In less than six months since the start of 2025, Mohanlal has already released two huge hits in L2: Empuraan and Thudarum. Barroz-3D, which the 65-year-old actor also directed for the first time, was released during Christmas of last year, but it wasn't successful. The actor's approach is unpredictable and involves risk-taking, resulting in a range of outcomes. What Mohanlal contributes as an actor is undeniable. With his most recent film, Thudarum, Mohanlal once again demonstrates that his mere presence alone is enough to transform even a simple revenge story into something amazing.

Drishyam vs. Thudarum

The comparison of that Thudarum to Drishyam, another film starring Mohanlal, is not unexpected. The plot of both films is somewhat comparable, with an early conflict leading to a suspenseful conclusion. In both films, Mohanlal plays a character that seems average on the outside but eventually shows amazing tenacity and intellect.

Shanmugham, also known as Benz, is a kind taxi driver that Tharoon Murthy gives to Mohanlal in Thudarum. He is completely consumed with his black Ambassador Mark 1 and leads a quiet and humble existence with his wife and two children. The movie slowly depicts his everyday life in the first half, building the initial drama, which is when the police take his car.

Then the needle falls. The abrupt, strong change in tone is solely dependent upon Mohanlal's shoulders. Only Benz is able to receive this truth, and he passes it straight to the audience. We share his horror. In these moments, Benz is overcome with an overwhelming feeling of rage and hopelessness, while Mohanlal is completely enthralling as the truth gradually dawns. What is he able to do at this moment? How can he ever tell his family the truth? What is the next step? In these instances, Mohanlal delivers a full-body performance while showing no vanity at all. This is an actor who has perfected the role of the average man, someone who wants to go about his day as usual until he is pulled into some unpleasant scenario. He will do anything for his family; it is the misery that has turned into wrath.

One of Mohanlal's best performances is on display.

Although Thudarum goes even farther, Drishyam had the same intuition. Benz has the option of giving up with the truth here, but he decides not to and instead carries out his scheme while taking justice into his own hands. Thudarum starts to become shaky and convincing from here on out, deceiving the audience at every turn. The story transforms from a family drama into a thriller. However, it's an excellent demonstration of Mohanlal! Even when the actor's instincts are at their worst, his portrayal of Benz's rough indifference is so believable that the audience is constantly on his side. The action sequences are well-rehearsed (there are a lot of them), and Mohanlal infuses them with a lot of realism, as this is a middle-aged man who is likely to be tired and, as a result, take a few blows as well. We still want to see him get up and battle.

The later scenes of Thudarum are occasionally a little excessive and violent. Benz's lack of heroism and continued lack of authority explain why it's so predictable. He will therefore have to deal with the repercussions. Mohanlal has transformed into a larger-than-life character by the time that moment comes around, thanks to his lived-in performance. The film's constraints are exceeded by Benz.

Mohanlal is a skilled performer who is instinctively able to grasp the emotional rhythm of a picture, even if Tharoon Murthy's film's impact might be assessed. The presence of Thudarum is enough to raise its status by the conclusion. On television right now, he is the best at expressing the common man's problems (and suppressed rage). He gives Benz an air of authenticity and terror. Even though he could be the nicest person, you may not want to mess with him after all. You're a bit terrified.

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