“Thudarum”: An Absolute Treat
As always, watching a Mohanlal film as the FDFS still gives me butterflies, and today was no exception as I entered the hall to watch the Tharun Moorthy film titled “Thudarum”. Mohanlal has never been far from myriad controversies, but whenever a film of his releases in Kerala, it always makes the news. “Thudarum” was also in focus right from the first day of its shoot due to the Tharun-Mohanlal combo, Shobhana’s return, and many more. The posters, trailer, and the confident-looking Tharun in various interviews had given ample hope, and for me, “Thudarum” has provided immense satisfaction. Set in a hilly terrain, the film begins with a few scintillating shots and sequences that are quite unexpected. Soon, it transitions to the family saga of Shanmugham (fondly called ‘Benz’), a taxi driver played by Mohanlal, his wife Lalitha, portrayed by Shobhana, and their two kids. The audience learns that Shanmugham was once a stunt artist who worked with his master Palaniswamy (superbly performed by Bharathiraja, the veteran Tamil filmmaker), who left Chennai years ago and is now settled in Ranni. Shanmugham treasures his old black Ambassador car more than anything in his life.
The first half of the film is breezy, filled with countless warm moments involving both the family and Shanmugham’s friends (Maniyanpilla Raju, Irshad Ali, etc.). I was delighted to see the renowned director of the past, P. Chandrakumar, appearing in a brief but notable role in the initial parts of the film. “Thudarum” offers many genuine moments of laughter through certain hilarious situations and one-liners, which are actually dialogues from previous Mohanlal films, as well as references to other stars and the “flash-in-the-pan” type of social media individuals. Soon, the film shifts to a different tempo when a youngster who works at Kuttichan’s (Maniyanpilla Raju) workshop goes missing. The entry of Binu Pappu (SI, Benny) and Prakash Varma (character name as CI, George) as police officers further complicates matters. The cops impound the vehicle in connection with the missing person case while Shanmugham is away. The rest of the story revolves around Shanmugham’s efforts to reclaim the car, which unwittingly sets off a chain of events that impacts his family. From that moment onward, the film becomes thrilling and offers numerous moments to cheer, chuckle, and cry. I do not wish to reveal the twists and turns in the second half, as they are something to be watched and enjoyed on screen.
The biggest positive of the film is the script by K.R. Sunil (co-written by Tharun Moorthy), which perfectly ties all the ends together. The narrative has many layers, and both writers have incorporated the topography well into it. Even the animals and inanimate objects have roles to play in the film alongside well-etched characters, foreshadowing sequences, and interesting dialogues. The making of the title cards also needs to be appreciated, as they feature the younger-looking stars and their past. Jakes Bejoy also deserves huge applause for his excellent score, which complements the mood of the film. The song “Kanmani poove, kannadi poove…” was quite refreshing to listen to and experience in the theatre ambiance, with Mohanlal and Shobhana in terrific form. Nishadh Yusuf, who is unfortunately no longer with us, and Shafeeque V.B. as editors have done a brilliant job with slick cuts. The art department has also done its work to perfection. Special mention should go to the ace cinematographer Shaji Kumar, whose visuals have expanded the scale of the film. The forest and rain sequences stand out, though one must not forget the way he captured the action scenes. The visual of Shanmugham against the backdrop of his black car on a rainy night underlines Shaji’s brilliance.
Regarding the acting department, Shobhana, as Lalita, is quite elegant and fierce, and I could see her chemistry with Mohanlal still bringing happiness to the audience. Maniyanpilla Raju, Irshad Ali, Thomas Mathew, Abin Bino, Shobi Thilakan, Aarsha Baiju, and others have executed their portions to perfection. Binu Pappu is a revelation in this film, and Farhaan Faasil has also done justice to his role. The most striking aspect of the film is the casting of Prakash Varma, who deserves a big ‘thumbs up’ for embodying the character of George.
Coming to Mohanlal, what more can I say about him? As Shanmugham, Mohanlal was mesmerizing. I felt great seeing him again as a ‘grounded individual’ because it has been a long time since we have seen his character given such an emotional arc. Mohanlal, as a common man without guns and blazers (but with coconut-shell, jackfruit, sack of rice, etc.), is a treat for every Keralite. Shanmugham begins as a non-confrontational man with self-deprecating humor and funny statements, and later goes through several emotions like shock, sorrow, anger, and ultimately, defiance. The transformation is excellent, and all credit should go to Tharun for allowing him to ‘perform’ and once again prove his prowess in action. Watch him closely in the opening scenes and song sequences where he is jovial, in moments with the character played by Bharathiraja, during short dance segments, in the enactment of the “Mammootty-style” dance step, and of course, in the electrifying action scenes in the second half. Mohanlal unleashing himself towards the end is an absolute fan moment, and I believe there are many such occasions in the film to cheer.
Though the film is excellent to watch, a few glitches are also part of it. Certain scenes brought back memories of several other films like “Drishyam,” “Oppam,” “Pulimurugan,” “The Shining,” etc. (sometimes created deliberately), but this is something that can be overlooked. I felt the second half was a bit stretched, though it gathers momentum soon. Overall, the film is a must-watch as it reminds the audience of a vital issue too that exists in the society. Thanks to Tharun Moorthy and ‘Rejaputhra’ Renjith for making an excellent, gripping family drama that never loses its emotional compass. As the end card suggests, “Mohanlal thudarum...” (Mohanlal will continue...) is a perfect sign-off for a well-crafted film. Watch “Thudarum” for the excellent storytelling, witty self-trolls, enthralling moments, touching climax, amazing epilogue, and of course, for Mohanlal’s superlative performance.
Ranjith Krishnan
