‘Thalavara' locks August 22 release; Arjun Ashokan portrays a salesman with vitiligo; Teaser OUT
Malayalam moviegoers have seen
Arjun Ashokan
in all sorts of parts — the lovable everyman, the mischief-maker, the quietly intense friend. But 'Thalavara', hitting theatres on August 22, is clearly something else.
The film plants him in the skin of a supermarket salesman living with vitiligo, a man navigating the sting of prejudice while trying to keep his dignity intact. It's a part that calls for a mix of grit, vulnerability and that offbeat charm Arjun carries so well.
Familiar names, fresh territory
Behind the camera, Akhil Anilkumar calls the shots, with producers Mahesh Narayanan and Shebin Backer backing him. Between them, they've shaped some of the most talked-about Malayalam films of recent years ('Take Off', 'C U Soon', 'Thanneer Mathan Dinangal', 'Super Sharanya'), and their track record alone has pushed expectations higher.
Thalavara - Teaser | Arjun Ashokan | Revathy | Mahesh Narayanan | Akhil Anilkumar | Electronic Kili
Revathy Sharma, making her mark as the female lead, shares screen space with Arjun in a pairing that already feels promising. The Palakkad setting — complete with its distinct dialect — gives the film a rootedness that's rare in mainstream releases.
A teaser promises a unique drama
The teaser doesn't rely on heavy drama to pull you in. It opens on a wry supermarket exchange, slips into family squabbles, and drops hints of a romance both hesitant and hopeful.
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You see Arjun's character shrugging off casual cruelty, fumbling through moments of self-consciousness, and remembering a college heartbreak that still weighs heavy. It's funny in places, quietly aching in others. And by the time the final shot lands — a door opening, literally and figuratively — it's clear this isn't just about romance.
It's about letting yourself be seen.
Netizens seem to have already fell in love with the movie. Interestingly, most of them have loved the Vikram reference. One commented, "Chiyaan the range." Another one commented, "Chiyaan daaaaa." A third comment read, "Chiyaan Cutout
."
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