Is Mohanlal's Thudarum Based On A Real Incident?
Thudarum, directed by Tharun Moorthy and led by a powerfully restrained performance from Mohanlal, is more than just a movie; it’s a reflection of loss, identity, and resistance.
Since its release, the film has struck a deep attachment with audiences across Kerala and beyond, earning an overwhelming emotional reception.
Theatres are still running packed shows, and everywhere you turn, people are talking about Mohanlal’s stunning portrayal of Shanmughan, a simple taxi driver whose life turns upside down with one unexpected event.
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But Thudarum truly stands apart because of its storytelling’s deep humanity. It doesn’t rely on high drama or thrilling action as it draws you in with its honesty, the weight of silence, and the soulful beauty of a life unravelling.
Thudarum is not a direct adaptation of a real person’s full life or a documented incident, but it is deeply inspired by a real moment, a fleeting, quiet encounter.
About twelve years ago, K R Sunil, the film’s writer and documentary photographer, witnessed a man standing alone outside the Kodungallur police station.
This man wasn’t speaking, protesting, or creating a scene. He was just there; his eyes fixed on a vehicle parked nearby. Something about that silent, intense image stayed with Sunil for years.
That unknown man eventually grew in his imagination into a character he called “Shan face”—and that character became the heart of Thudarum.
It was never meant to be a full-blown film at first. It was just a feeling, a question, a possibility. But over time, Sunil’s idea began to grow and nurture slowly, with care and personal memory, until it became the emotional story we see on screen.
Also, read| Thudarum Review: Emotionally Dense, Packed With Surprises, And Tharun Moorthy Brings Old Mohanlal Back
The script passed through many hands and hearts before it reached director Tharun Moorthy. Known for his subtle, socially grounded films (Operation Java, Saudi Vellakka), Tharun Moorthy seemed like the perfect fit.
Interestingly, Mohanlal had already shown interest in the character even before Tharun Moorthy came on board. The story had found a place in his heart, too, one that he carried for a long time until it was finally ready to be told.
In shaping Thudarum, Moorthy didn’t just direct it; he co-wrote and restructured it, bringing a cinematic rhythm to Sunil’s idea.
What came out was not a commercial star vehicle, but a mature, meditative work of art that trusted silence and raw emotion more than spectacle.
Mohanlal’s performance in Thudarum is being hailed as his finest in years, with many calling it his best since Oppam.
He plays Shanmughan—nicknamed “Benz” for his love of his old black Ambassador car with astonishing restraint.
There are no dramatic monologues or over-the-top heroism. Just a man breaking quietly, piece by piece, in a world that keeps taking from him.
And when that inner volcano erupts in the second half, it’s impossible to look away. It’s acting rooted in lived experience, not performance.
Shobana, in a short but meaningful role, adds emotional depth as Shanmughan’s wife, Lalitha. Meanwhile, Prakash Varma’s portrayal of CI George Mathan is chilling in its cold menace, and Binu Pappu’s SI Benny adds a contrasting warmth. The cast, though minimal, is perfectly chosen.
Thudarum began with a simple sight outside a police station. But like all great stories, it became something much bigger. It became the kind of film that reminds us why we go to the movies in the first place.
