Mohanlal's 'Thudarum' to stream on JioHotstar from May 30
Written by KR Sunil, Thudarum tells the story of 'Benz' Shanmugham, a cab driver in a small Kerala town. He enjoys a peaceful life with his wife Lalitha and their two children, Pavi and Pavithra. His cherished black Ambassador car becomes the catalyst for a series of unforeseen events, starting with a joyride gone wrong and the car being seized by the police. What follows is a gripping chain of incidents that lead to a major twist at the interval, leaving viewers stunned.
Though Thudarum is fundamentally a revenge thriller, it is filled with emotional family moments that endear Benz and his loved ones to the audience.
Vintage Mohanlal returns
Tharun Moorthy, known for Saudi Vellakka and Operation Java, has co-written the screenplay and ensures that his collaboration with Mohanlal shines. Fans have lauded the director for bringing back the vintage Mohanlal a perfect blend of the loveable family man and the fierce avenger.
In the film's first half, nostalgic nods to the actor's earlier classics bring a wave of sentimentality, while the second half is dominated by raw action and intense performances.
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Parrots on bicycles, tigers in the ring, and a thousand claps: India's lost circus charm
It began like a quiet buzz in the neighbourhood. Someone said they saw posters near the bus stop, someone else swore they heard a lion's roar from the maidan. By evening, it was official: the circus had come to homes across India during the 80s and 90s, this news lit up the house like Diwali. Chai cups were abandoned mid-sip, children ran barefoot to catch a glimpse of the tents going up, and grandparents reminisced about the last time they saw a man ride two horses at once. Plans were were marked. Clothes were ironed a day early. It didn't matter if your pocket money was tight or if your school had a test, the circus was packed snacks in steel dabbas, fathers negotiated half-day leaves from work, and cousins from the neighbourhood were rounded up like a battalion. Some came dressed in their best shiny frocks, buttoned shirts, oiled hair neatly parted. Getting ready for the circus was as exciting as getting ready for a festival. Tickets in hand, everyone would pile into rickshaws, scooters, or Ambassador cars. The excitement peaked as the giant tent came into view striped red-and-white canvas, rising like a fantasy UNDER THE BIG TOPThe circus tent wasn't just a shelter, it was a portal. The moment you stepped inside, the real world disappeared. It would start with a drumroll so loud it made your heart race. Then came the parade elephants with painted trunks, camels swaying like royalty, and ponies with bells on their ankles, all moving in perfect rhythm under the stood on their toes for a better look; some gasped, others just grinned with open mouths, not wanting to blink and miss a second. advertisement Then came the thrills, gymnasts twisting in the air like falling stars, motorcyclists tearing through the 'Maut ka Kuan' while the crowd held its breath, and artists flying through the air like they'd grown wings. Every stunt felt like a heartbeat skipped, every landing brought a burst of claps and clapped like they were ten years old again. Sometimes, a parrot will ride a miniature cycle. And then, the moment everyone waited for: the tiger. Caged until its turn, the majestic beast would be led into the ring to jump through hoops or balance on stools, its trainer cracking the whip in the always, someone would whisper: "Dekho dekho, asli sher hai!"And then came the favourite clown. Sometimes three or four clowns chase each other with floppy shoes, falling into buckets, pulling endless handkerchiefs from their sleeves, and surprising kids with flowers that spray could smell popcorn in one direction, sawdust in the other, and the thrill of something real in every corner of that GLORY DAYS: INDIA 'S ICONIC CIRCUSESNames like Gemini Circus, Jumbo Circus, Great Bombay Circus, and Rambo Circus were household legends. They weren't just entertainment brands; they were travelling Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the circus was often the biggest event of the didn't matter if it was sweltering or raining, people came. 'I went with my grandparents and cousins,' recalls Meena D'Souza, 42, from Pune. We dressed up like we were going to a wedding. That was our big family outing no malls, no Netflix, just pure joy in a dusty field under a tent.'CURTAIN CALL: WHY THE CIRCUS BEGAN TO FADEBut like many childhood delights, the circus quietly began to disappear. The reasons were many and entertainment habits: The arrival of cable TV in the late 90s, and later smartphones and YouTube, changed what kids found thrilling. Why wait for the circus once a year when you could watch superheroes fly any day on screen?Animal welfare laws: Rightfully so, the conversation around animal cruelty grew louder. In 1991, the government banned the use of certain wild animals. In 2017, the Supreme Court banned the use of all wild animals in circuses, making elephants, lions, tigers, and bears vanish from the ring. advertisementRising costs, shrinking returns: Tent rentals, transport, staff accommodation, animal care all cost money. But with dwindling footfall and urban space, most circuses couldn't sustain artists: Many performers came from circus families, passing down skills through generations. With the decline, some migrated to street shows, weddings, or low-paying stunt jobs. Others just disappeared into anonymity. But behind the dazzle, a darker truth quietly the years, awareness grew about the conditions animals were kept. The long, harsh training hours, confined cages, and unnatural tricks led to concerns about cruelty and exploitation. By the 1990s, animal rights groups began voicing strong 1991, the government banned the use of certain wild animals, and in 2017, the Supreme Court prohibited all performances involving wild creatures elephants, tigers, lions, monkeys, and birds. The cages were locked for the last time. The ring fell silent. advertisement'It was magical to watch, no doubt,' admits Vikram Solanki, 50, who saw his first circus at age 7. 'But knowing now what those animals went through, it's heartbreaking." Back then, we didn't know better. We just saw wonder.'Today, we remember those animal acts not to glorify cruelty, but to acknowledge a chapter of childhood that was both mesmerising and, in hindsight, flawed. It was a different time, one filled with wide eyes, loud claps, and innocent hearts that didn't yet know what went on behind the THE CIRCUS BE SAVED?Today, only a handful of circuses operate in India, often struggling, often unseen. Some have tried to modernise, focusing on acrobatics, dance, LED shows, and animal-free performances. But the digital generation is harder to enchant. Still, nostalgia persists. You'll find it in old family photo albums, in school essays beginning with "The best day of my life...", or in conversations where someone says, 'Do you remember that time we all went to the circus?'The circus may have packed its tent, but for a generation that grew up with its magic, it never really left. In a world of curated feeds and digital filters, the raw, sweaty thrill of the circus remains once upon a time in India, when the circus came to town, the whole town went with Watch
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
When Mohanlal reacted to Akshay Kumar remaking his Malayalam hits, 'You cannot compare actors'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Some of Akshay Kumar 's biggest commercial successes, including 'Garam Masala' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa,' were Hindi remakes of Mohanlal 's iconic Malayalam films from the 1990s. Notably, both the originals and the Hindi versions were helmed by filmmaker Priyadarshan , a long-time collaborator of Mohanlal. Earlier at the trailer launch of his directorial debut, 'Barroz,' Malayalam superstar Mohanlal candidly addressed the long-standing conversation around Akshay Kumar starring in Hindi remakes of several of his iconic Malayalam films. Far from being possessive or critical, Mohanlal expressed deep admiration for Akshay and called the films 'totally different' in nature, emphasizing that comparisons between actors are unfair. Vishnu Manchu On 'Kannappa': Prabhas, Mohanlal & Akshay Join Forces | South vs North Debate 'Stale'? 'You cannot compare actors,' says Mohanlal Speaking about Akshay Kumar's association with Hindi remakes of his Malayalam hits, Mohanlal said, 'Most of my films were remade into Hindi. And Akshay ji has done it. You cannot compare actors. This is totally different. Even the costume, character, and body language—everything will be different.' He went on to praise Akshay as a performer, stating, 'I love his films. He's a brilliant actor. He's very punctual. He loves his profession. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He's a 100% professional actor. I'm not that professional.' Akshay Kumar's long association with Priyadarshan and Mohanlal films At the same event, Akshay reciprocated the admiration, calling Mohanlal a legend. 'Like anyone else, I am also a huge fan of Mohanlal sir. I have seen many of his films. In your first film, you were a villain in 1980. I remember that film. And then 'Chithram,' which was directed by our friend Priyadarshan sahab,' he said. Work front On the work front, Mohanlal made his massive comeback after a series of underwhelming films by teaming up with Tharun Moorthy for the mystery drama film 'Thudarum.' Akshay Kumar has the most awaited 'Housefull 5' releasing on June 6. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
16 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Chotta Mumbai Re-release: Fans can't keep calm as Mohanlal starrer returns after 18 years
Chotta Mumbai, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, has been re-released in theaters on June 6, 2025. The Anwar Rasheed directorial hit the big screens after 18 years and surely fans can't keep calm. In various posts across the internet, netizens are sharing their reactions upon re-visiting the action comedy venture as the Lucifer actor mesmerizes with his iconic role. A video shared by AB George features visuals from a theater in Kottayam, Kerala, where a recent evening show has a packed audience. One user on X said, 'Chotta Mumbai is not only a celebration of Lalettan, but also of Rajan P. Dev, Kalabhavan Mani, Haneefikka, and Jagathy Chettan.' In the spirit of the same, another person wrote, 'Watched #ChottaMumbai ReRelease. Peak theatre experience. Upgraded really well. Superb visuals, far better than many Malayalam movies releasing even today. Sound wise also top. Go and exp it in the big single screens with full crowd. Life time celebration for cinephiles.' With many more netizens sharing similar visuals, it seems safe to say that Chotta Mumbai has turned theater screens into a pandemonium. Owing to the massive success of the movie's re-release, Mohanlal has penned a short note on his social media handle along with a still from the film. He said, 'Thanks for all the love. #Chottamumbai4k now in theatres near you!' Mohanlal's gratitude for Chotta Mumbai re-release reception Chotta Mumbai features the tale of Vasco Da Gama aka Thala, a former local wrestler's son who leads a life with happy-go-lucky terms. The man and his friends remain unemployed, creating havoc in their society and enjoying their lazy lives. However, things turn dark when he and his friends lock horns with a corrupt police officer who also lives as a gangster. With the Empuraan actor in the leading role, the film has an ensemble cast that includes Kalabhavan Mani, Siddique, Jagathy Sreekumar, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manikuttan, Bijukuttan, and many more in key roles. Coming to Mohanlal's work front, the superstar was recently seen in the thriller drama Thudarum. The blockbuster venture directed by Tharun Moorthy is streaming on JioHotstar. Moreover, the actor will next be appearing in a cameo role for Vishnu Manchu's Kannappa, with Sathyan Anthikad's Hridayapoorvam in the pipeline.
