Thudarum Review

Hello people! It’s been a while since I wrote something but here we are. 

"Thudarum" is a film directed by Tharun Moorthy Casting Mohanlal, Shobana, Prakash varma and others. From the posters and initial impressions the film seemed like a family drama, but it quickly turned into something much more. What I ended up watching was a well crafted thriller that keeps you guessing similar to the way "Drishyam" does. The film cleverly deceives the audience with its seemingly simple premise, pulling you into a suspense that is throughout.

The casting is spot on with Mohanlal playing the protagonist. His performance is restrained but impactful. Then there is Prakash Varma, the antagonist who manages to stay in your head for a long time. His portrayal is exactly what the movie needed irritating, sinister and effective in creating tension against the strength of Mohanlal's character.

The suspense element in "Thudarum" is another strong point. Throughout the film, I found myself constantly asking "What?" "Who?" and "Why?"questions. The movie keeps you on your toes by never giving too much away too soon and that is what makes it so engaging.

The music in "Thudarum" also plays a key role in enhancing the mood. The background score is subtle yet effective that builds tension without overshadowing the story. The songs fit perfectly within the narrative that adds emotional depth where needed and complementing the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.

There is also a nice touch of satire in between which gives you small moments of relief in an otherwise tense narrative. Those moments do not feel out of place instead they make the film breathe a little by offering space between the intensity.

Spoilers ahead:

Now coming to the flaws. There are a few. One particular scene where the body is taken out of the trunk feels clumsy. Earlier shots show the trunk opened to sit and chill and suddenly the body appears later which feels like a continuity error. Possibly a cut paste issue in post production. And then there is the motive, while honor killings do exist, the way it is presented here feels weak. There is also a confusing bit where a guy ends up in the police station without explanation and another character goes missing with no follow up.

The second half leans a little too much into commercial territory. The tension and pace gets slow as it tries to mix in familiar mass elements. The director also seems unsure of how to close the story, which leads to an ending that relies on a commercial fight scene instead of a more fitting conclusion. Still with all that said "Thudarum" is a well made thriller with good performances. Definitely worth a watch.

Rating: 7/10 ⭐️

A World Without Lines

He never knew what colors looked like. They told him the sky was blue and the grass was green but those were just words to him. He imagined the world through sound and touch and in that world people were just voices. They were never black or white, tall or short, rich or poor. They were just people. 

He had never looked at someone and judged them before they spoke. He had never seen a face and assumed what kind of person they were. He only knew kindness by the way someone spoke and cruelty by the way someone stayed silent or when someone yelled. 

To him laughter had no shape and love had no face. He recognized people by the sincerity in their speech and the hesitation in their pauses. He understood honesty through steady voices and deceit through forced smiles. His world was not divided by appearances or controlled by assumptions. His world was just sound and movement and emotion.

Sometimes people felt sorry for him because he could not see but he wondered if they were the ones missing out. They saw too much and heard too little. They judged before they understood and divided before they connected. They fought over shades of skin and shapes of bodies while he only cared about the way someone made him feel.  

He would never see a sunrise or a rainbow or a field of flowers but he would also never see hatred in someone’s eyes or disgust in their expression. He would never see the lines that people drew between themselves and others. His world was not broken by difference or ruined by prejudice. His world was free.  

Maybe blindness was not the absence of sight but the absence of bias. Maybe the ones who could see were the ones who failed to look deeper.

How Much Explaining Is Too Much?

There is a certain exhaustion that comes with explaining yourself. At first it feels necessary because you do not want to be misunderstood. But after a while you start noticing that people are not interested in hearing it anymore. They say you explain too much and they ask you to stop. They get tired before you even finish. And that leaves you wondering if you should even explain.  

The need to explain does not come out of nowhere. Maybe it is because silence has worked against you before. Maybe people have misjudged you one too many times. Or maybe it is just how your mind works, You just want things to be clear. Or you want others to see what you see. But clarity is not always welcome. Some people do not want explanations. Some do not care enough to listen. And even those who do, will not have the patience forever.  

This dilemma can be understood through "Relevance theory", by scientists Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson within the field of pragmatics. Their theory argues that human communication is guided by the expectation of relevance, and so listeners naturally interpret information based on how useful and necessary it is to them. Over explaining happens when the speaker provides more detail than the listener finds relevant, leading to frustration. When people ask you to stop explaining, it is not always about the length of your words but their perceived usefulness. At some point, the effort to clarify becomes exhausting, not because the explanation is wrong, but because the listener has already decided how much they care to understand.

That is when you have to decide if it is worth it. Some things need to be said but not everything does. Some misunderstandings clear up with time. Others never will, no matter how much you try. And if people have already made up their minds about you no explanation will change that.  

So maybe the question is not whether you should explain, but who actually deserves an explanation. Because sometimes silence is not just an absence of words but a decision in itself.

Officer on Duty Review

Jithu Ashraf makes his directorial debut with "Officer on Duty", a crime thriller that brings Kunchacko Boban back as a cop. With a screenplay by Shahi Kabir known for films like "Joseph" and "Nayattu", expectations were naturally high. The cast includes Dileesh Pothan, Kishore and a strong lineup.

The film starts on a gripping note. Officer Hari, played by Kunchacko Boban returns to duty after a long break. What seems like a routine case quickly escalates into something bigger, leading him into a world of drug trafficking, crime networks and hidden threats. The first half builds tension effectively that keeps the audience invested in the investigation. But as the story moves forward it slowly shifts into a more commercial revenge narrative. While it does not lose pace it does lose the freshness that the beginning promised.  

Visually the film sticks to realistic tone. The cinematography captures the darker side of the crime world without making it look overly stylized. Jakes Bejoy’s background score works well in enhancing the mood, never overpowering the scenes. The action sequences also stays away from exaggerated heroism.  

Kunchacko Boban delivers a restrained performance. He plays Hari with quiet intensity, making him feel grounded rather than being dramatic. Dileesh Pothan and Kishore provide solid support, but their characters do not get enough depth to stand out. The screenplay keeps things tight in the first half but starts following a predictable path in the latter portions.  

Despite its shift towards a more familiar commercial approach, "Officer on Duty" remains engaging. The first half raises expectations and while the second half does not fully live up to them, but it still is a watchable thriller.

Rating: 7.5/10⭐️

Dragon Review

"Dragon" directed by Ashwanth Marimuthu and starring Pradeep Ranganathan alongside Kayadu Lohar, Anupama, Mysskin, Geroge Maryan etc. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music plays a key role in setting the tone. Visually, the cinematography, costumes, and locations look refined, but the film has its own set of flaws. Lip sync issues are hard to ignore, making it seem like dialogues were altered after shooting or the dubbing did not match up properly. The screenplay is engaging in parts but falls flat at times.  

The film carries a solid message that lies can only take us so far, but real peace comes with honesty. This idea is seen throughout the story, which is one of the stronger aspects of the writing. However the plot itself follows a typical commercial template. It has all the usual elements like larger than life moments, familiar characters portrayed in an exaggerated manner, and trending pop culture references sprinkled in to make it feel relevant.  

The performances are mostly decent, but the protagonist overacts as expected. A few other characters also go overboard, making certain scenes feel unnatural. The film tries to create an emotional connection through middle class family struggles, college drama, and romance, but these themes have been used so many times that they feel repetitive.  

There is a clear attempt to appeal to younger audiences with viral dialogues, social media humor, and trending content. This shows the desperation to connect rather than letting the story flow naturally. The protagonist clearing 48 arrears in one go is another example of stretching reality just for dramatic effect. It sets a misleading example, making it seem like students can slack off for four years and still succeed in one shot.  

The film also falls in how it handles certain moral standpoints. The protagonist confesses to cheating his way through but claims he is not a bad person because he never ruined anyone else's life for his success. Instead of taking full accountability, the film almost justifies his actions. Keerthi’s character arc is also unfairly handled. She leaves Raghavan for valid reasons, yet the film constantly shames her and frames the protagonist as the victim, which sends the wrong message.  

Despite its flaws, the film works as a casual watch. It has entertaining moments, good visuals, and engaging music. If you go in without expecting logic or depth, it might be an enjoyable experience. Otherwise it is just another sterotypical commercial film.  

Rating: 6.5/10⭐️

Identity Review

Some films pull you in with their storytelling, while others keep you hooked with their style. "Identity" does both, blending a gripping narrative with sleek visuals and strong performances. Right from the start it creates an atmosphere that feels sharp and immersive. 

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its performances. Every actor plays their role with precision, keeping things subtle and natural. There is no unnecessary drama which makes the characters feel more real. The cinematography is another standout with rich colors, well crafted frames, and attention to detail in everything from costumes to set design.

The screenplay keeps you at the edge of your seat with constant twists. Scene after scene it pulls you deeper into the mystery, raising more questions than it answers. This sense of unpredictability makes the first half especially gripping, holding your attention with its sharp storytelling.  

But as the film moves into the second half, it starts leaning into commercial elements. At first the balance works, but after a point the mass moments begin to take away from the intensity. This film had everything it needed to be an extraordinary thriller but fell short in a few places. Still it is a solid watch.

Rating: 7/10⭐️