Retro review: Suriya, Karthik's overstuffed film stumbles between eras and ideas

India Today

01-05-2025

What is the purpose of life? Some figure out on their own. Some people need a guiding light. Some die struggling. Director Karthik Subbaraj's 'Retro' is a story of an orphan with a Trishul (a trident) birthmark, who has a strong purpose in life. 'Retro' is Subbaraj's 'Jigarthanda Double XL' meets Arun Matheswaran's 'Captain Miller'. Is it as effective as 'Jigarthanda Double XL'? Let's find out!advertisementPaarivelkannan (Suriya) gets adopted by Sandhya (Swastika) and her gangster husband Thilagan (Joju George) after the two follow a few spiritual signs. Thilagan despises Paari as he is not his kid. His childhood drama rips off his smile and happiness, leaving him brooding all the time. When Sandhya dies, Paari is left with no one, but in a quick turn of events, Thilagan accepts Paari when he gives first-hand proof of how he can be an A-class henchman. This whole episode also brings Paari and Rukmini together - both of whom are also grieving the loss of their mother.14 years later, when Paari meets Rukmini in Coorg, sparks fly. After four years of courtship and several changes in his personality, Paari is now a transformed man, ready to leave his gangster life behind. But, is there a way out when you are neck-deep into a life that's all about gore and blood? Director Karthik Subbaraj answers this and more in over two hours and 48 minutes.advertisement
'Retro' begins on a spectacular note. The 15-minute single-shot sequence, featuring the catchy 'Kanima' song, showcases varied emotions and brilliantly choreographed stunt sequences. The rollercoaster of emotions that Suriya and Joju, as son and father, go through sets the stage for bigger conflicts. The story begins in the 1960s with Paari's life coming to an abrupt halt with the death of his speech-impaired father. After the flashback, the film takes us to the 90s when Paari and Rukku are trying to live like a normal couple. The conflicts begin with Paari and Joju's characters being at loggerheads over a costly dealing with foreigners. As the story shifts to Andamans, it also treads a treacherous slope that bogs down the impressive start. It is here the film falters majorly. Absurd ideas galore with random sermons on authoritarianism and democracy. So much so that the film feels overloaded at one point – a recurring problem in Karthik's films. While the world-building, umpteen meta references and political takes add depth, the story is so redundant that none of this matters.The references to the Lord Krishna-Rukmini story, the difference between Buddha and Krishna, its take on colonialism and democracy are all factors that could have contributed to a well-rounded story about one's purpose in life. But, the quirky nature of certain characters introduced later in the story drags the excitement down.advertisementSuriya, as Paarivelkannan, shoulders the film with his incredible range of expressions. 'Retro' is a great canvas for him to showcase who he truly is and what a director like Karthik Subbaraj could bring out from an actor like him. However, there is only so much that he can do in a film that drags on more than intended. Karthik Subbraj promoted 'Retro', calling it a love film. But, it is the love portion that has the least impact. While Pooja Hegde's Rukmini embodies Buddha, there is a lack of a character arc that makes you want to root for her. The film also introduces two quirky characters in the form of Nasser and Vidhu, who take it a little too far with their performances.'Retro's' story progresses in chapters and the first two chapters – Love and Laughter – are its weakest and there lies its biggest problem. While the film is technically sound, and composer Santhosh Narayanan's music and songs do their thing, 'Retro' suffers from schooling its audience. It not only shows but uses its characters to spell out everything to the audience.2 out 5 stars for 'Retro'.Trending Reel