1 week Ago
Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum is a revenge drama about Benz, a common man pushed to his limits. The film captivates with realistic stakes and strong performances. Filmmaker Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum reminds us that our films once didn’t need the bombastic stakes that recent star vehicles seem obsessed with.
Small but realistic stakes were enough (even for superstars) to deliver emotionally charged movies that could sway audiences. Thudarum delivers exactly that, among other things, making it a solid entertainer driven by nothing more than a straightforward (I’m tempted to call it old-school) screenplay that remains engrossing purely because of the dynamics between characters. At its core, Thudarum is a revenge drama about a common man pushed to his limits.
Yet, this simple, time-tested story becomes a cathartic experience in the hands of Tharun Moorthy, who masterfully maintains an air of mystery throughout. It’s easy to compare Thudarum to Mohanlal’s blockbuster Drishyam, as both films revolve around men pushed to extremes for their families. George Kutty is an avid cinema lover, while Shanmugam, aka Benz (in Thudarum), is a former stuntman.
Both are content men who treasure what they have. However, the difference between the two films is fundamental. While Drishyam is a mystery thriller with a brilliant twist that strikes out of nowhere, Thudarum doesn’t rely on any killer move.
Maybe that’s why the first half, which adopts the mystery thriller format, works better than the second half, which shifts into a typical revenge drama. The set-up leaves you hoping for a surprise twist. But Benz is not George Kutty.
However, the small disappointment doesn’t take away from the cathartic experience of the climax. What keeps you hooked is the subtle way the film unravels the stakes. Benz is obsessed with his vintage black Ambassador car, which is seized by an egoistic sub-inspector, Benny (Binu Pappu).
When he’s on the verge of reclaiming his treasured possession, Benz realises he has lost something even more priceless, which upends his life. All of this works because Tharun Moorthy gives us plenty of candid moments featuring Benz, his car, and his family. While Shobana, who has done about 50 films with Mohanlal, doesn’t get much screen time, her piercing look at a crucial moment justifies her presence.
The subtle comparison between this close-knit family and a herd of elephants is another nice touch. Things remain serene as long as the herd is intact. But when the male tusker is separated from his family, all hell breaks loose.
Such nuances make a big difference, preventing Thudarum from becoming just another revenge tale. What also helps the film enormously is the lead cast’s performances. The film’s clear aim is to bring back the Mohanlal of yesteryears to the silver screen.
Tharun Moorthy achieves it effortlessly, justifying every action sequence with Benz’s backstory as a stuntman. Another impressive performance comes from Prakash Varma as CI George. His laugh is simultaneously charming and sinister, making him perfect for the role.
The success of Thudarum lies in these clever choices, giving the film a sense of realism—an aspect that makes all the difference..
