Thudarum

“Thudarum” (2025) Tharun Moorthy’s proto-Malayali crime fiction-thriller, with Mohanlal as the returning prodigal pursuing a reunion with his childhood dump-heroine, Shobana (C) Veyilavan/IMDB Shan, like all good taxi drivers, is a great listener, but when the love of his life, his black Ambassador taxi, disappears without a trace, Shanmugham is thrown into a twisted underworld of lies, grief, and deadly pursuit, where he must fight for justice, peace, and closure.

In the quiet village of Perunad Ranni, Shanmugham, known as Benz, leads a simple life with his wife Lalitha and their children. He used to be a stuntman in Bollywood but now drives his cherished Ambassador taxi. Trouble arises when his son Pavi and his friends crash the taxi, resulting in a man's death. As Benz repairs the car, a mechanic's assistant, driven by revenge for his brother's death, secretly uses it to transport heroin. The police seize the vehicle, and Benz struggles to get it back. During intense questioning, police officers CI George Mathan and SI Benny force him to drive them to a wedding, where they unexpectedly dispose of a dead body in the forest, which turns out to be Pavi.

Devastated, Benz investigates Pavi's death, uncovering that George shot him after a fight. Framed for murder, Benz escapes custody, killing Benny and confronting George, who admits his guilt. Benz then drowns George and asserts in court, “I didn’t kill my son. I have killed his murderers. ”

“Thudarum” is a raw and intense crime drama and judicial thriller to be experienced on multiple emotional and psychological levels. Mohanlal anchors the film with a haunting portrayal of a father driven to the brink, and cinematic representation of grief, moral courage, and rebellion against graft lingers long after the credits roll. With confident direction and propulsive storytelling, it’s a truly breathtaking film. The title, which means “carrying on,” sublimely weds it to the closing word of love carried on with responsibility.