| Thudarum | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tharun Moorthy |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | K. R. Sunil |
| Produced by | M. Renjith |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Shaji Kumar |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Jakes Bejoy |
| Production company | Rejaputhra Visual Media |
| Distributed by |
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| Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thudarum (transl. To be continued) is an upcoming Malayalam-language drama film directed by Tharun Moorthy, who wrote the screenplay with K. R. Sunil. It stars Mohanlal and Shobana, alongside Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, Nandu, Irshad Ali, and Aarsha Chandini Baiju in supporting roles. The film was produced by M. Renjith through Rejaputhra Visual Media. Jakes Bejoy composed the original songs and background score.
Principal photography took place between April and November 2024, lasting 99 days. Thudarum is scheduled to be released in theatres on 30 January 2025.
Cast
- Mohanlal as Shanmugham, a taxi driver
- Shobana as Shanmugham's wife
- Farhaan Faasil
- Maniyanpilla Raju
- Binu Pappu
- Nandu
- Irshad Ali
- Aarsha Chandini Baiju
- Thomas Mathew
- Krishna Prabha
- Prakash Varma
Production
Development
The film was officially announced by Mohanlal in mid-March 2024, with Tharun Moorthy set to direct. Moorthy co-wrote the screenplay with K. R. Sunil, while M. Renjith of Rejaputhra Visual Media took on production responsibilities. Filming was planned to begin in April. In an interview, Moorthy revealed that following the success of his previous film, Saudi Vellakka (2022), Renjith expressed interest in collaborating on a new project. Moorthy and Sunil spent eight months developing the screenplay, which was eventually greenlit. The project had the working title L360, marking Mohanlal's 360th film. Although the team had already finalized a title by the time the screenplay was completed, they opted to use a temporary title during production.
Thudarum originated from a story conceptualized by Sunil, a documentary photographer who frequently travels in search of subjects for his works. Sunil explained that the inspiration for the story stemmed from an encounter during one of these journeys, involving a person and a particular scene. Renjith and Sunil approached Moorthy to direct the project, considering him a suitable candidate to handle its nuanced characters and emotional depth. Mohanlal had already been attached to the film prior to Moorthy's involvement, having expressed his interest in the story "a long time ago". There was speculation connecting Thudarum to Mohanlal's Benz Vasu, an unrealized project written by Sunil, with G. Prajith previously set to direct. However, Moorthy dispelled these rumors, clarifying that Thudarum was a completely different project developed from scratch based on a character and an event concept presented by the production team. The screenplay was completed after five drafts.
Casting
Mohanlal plays the character Shanmugham, a taxi driver. Sunil noted that while the character was initially conceived independently of any specific actor, he eventually envisioned Mohanlal in the role as the story progressed. He remarked that Shanmugham embodies the essence of vintage Mohanlal, reminiscent of his characters in the films of Sathyan Anthikkad and Kamal. Moorthy described Mohanlal's character as down-to-earth. Shobana is paired opposite Mohanlal in the female lead role, marking their collaboration after a 15-year gap, having previously worked together in numerous films.
Filming
Principal photography began on 22 April 2024, with Mohanlal and Shobhana joining on the same day. The film's primary locations were Thodupuzha and Ranni. The initial phase of filming took place in Kaloor East, Thodupuzha. After 70 days of shooting, the production paused for a scheduled break on 5 July. Filming was set to resume once Mohanlal completed his commitments on L2: Empuraan, with approximately 20–25 days of work for Thudarum still pending. Reports suggested that a brief second schedule would commence in the first week of August, lasting 10 days. This phase concluded by the end of the month.
Some scenes were modified during the filming process. The final schedule started in October in Chennai. Renjith mentioned that crucial scenes were being filmed in Chennai over three days, followed by a week-long shoot in Walayar, and then in the Cumbum and Theni regions, with plans to conclude in Thodupuzha. Moorthy added that this phase also includes filming in Ranni and Vagamon. Mohanlal joined the team in Chennai and was later spotted filming in Theni. The production wrapped up in Thodupuzha on 1 November 2024, after a total of 99 shooting days. The film's title was announced later that month.
Post-production
Mohanlal finished his dubbing in November 2024. After the death of editor Nishadh Yusuf, Shafeeque V. B. took over his role. Both of them received editing credits.
Release
Thudarum is scheduled to be released in theatres on 30 January 2025.
References
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