‘Thudarum’ director Tharun Moorthy's social media post amid the 'L2: Empuraan' hype had a touch of humour: “What do I do now? I am releasing my Splendor (bike) into a battleground (Empuraan),” he wrote. Thudarum is indeed a 'Splendor'—an evergreen machine that still rules Indian roads, just like 'A10'.

While many filmmakers attempt to ride entirely on Mohanlal's stardom, 'Thudarum' comes as a breath of fresh air. It gives space to the ‘Complete Actor’ to do what he does best—to act, to emote, to tell a story with his eyes.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Mohanlal’s character given such an emotional arc, and Benz aka Shanmughan (Mohanlal) stands out for exactly that. Benz is a family man, especially fond of his Mark-I Ambassador, and works as a taxi driver in the high ranges of Ranni, Pathanamthitta. One day, the police seize his taxi after finding ganja in it.

Tharun Moorthy, known for realistic films like 'Operation Java' and 'Saudi Vellakka', continues his signature storytelling style in 'Thudarum'—though he uses a bit more cinematic liberty here, perhaps to please Lal’s fans. But this never hinders the narrative, which is why Tharun’s direction deserves applause. He peppers the film, co-written by photographer-turned-scriptwriterr K R Sunil, with the right dose of humour, suspense, and apprehension, keeping it engaging till the end.

We see Mohanlal delivering mass dialogues like, “Ini njan parayum, ningal kelkum” (Now I will speak, and you will listen), even when the character is broken—like Sethumadhavan in 'Kireedam' or Sivankutty in 'Bhramaram'.

Shobana’s presence and her chemistry with Mohanlal elevate the film. Her portrayal of Lalitha, Mohanlal’s wife, is refined and mature, with a dash of the cuteness she naturally carries. It’s refreshing to hear her voice in Tamil. Binu Pappu and Prakash Varma also shine in their roles. Prakash, who is an ad filmmaker maybe a new face in Malayalam cinema, but he is a perfect match for Benz as an antagonist in the movie.

Jakes Bejoy’s music is both haunting and soothing, blending seamlessly with Shaji Kumar’s visuals and Tharun Moorthy’s direction.

Overall, 'Thudarum' is undoubtedly a vintage Mohanlal show. It is also Tharun Moorthy's fanboy service to the actor as evident in some dialogues where the superstar gets to appreciate his real-life persona in the film, which also has references to Chennai and other superstars like Mammootty and Rajinikanth.

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