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Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Thudarum Movie Review: Mohanlal starrer offers driven crime drama with few roadblocks
Thudarum, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, hit the big screens on April 25, 2025. After more than a month in theaters, the movie has entered the OTT space and is now streaming on JioHotstar in five different languages, including the original Malayalam version. If you're planning to watch this crime drama directed by Tharun Moorthy, here's the Pinkvilla review. The Plot Thudarum tells the story of Shanmugham, a taxi driver affectionately known as Benz. He lives in the quaint town of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, with his wife Lalitha and their two children, Pavi and Pavithra. Once a stunt performer in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, Benz left the film industry after his friend died in a tragic on-set accident. Since then, he has embraced the life of a family man, navigating the usual ups and downs that come with it. Along with all this, Benz also owns a black Ambassador Mark 1, a prized possession he treats like a family member. After leaving the car for repairs and traveling to Chennai for a funeral, Benz returns to find his vehicle seized in a police case involving the alleged smuggling of a psychoactive substance. As he tries to navigate the conflict, Benz crosses paths with several policemen, uncovering a deeper, darker truth that changes his life forever. What happens next and how Benz deals with his situation form the rest of the movie. The Good Thudarum is undoubtedly a refreshing change for fans who felt something was missing from Mohanlal's recent filmography. While L2E satisfied some and left others wanting more, Thudarum arrived like a storm, creating a unique sense of awe. The movie begins as a family drama, with Mohanlal and Shobana showcasing the evergreen chemistry they share. As a fanboy of the superstar, director Tharun Moorthy infused the film with major pop culture nods and a sense of nostalgia, beautifully capturing the charm and nuances between the lead actors. As the simmering beauty of their chemistry as an aging married couple deepens, the first part of the film smoothly transitions from a family-oriented story to a world filled with suspense and doubt. While the first half delivers a consistent impact with its narration, the second half lags slightly, though the film remains a complete and worthwhile watch. On the technical front, the director executed the movie with great care, presenting a visually engaging spectacle. From Mohanlal's iconic slanted shoulder walk and the way he folds his dhothi to a daring jump through a broken window, the film showcases the superstar's stardom while highlighting his acting prowess. Additionally, the film boasts an impressive structure, with KR Sunil's screenplay serving as its backbone. The non-linear narrative unfolds with suspenseful twists, making the movie even more engaging. Jakes Bejoy delivers his signature musical tracks, and cinematographer Shaji Kumar complements the story with striking visuals. The Bad Thudarum, despite being an above-average watch, falls short in some areas. While the performances and narration are strong, the film suffers from predictability, which might not appeal to all viewers. Additionally, with a runtime close to 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie could have benefited from tighter editing. The story's extension, particularly in the second half, loses momentum compared to the more engaging first half. Finally, while Jakes Bejoy delivered well with the tracks and the promo song, the background score could have been more enriching. On a side note, the use of AI visuals in the film felt unnecessary and could have benefited from further refinement. The Performances Thudarum showcases one of Mohanlal's best performances in recent years. Often called the 'Unassailable Thespian,' the superstar shines with his acting prowess, reaffirming the stature he holds today. Whether in emotional scenes or gripping action moments, Mohanlal delivers with impeccable timing and natural talent—proving his enduring brilliance even at the age of 65. With Shobana delivering her signature subtle and mesmerizing performance, Prakash Varma steals the show as the calm, collected, yet menacing antagonist. The ad filmmaker turned actor perfectly balances a gentle demeanor with a formidable presence, creating a villain whose personality is richly layered and enhanced by his skills. Hopefully, Varma will get more diverse roles in the future—not just as antagonists but also exploring innocence and humor. Watch Thudarum trailer The Verdict Thudarum is undoubtedly one of the best recent Malayalam films. If you enjoy crime dramas like Drishyam, this one is definitely worth a watch.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mohanlal Offers 'Thanga Vel' At Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple After Thudarum's Success
Last Updated: Mohanlal achieved a rare milestone by starring in two Malayalam hit movies, L2: Empuraan and Thudarum Malayalam superstar Mohanlal recently visited the Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple in Tamil Nadu and offered a 'Thanga Vel' (golden spear) as a gesture of gratitude for the success of his latest film, Thudarum. The actor's photos went viral on social media. Fans are praising his religious side. To note, Thudarum will soon be streaming on an OTT platform. Dressed in simple attire, Mohanlal was seen arriving at the temple with folded hands, accompanied by close aides and temple priests. The highlight of the visit was the ceremonial offering of the Thanga Vel, an item of deep religious significance associated with Lord Murugan. Mohanlal achieved a rare milestone by starring in two Malayalam hit movies, L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, which earned over Rs 100 crore in the same year. Thudarum continues to attract crowds even weeks after its release on April 25. The film not just earned praise from critics but fans too showered love, due to which it broke several box office records. Due to its success, the digital release was delayed by a few weeks. Now, Jio Hotstar, which holds the streaming rights for this crime thriller, has finally announced its streaming date. Those who missed the chance to watch Mohanlal's latest hit on the big screen can watch it easily at home starting this weekend. According to the streaming giant, Thudarum will be available online starting Friday, May 30. Fans can watch the Mohanlal starrer not only in its original language, Malayalam but also in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Kannada. Thudarum tells the story of Mohanlal's character, Shanmugham, aka Benz, after his old black Ambassador Mark 1 car. Once a film stunt assistant, Benz now lives a simple life as a taxi driver in the scenic town of Pathanamthitta. But his simple life turns upside down when his car gets linked to a police case, due to which Benz gets caught in a tense chain of events. Other than Mohanlal, Thudarum also stars Shobana, Prakash Varma, Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, Irshad Ali, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Thomas Mathew, Sangeeth Prathap and Krishna Prabha in key roles. First Published:
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
OTT releases this week: New movies, web series to watch; HIT 3, Retro, Criminal Justice Season 4 and more
OTT releases this week: A number of new movies and web series will be available on OTT this weekend on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, JioHotstar and SonyLIV. Let's have a look at the ones that are available to watch online. Plot: HIT The Third Case is the follow-up to Sailesh Kolanu's HIT: The First Case (2020) and HIT: The Second Case (2022). The third film follows the story of SP Arjun Sarkar, a cop who solves a murder mystery. Cast: Nani, Srinidhi Shetty, Surya Srinivas, Adil Pala, Prateik Smita Patil Languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada Plot: Madhav Mishra returns to face his most demanding case yet. Set in a world where every truth is layered and nothing is as it seems, the series plunges viewers into a gripping legal drama filled with emotional and ethical complexity. Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Shweta Basu Prasad, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Asha Negi, Purab Kohli, Deshna Dugad Plot: Thudarum follows Shanmugham, affectionately called 'Benz' due to his cherished black Ambassador Mark 1 car. A former film stunt assistant turned taxi driver, Benz leads a peaceful life in the hill town of Pathanamthitta. However, his world is turned upside down when his car becomes involved in a police investigation, leading him into a gripping tale of justice and resilience. Cast: Mohanlal, Shobhana, Prakash Varma, Binu Pappu Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi Plot: KanKhajura is the Hindi adaptation of the critically acclaimed 2019 Israeli drama series Magpie. It follows Ashu, a man released early from prison on the condition that he continues working as a police informant. Cast: Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina, Sarah Jane Dias, Mahesh Shetty, Ninad Kamat, Trinetra Haldar, Heeba Shah, Usha Nadkarni Plot: The film revolves around a reformed gangster who is determined to honour a promise to his wife and live a quiet life. However, it is not that easy for him as his past resurfaces, threatening the peace he has fought to build. Cast: Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Joju George, Karunakaran, Nassar, Prakash Raj Languages: Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam Plot: A Complete Unknown explores the early life of iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, focusing on his rise to fame and the cultural shift he brought to the music scene. Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning Original Language: English Plot: The second season of the critically acclaimed series follows a new set of nine guests who arrive at an elite wellness retreat. At the centre of the story is Masha Dmitrichenko, a charismatic and enigmatic wellness guru who uses unconventional — and sometimes controversial — psychedelic therapy to heal trauma and unlock human potential. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Murray Bartlett, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Henry Golding, Mark Strong, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Lena Olin, Lucas Englander, Aras Aydın, and Dolly de Leon Genre: Psychological drama Original Language: English OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Release Date: May 21, with release weekly every Wednesday culminating in a gripping finale on July 2.
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Latest South movies to watch on JioHotstar: Mohanlal starrer Thudarum and Sasikumar's Tourist Family
Popcorn ready? Because the South Indian movie lineup on JioHotstar just got hotter! These latest arrivals bring you high-octane action, heartfelt family drama, rib-tickling comedy, and much more—all at the tap of a button. If you've been hunting for new titles, your search ends here. Latest South movies to watch on JioHotstar 1. Thudarum Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma Release date: May 30, 2025 If you like Malayalam crime thrillers, then do watch Thudarum. It tells the emotional story of Shanmugham, better known as Benz. Once a daring stuntman in films, he left the industry after a tragic on-set accident took the life of his close friend Anbu. Now, he leads a quiet life as a taxi driver. He lives peacefully with his wife, their two kids, and his favorite car. However, his simple world is turned upside down when his car is seized in connection with a smuggling case. Unknown to him, the police had hidden a dead body inside his vehicle and forced him to help get rid of it. The real shock comes later—Benz discovers the body was his missing son. The truth hits hard: the police had killed his child and framed him to cover up their crime. Heartbroken and furious, Benz decides to fight back and seek justice. 2. Tourist Family Cast: M Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, Kamalesh Jagan, Yogi Babu Release date: June 2, 2025 Tourist Family centers around a Sri Lankan family of four—Dharmadas, his wife Vasanthi, and their sons Nithushan and Mulli. Due to the worsening economic situation in their home country, they flee to India and seek shelter with Vasanthi's brother, Prakash. To avoid trouble, they decide to conceal their Sri Lankan identity. The family pretends to be Malayalees, hoping to blend in. Though initially cautious, they soon grow closer to their new neighbors. Despite warnings to stay discreet, their warm nature leads to new friendships and unexpected bonds.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Malayalam movies to watch on OTT this week (May 26 - June 1): Thudarum, Jerry to Dance Party
If you're searching for fresh Malayalam films to stream this week, you're in luck. The latest OTT releases bring a mix of genres and intriguing stories that promise to keep you hooked. From intense thrillers to comedy dramas and everything in between, the options are varied and exciting. With so much good cinema available right at your fingertips, it's the perfect chance to catch up on the best of Malayalam movies from home. Malayalam movies to watch on OTT this week 1. Thudarum Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Thomas Mathew, Prakash Varma, Binu Pappu Where to watch: JioHotstar Release date: May 30, 2025 Thudarum tells the emotional story of Shanmugham, fondly called Benz, a former stuntman turned taxi driver. After losing his friend Anbu in a tragic accident, Benz leaves the film world behind. His life is now all about his wife, their two children, and his Ambassador car. But peace turns to horror when the police seize his vehicle in a drug case. Shockingly, they hide a body in the car and force Benz to help. The real blow comes when he learns the body is his missing son, Pavi. Grief-stricken and furious, Benz decides to seek justice on his own. 2. Jerry This Malayalam film draws heavy inspiration from the classic Tom and Jerry cartoon. It follows a mischievous mouse named Jerry who causes chaos in a household. What begins as a small nuisance soon grows into a larger problem. The humans struggle to deal with the clever intruder using unusual and funny tactics. Amid the mouse hunt, the film also highlights the bonding of family members who begin to understand and support one another. 3. Dance Party Cast: Sreenath Bhasi, Prayaga Martin, Shine Tom Chacko, Vishnu Unnikrishnan Where to watch: Manorama Max Release date: May 30, 2025 Dance Party is a youthful entertainer that captures the energy and chaos of modern relationships. The story follows Anikuttan, a man deeply in love with his girlfriend, Anitha. He dreams of marrying her but things spiral when an unexpected twist enters their lives. His brother Boban gets engaged to the mayor's daughter, who once had a fling with Boban's friend, Bobby. This surprising link triggers a series of misunderstandings. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more such stories!
