Hey there, movie lovers! If you’re a fan of heart-pounding thrillers mixed with real family feels, then you’ve probably heard the buzz around Thudarum. This 2025 Malayalam gem starring the one and only Mohanlal has taken the box office by storm, proving once again why Mollywood is the talk of the town. Released on April 25, 2025, Thudarum Box Office Collection isn’t just a film—it’s a story of grit, love, and that unbreakable spirit we all root for. And let’s talk numbers: it raked in a whopping ₹235 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Malayalam movies ever. But how did a simple tale of a taxi driver and his beloved car turn into such a massive hit? Grab a cup of chai, settle in, and let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to follow—no fancy jargon, just straight talk.
What Makes Thudarum Tick? A Quick Peek at the Story
Picture this: In the misty hills of Ranni, Kerala, lives Shanmugham (Mohanlal), a humble taxi driver who’s more attached to his old black Ambassador car than anything else. It’s not just wheels—it’s his pride, his livelihood, and a piece of his soul. But when corrupt cops seize the car over some shady dealings, Shanmughan’s world flips upside down. What starts as a quiet family drama spirals into a tense action thriller, full of twists, chases, and those “oh no!” moments that keep you glued to your seat.
Directed by the talented Tharun Moorthy (known for hits like Operation Java and Saudi Velaikka), Thudarum blends everyday emotions with edge-of-your-seat suspense. The screenplay, co-written by Tharun and K.R. Sunil, draws from real-life inspirations—like Sunil’s travels as a documentary photographer spotting quirky human stories. It’s got that classic Malayalam touch: relatable characters, stunning Kerala backdrops, and a message about standing up for what’s yours. No wonder audiences from Kochi to Kuala Lumpur couldn’t get enough. By the end, you’ll be cheering for Shanmugham like he’s family.
The Star Power: Mohanlal and Shobana Steal the Show
Let’s be real—Mohanlal is the heartbeat of Thudarum. At 65, the complete actor delivers a performance that’s raw, restrained, and riveting. He nails the shift from a simpleton dad to a man on a mission, with those subtle expressions that say more than words ever could. Critics called it one of his best in years, a “masterclass in pathos and power.” And reuniting with Shobana after 13 long years? Pure magic! As Mary, Shanmughan’s wife, she brings warmth, wit, and quiet strength—think the emotional glue holding the chaos together.
The supporting cast shines too. Prakash Varma as the chilling cop CI George Mathen is villainy done right—menacing without overdoing it. Binu Pappu adds grit as SI Benny Kurian, while Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Irshad bring comic relief and heart. Even newcomers like Aarsha Chandini Baiju fit right in. It’s this ensemble that makes Thudarum feel like a cozy family gathering gone thrillingly wrong.
Produced by M. Renjith under Rejaputhra Visual Media on a modest ₹28 crore budget, the film punched way above its weight. Jakes Bejoy’s score amps up the tension, and Shaji Kumar’s cinematography captures Kerala’s green magic like a postcard. Runtime? A breezy 166 minutes that flies by.
Critical Applause: Why Everyone’s Talking About Thudarum
When Thudarum hit screens, the reviews rolled in like applause at a live show. On IMDb, it sits pretty at 7.6/10, with fans raving about its “gripping narrative” and Mohanlal’s “boss-level swag.” Arjun Menon from Rediff gave it 3.5/5, calling it a “masterpiece for adults” with something for everyone. Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times echoed that, praising Mohanlal’s top form in Tharun’s “gripping directorial.”
The New Indian Express’s Vignesh Madhu noted the “right mix of emotions and high moments,” despite minor flaws. Even in Telugu markets, 123Telugu rated it 2.75/5, hailing Mohanlal’s heartfelt revenge drama vibe. Sure, some said the script treads familiar ground (hello, Drishyam and Pulimurugan vibes!), but the emotional anchor and Mohanlal’s charm won hearts.
Word-of-mouth was the real star—families flocked to theaters, and social media lit up with “goosebumps” from the “Muruga” scene. On Reddit, fans predicted a ₹250 crore run, celebrating it as a “palate cleanser” after bigger spectacles. By streaming on JioHotstar from May 30, 2025, and Asianet for Onam, it reached even more homes.
Thudarum Box Office Collection: Day-by-Day Breakdown
Now, the juicy part—Thudarum‘s box office sprint. This wasn’t a slow burn; it exploded right out of the gate, thanks to Mohanlal’s star pull and that killer trailer. Let’s walk through the days, keeping it simple with a table for easy scanning. All figures are in ₹ crore, sourced from reliable trackers like Sacnilk. (Note: These are estimates—box office math can vary a tad by source.)
| Day | India Net | Worldwide Gross | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Fri) | 5.10 | 17.18 | Strong Kerala open (₹5.10 Cr); overseas led with ₹11.18 Cr. Housefull shows everywhere! |
| Day 2 (Sat) | 7.50 (Cum: 12.60) | 25.00 (Cum: 42.18) | Weekend surge; family crowds boosted it. |
| Day 3 (Sun) | 8.00 (Cum: 20.60) | 10.00 (Cum: 52.18) | ₹70 Cr weekend close—2nd fastest Malayalam to ₹50 Cr! |
| Day 4 (Mon) | 3.50 (Cum: 24.10) | 6.00 (Cum: 58.18) | Steady hold; beat Alappuzha Gymkhana early. |
| Day 5 (Tue) | 3.00 (Cum: 27.10) | 5.50 (Cum: 63.68) | Word-of-mouth kicks in. |
| Day 6 (Wed) | 3.20 (Cum: 30.30) | 5.80 (Cum: 69.48) | Crossed ₹1 billion globally—2nd Malayalam blockbuster of 2025! |
| Day 7 (Thu) | 2.80 (Cum: 33.10) | 5.00 (Cum: 74.48) | First week: ₹51.4 Cr India net. |
| Day 8 (Fri) | 5.50 (Cum: 38.60) | 12.00 (Cum: 86.48) | Second weekend jump; neared ₹60 Cr India. |
| Day 9 (Sat) | 7.00 (Cum: 45.60) | 14.00 (Cum: 100.48) | ₹100 Cr worldwide in 6 days? Done! |
| Day 10 (Sun) | 8.00 (Cum: 53.60) | 15.00 (Cum: 115.48) | ₹158 Cr WW; beat Aavesham & Goat Life. |
| Day 14 | – (Cum: 67.52 India net) | 160 (Cum: 160) | Steady weekdays; eyes on ₹200 Cr. |
| Day 15 | 3.19 (Cum: 90.29) | 20.00 (Cum: 190.54) | Budget recovered 100% (₹90 Cr cost est.); close to ₹200 Cr WW. |
| Day 19 | – (Cum: 100+ India) | – (Cum: 200+) | First to ₹100 Cr in Kerala alone! |
| Day 21 | – (Cum: 105.43 India net) | – (Cum: 213) | Beat L2: Empuraan in some metrics. |
| Day 26 | 0.95 (Cum: 115.40) | – (Cum: 228.92) | Entered ₹200 Cr WW club—only 3rd Malayalam film ever! |
| Day 30 | 0.07 (Cum: 118.65) | – (Cum: 233) | Competition rising, but solid hold. |
| Day 32 | – (Cum: 120+) | – (Cum: 234) | Nearing end; Kerala still strong. |
| Day 35 | 0.25 (Cum: 121.27 India net) | 3.89 week (Cum: 235.89) | 5th week wrap; overseas ₹93.80 Cr. |
| Day 40 | 0.05 (Cum: 121.67) | – (Cum: 237.37) | Final push; missed ₹100 Cr overseas by a whisker. |
| Lifetime | 121.20 | 234.50 | All-time blockbuster; ROI 700%+ on ₹28 Cr budget. |
From that explosive ₹17.18 Cr opening day (Kerala: ₹5.10 Cr, ROI: ₹0.90 Cr, Overseas: ₹11.18 Cr) to steady weekdays holding above ₹3 Cr, Thudarum showed real legs. By day 10, it hit ₹67.52 Cr India net, eyeing ₹160 Cr WW. The second weekend? A monster ₹42 Cr jump! Even in week 5, it added ₹3.89 Cr amid new releases.
Regional Breakdown: Kerala’s Pride, Overseas Magic
Kerala was Thudarum‘s heart—₹118 Cr gross from the state alone, the first film to hit ₹100 Cr there (day 19!). Rest of India chipped in ₹23.50 Cr, with Telugu and Tamil dubs adding flavor. But overseas? A revelation at ₹93.80 Cr gross—Gulf, US, UK theaters packed with diaspora fans. It beat Pulimurugan and Premalu to climb ranks.
Total domestic gross: ₹141.50 Cr; worldwide: ₹235 Cr. On a ₹28 Cr budget, that’s a 700%+ ROI—talk about value for money!
Where Thudarum Stands: Among Malayalam’s All-Time Greats
In 2025, Malayalam cinema ruled with L2: Empuraan (₹265 Cr), Lokah: Chapter 1 (₹207 Cr), and Thudarum (₹235 Cr) in the top spots. It overtook Aavesham (₹150 Cr) and Goat Life (₹150 Cr) by day 14 (₹87.25 Cr India). Globally, it’s No. 3 all-time, behind only Bheeshma Parvam and Lucifer in some lists.
What set it apart? No massive hype machine—just solid storytelling in a year of blockbusters. As The Hollywood Reporter India put it, Thudarum showed Malayalam’s “nuanced” magic, challenging Bollywood and Tollywood. Awards? Nods for Best Film and Popular Film at state honors.
The Lasting Buzz: Why Thudarum’s Success Matters
Months after theaters emptied, Thudarum lives on—streaming hits, fan edits, and debates on “best Mohanlal film since Drishyam.” It boosted Mollywood’s global rep, proving small-budget stories (wait, ₹28 Cr feels small now?) can dream big. For families, it’s a reminder: hold onto what matters, fight smart, and laugh through the storm.
