In a world of cinema ruled by heavy promotions, digital campaigns, and hard-selling marketing, Mohanlal’s new movie, Thudarum, has gone against all conventions. Coming out with hardly any buzz and little pre-release hype, the movie has entered the record books with an unthinkable ₹69 crore worldwide weekend gross, the second largest opening weekend ever for a Malayalam film—a feat matched only by Empuraan, which, coincidentally, features Mohanlal too.
A Low-Key Release, A High-Voltage Reception
Thudarum, directed by Tharun Moorthy, walked in silently without making much of a hullabaloo. In a time when star movies tend to come with pompous promotions, teaser manias, and social media furores, Thudarum defied convention. The crew relied solely on the content and the heft of Mohanlal’s brand. This may have looked risky but proved to be a masterstroke.
From the initial show, audience responses began flooding in—and they were overwhelmingly good. Social media lit up with a sudden burst of user reviews, word-of-mouth promotion, and fan-made videos. Theaters, which were running initially with moderate housefills, began filling up as crowds flocked to repeat screenings, resulting in houseful boards on Friday evening.
A Historic Weekend
Within three days, Thudarum accumulated:
- ₹20.3 crore gross in Kerala
- ₹7.1 crore gross in the rest of India (ROI)
- ₹42 crore overseas gross
That’s an awe-inspiring ₹69 crore global gross, something rarely accomplished even by big-buck marketed releases in the Malayalam industry.
With this, Thudarum has turned into the second-highest weekend grosser in Malayalam cinema history, with Empuraan, also starring Mohanlal and released less than a month ago, sitting at the top. This feat makes Mohanlal the sole actor to possess the top two highest weekend openers in Malayalam cinema, and that too within thirty days.
Mohanlal: The Undisputed Box Office King
If doubts were being entertained about the master of the Malayalam box office, they have been silenced by Thudarum. At 64 years old, Mohanlal still reigns supreme on the big screen like never before. While most of his younger counterparts struggle to find consistent form at the box office, Mohanlal is writing back-to-back historical achievements, reinforcing not only his position as a legendary actor but as a box office giant.
What’s more impressive is that the records are being broken without sacrificing content or cinematic values. Thudarum, as with Empuraan, is not a senseless commercial potboiler. It’s a family drama-thriller with complex storytelling, understated performances, and genuine emotions—precisely the kind of cinema Malayalam cinema lovers relish.
It is this blend of substance and stardom that makes Mohanlal stand out in an industry that is more often torn between masses and critics.
Tharun Moorthy: The Man Behind the Storm
A significant portion of Thudarum’s success also has to be attributed to its director, Tharun Moorthy. Having been known for his past content-driven successes, Tharun treated Thudarum with maturity and emotional depth. He did not fall into the trap of solely depending on Mohanlal’s star image and instead created a thrilling, character-driven story that appealed to all age groups.
Critics have praised the film’s screenplay, background score, and direction, noting how Moorthy blended commercial appeal with art-house storytelling, something very few directors achieve at scale.
By giving audiences a film that treats them as intelligent viewers and simultaneously entertains them, Tharun Moorthy has not only delivered a blockbuster but also a potential future classic.
A Resurgence of Malayalam Cinema
Thudarum’s success is also an indication of the increasing clout of Malayalam cinema on the international circuit. The Malayalam industry, which has long been reputed for its rich content, has in recent times also demonstrated its commercial prowess. With Thudarum and Empuraan breaking back-to-back records, the message is clear: Malayalam films are not only critically appreciated—they are now commercially invincible too.
Overseas markets, particularly, have reacted wonderfully to Thudarum. The overseas gross of the film ₹42 crore is a record for a Malayalam movie for a weekend, reflecting Mohanlal’s gigantic international fan following and the increasing demand for Malayalam films internationally.
Looking Ahead
With such a mind-boggling first, Thudarum is now set for a historic lifetime performance. Trade observers forecast the movie may reach ₹150 crore in its overall collection and land among the top five highest-grossing Malayalam films ever. For a movie that began with little expectation, that’s short of a miracle.
Meanwhile, Mohanlal keeps his feet on the ground, never allowing the success to go to his head. With several thrilling projects on hand, such as the long-awaited sequel to the Empuraan saga and other pan-Indian projects, the actor’s agenda appears to be busier than ever.
And as far as director Tharun Moorthy is concerned, Thudarum has taken him to the top rank of Malayalam filmmakers. Audiences and producers are now looking forward to what he will do next.
Read Also :- Ajith’s Roaring Return: ‘Good Bad Ugly’ Smashes 150 Cr in Tamil Nadu
Conclusion: A Moment to Remember for All
Thudarum is not only a movie—it’s a landmark. It stands for what may be achieved by powerful storytelling complemented by all-time great performers and supported by complete faith the public has in Mohanlal. Without flashy marketing, hired trends, and publicity gimmickry, the movie emerged strictly on merit and public faith in Mohanlal.
In an era where most movies make their way and fade away without leaving an impression, Thudarum holds its head high—a beacon of cinema at its most raw, fearless, and strongest.
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