Thudakkam Review Rating:
Star Cast: Vismaya Mohanlal, Aashis Joe Antony, Sai Kumar, Manoj K. Jayan
Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
What’s Good: Mohanlal’s Cameo and Music
What’s Bad: Borderline melodramatic performances
Loo Break: Anytime
Watch or Not?: One-time watch
Language: Malayalam
Available On: JioHotstar
Runtime: 137 Minutes
User Rating:
A major talking point surrounding Thudakkam was the acting debut of Vismaya Mohanlal. As the daughter of Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal—an icon known for his natural presence and stellar acting—she generated immense curiosity upon entering the industry. Despite coming from elite cinematic royalty, she has generally stayed out of the public eye.
Vismaya made a strong box office entry when the movie premiered in cinemas on August 7, pushing the title into the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year. On paper, it is an impressive launchpad, casting her as a resilient young woman involved in heavy action sequences—an intense path rarely offered to female newcomers so early in their careers. While the feature centers around the vital theme of women’s safety, questions remain about whether it explores anything deeper.
Thudakkam Movie Review: Script Analysis
The narrative follows a straightforward trajectory. Meenu, a 26-year-old, lives in an Idukki residence alongside her specially-abled father. Having lost her mother to a terminal illness during her teenage years, Meenu holds onto her memory largely through music. Though not particularly academic, she possesses a deep passion for teaching and is introduced as an upbeat, cheerful individual who greets everyone she encounters.
However, an evening delay caused by a dead cell phone sets off a troubling chain of events. A panicked missing-person report is filed by her anxious father. Although Meenu makes it back safely, she is pursued and targeted by a malicious stranger. She manages to fight back, but this confrontation merely marks the beginning of her hardships.
The antagonist is played by Aashish Joe Antony, a hired assassin infamous for leaving zero traces behind. He is also a perverted stalker who records his predatory acts, presenting a deeply menacing front, though the character ultimately lacks psychological depth.
Thudakkam Movie Review: Star Performance
Posters and streaming platform pages alike label the project as Vismaya Mohanlal’s Thudakkam, emphasizing that this vehicle belongs entirely to her. In focusing heavily on its leading lady, the surrounding narrative occasionally falls by the wayside. Vismaya delivers an adequate portrayal of an optimistic young woman who undergoes trauma and ultimately pushes through it. Viewers familiar with her real-life interview persona might notice that her natural mannerisms do much of the heavy lifting rather than conventional acting, though she truly comes alive during the climactic fight choreography.
Interestingly, a brief screen appearance by a seasoned veteran like Mohanlal demonstrates how a masterclass in performance can instantly elevate an ordinary setup. Without comparing Vismaya to her immensely gifted father who boasts decades of background, Mohanlal’s strategic cameo highlights the profound impact of seasoned execution.
Aashish Joe Antony, the son of producer Antony Perumbavoor, handles the villainous role effectively. Devoid of dialogue throughout the feature, he relies solely on expressions to project terror.
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Thudakkam Movie Review: Direction, Music
Director Jude Anthany Joseph previously demonstrated his talent with works like Ohm Shanthi Oshana and later transitioned into a different genre with 2018, India’s official Oscar entry chronicling the devastating Kerala floods. With Thudakkam, Jude ventures into the action-drama space, centering on a woman who defends herself against a home intruder and subsequently battles to protect other women. This ordeal warps local perception, turning her into an outcast as townspeople unfairly brand her as loose-moraled. Despite the emotional toll, she confronts her attacker head-on.
While the core concept is noble, Thudakkam struggles to evolve past a public service announcement encouraging women to learn martial arts for self-defense. The production largely ignores subplots and neglects the development of secondary characters. For instance, the villain executes murders in broad daylight without facing legal repercussions. While described as a sophisticated criminal who dodges closed-circuit television cameras, operating unchecked in a heavily monitored modern society defies logic, pointing to weak writing and an underdeveloped subplot.
On the musical front, Jakes Bejoy delivers pleasant compositions that complement the lead character’s emotional state, including a catchy, hummable introductory theme for Vismaya. Unfortunately, the background score falls short of expectations, lacking the necessary punch during the high-intensity climax where the protagonist fiercely subdues three men, including her primary assailant.
Thudakkam Movie Review: The Last Word
From the outset, Vismaya Mohanlal’s Thudakkam follows a predictable path. Though it introduces numerous characters in hopes that deeper layers would unfold later, it ultimately maintains a conventional trajectory. Even so, it remains a suitable option for a casual family watch.
2.5 Stars!
Thudakkam Trailer
Thudakkam is currently streaming on JioHotstar.
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