thudarum weaves several themes into its narrative:

• Familial Bonds: Benz’s love for his family drives the story, with his sacrifices highlighting the lengths one goes to protect loved ones.
• Honor and Identity: The Ambassador car symbolizes Benz’s past, pride, and resilience, making its seizure a personal affront.
• Power Abuse: Benny’s corruption reflects systemic injustice, positioning Benz as an underdog against a rigged system.
• Revenge and Redemption: The film explores revenge not as glorification but as a response to unbearable loss, tempered by emotional complexity.

The car serves as a powerful metaphor, representing Benz’s connection to his mentor and his struggle to reclaim his dignity. The open-ended title suggests life’s continuity despite tragedy, resonating with audiences (The Hindu).

Narrative Structure and Pacing
The film is structured in two distinct halves:

• First Half: A slow-burn family drama, rich with humor, pop culture references, and Mohanlal’s self-deprecating nods to his past films. It establishes characters and stakes but has been criticized for its leisurely pace (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Second Half: A fast-paced thriller with action and emotional intensity, though some find it veers into conventional revenge territory, lacking the narrative ingenuity of films like Drishyam (Times of India).

The interval point is a masterstroke, shifting the tone and hooking viewers, while the climax balances action with emotional payoff, though some note its melodrama (Lensmen Reviews).

Technical Aspects

• Cinematography: Shaji Kumar’s visuals capture Ranni’s beauty and the story’s shifting moods, using serene landscapes in the first half and tighter, darker frames in the second (Lensmen Reviews).
• Music: Jakes Bejoy’s background score enhances emotional and tense moments, though the songs are less memorable (Filmibeat).
• Action: Stunt Silva’s choreography leverages Mohanlal’s stuntman background, making action sequences credible and engaging.
• Editing: Nishadh Yusuf and Shafeeque V. B. maintain a cohesive pace, though the first half could be tighter.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Mohanlal and Shobana’s performances, emotional depth, and the seamless blend of drama and thriller elements. The fan-service references and nostalgic appeal are bonuses for Mohanlal’s audience.
• Weaknesses: The slow first half may test patience, and the second half’s reliance on familiar revenge tropes disappoints those expecting more twists. Some police brutality scenes feel excessive (Times of India).

Comparison to Other Works
Thudarum is frequently compared to Drishyam due to Mohanlal’s portrayal of a family man pushed to extremes. While Drishyam excels in clever plotting, Thudarum prioritizes raw emotion and commercial appeal, making it distinct yet less intricate. Tharun Moorthy’s previous works, Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka, also show his knack for grounded storytelling, but Thudarum is his most mainstream effort (The Hindu).

Box Office and Release
Released in Malayalam and Telugu, Thudarum grossed ₹16.65 crore on its opening day and ₹70 crore in three days, making it the second-fastest Malayalam film to reach ₹50 crore (Pinkvilla). It earned $7.3 million globally, ranking 8th worldwide that weekend (Forbes). The film is expected to stream on JioCinema in mid-May 2025, potentially with Hindi subtitles (inews.zoombangla.com).

Conclusion
Thudarum is a compelling blend of heart and suspense, elevated by Mohanlal and Shobana’s performances and Tharun Moorthy’s sensitive direction. It excels as an emotional journey of a man fighting for his family and honor, though its pacing and predictable second half slightly temper its impact. The film’s open-ended title and Benz’s resilience leave a lasting impression, making it a must-watch for fans of Mohanlal and emotionally charged thrillers.

Key Points