Mohanlal’s new movie “Thudarum” has definitely made a spectacular entrance into theaters. This revenge thriller marks the legendary actor’s 360th film. The April 25, 2025 release reunites Mohanlal and Shobana on screen after 15 years, which has thrilled their fans. The 166-minute film takes viewers on an emotional trip that critics praise extensively.
Movie enthusiasts have watched Mohanlal’s work with great interest, and this Malayalam film stands apart from his earlier works. The movie takes a closer look at themes of justice, family, and resilience, unlike his 2023 releases. The team spent 99 days filming “Thudarum” between April and November 2024, which shows their dedication to the project. The critics have responded with glowing reviews. Anandu Suresh from The Indian Express gave it 4/5 stars and called it “one of the finest Indian revenge thrillers.” Jakes Bejoy’s powerful background score has earned special recognition from critics.
Thudarum Breaks Opening Day Records Across Kerala
Image Source: onlookersmedia
Thudarum has blown past expectations and set new records in Kerala theaters on its opening day. Industry reports show this Mohanlal starrer has become the second biggest Malayalam opener of 2025, proving its commercial success right after release.
How Much Did Thudarum Earn on Day One?
The crime thriller pulled in Rs 5.25 crore net collection on its first day in India. The Malayalam version brought in Rs 5.24 crore, while the Telugu version added Rs 1 lakh. These numbers make Thudarum the second-highest opening Malayalam film of 2025, just behind L2: Empuraan which earned Rs 18.6 crore on day one.
The movie substantially outperformed other recent releases in the industry. It beat Mammootty’s Bazooka (Rs 3.2 crore), crowd-favorite Alappuzha Gymkhana (Rs 2.65 crore), and the year’s first hit, Rekhachithram (Rs 1.9 crore). The worldwide collection reached Rs 11.10 crore on day one, showing the film’s global appeal.
The movie achieved this success despite multiple release delays, which proves Mohanlal’s strong box office draw.
Which Regions Contributed the Most to the Collection?
Malayalam theaters saw a strong 62.27% occupancy rate on opening day. Evening and night shows drove the collections higher, with occupancy jumping to 68.25% and 84% respectively.
Kottayam led the pack with an exceptional 94.50% occupancy rate. Other key performing regions included:
- Kochi: 79.50% overall occupancy, night shows packed at 99%
- Kollam: 79% occupancy with evening shows reaching 94%
- Thrissur: 74.50% occupancy, hitting 96% during night shows
- Kozhikode: 69% overall occupancy
The state-wise breakdown shows Kerala’s massive contribution of Rs 5.1 crore to the gross collection. Karnataka added Rs 0.5 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 0.25 crore, and APTG regions Rs 0.1 crore.
Pre-release bookings hit Rs 2.35 crore, showing strong audience excitement. Positive reviews have boosted its prospects, with weekend advance bookings looking strong at Rs 1.50 crore for Saturday and Rs 1 crore for Sunday.
Mohanlal’s Star Power Drives Massive Turnout
Image Source: Times of India
Mohanlal’s legendary status in Malayalam cinema has proven its worth again with “Thudarum.” Theater owners in Kerala reported packed houses, and many venues added extra shows to meet the audience rush.
How Mohanlal’s Legacy Boosted Thudarum’s Opening
“Thudarum,” Mohanlal’s 360th film, got a huge boost from his loyal fanbase. “We haven’t seen this kind of buzz since Drishyam 2,” said a theater manager in Ernakulam. Movie theaters saw people of all types – families, die-hard fans, and seniors – creating an electric atmosphere during screenings.
“Thudarum” hit these impressive numbers with minimal promotion. The film raked in Rs 2 crore from advance bookings in Kerala alone, beating Mammootty’s “Bazooka” which had pre-sales around Rs 1 crore. This shows how star power can beat marketing hype.
Mohanlal and Shobana’s reunion after almost two decades became another big draw. The duo last appeared together in “Mambazhakaalam” (2004) and have shared screen space in over 55 films across four decades. Fans who grew up watching their chemistry now bring their kids to theaters, creating appeal across generations.
Comparing Thudarum to Other Recent Mohanlal Movies
The movie’s Rs 5.5 crore opening day collection marks Mohanlal’s impressive comeback. This makes it his fourth biggest opening in the post-COVID era, easily beating “Aaraattu” which opened at Rs 3.62 crore.
2025 looks like Mohanlal’s comeback year. After a quiet 2024 where his directorial debut “Barroz” struggled with critics and box office, this movie signals his return to form. Critics and fans celebrate “Thudarum” as his grand comeback, praising his timeless charm and powerful screen presence.
This success follows “L2: Empuraan’s” record-breaking run, which collected over Rs 270 crore worldwide. Mohanlal’s movies continue to rule the Malayalam film industry.
Marketing and Release Strategy Amplify Success
Image Source: Outlook India
“Thudarum” broke away from typical big-budget film promotion strategies. The quiet approach to marketing proved effective and built anticipation for this mohanlal new movie.
How Early Promotions Created Buzz
The makers of “Thudarum” used subtle yet innovative promotional techniques instead of flashy campaigns. The film team created Instagram accounts for the lead characters Shanmukhan and Lalitha Shanmukhan to let fans interact directly. This strategy generated interest while the film retained its grounded appeal.
The film’s pre-sales in Kerala crossed the Rs 1 crore mark in just a few hours, despite minimal promotion. Advance bookings reached Rs 2.33 crore from 1,186 shows throughout the state by release day. This made it the second-biggest pre-release booking for a Malayalam film in 2025.
The 2-minute trailer release was low-key but struck a chord with viewers. An industry observer noted that it “hinted at an emotional family drama with a tense, intriguing undercurrent”. The audience connected with this approach immediately.
Role of Nostalgia and Family Appeal in Audience Pull
This malayalam mohanlal new movie brought Mohanlal and Shobana together after 15 years, which created a strong nostalgic appeal. The pair’s on-screen chemistry spans over 55 films across four decades, reminding viewers of classic hits like:
- Nadodikattu (1987)
- Manichitrathazhu (1993)
- Thenmavin Kombath (1994)
The mohanlal movie tapped into ’90s nostalgia with minimal marketing. Posters “exuding old-world charm” reminded audiences of the era when the duo delivered their most memorable performances. Parents who grew up watching their chemistry brought their children to theaters.
The film also included self-deprecating humor with references to lines from Mohanlal’s previous underperforming works. This created a special bond with longtime fans of mohanlal movies 2023.
Can Thudarum Sustain Its Box Office Momentum?
Image Source: The New Indian Express
Thudarum has left its record-breaking opening day behind, and now faces a significant question about maintaining this impressive momentum. Early indicators show this mohanlal new movie ready for sustained box office success.
What Are the Projections for the First Weekend?
Thudarum’s stellar Rs 5.25 crore opening day has created substantial weekend buzz. Pre-sales have reached Rs 1.50 crore for Saturday and Rs 1 crore for Sunday, which shows strong continued interest. Industry analysts believe the film could bring in Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore during its opening weekend.
Positive word-of-mouth continues to propel this momentum. The film stands firm as 2025’s second-biggest Malayalam opener, just behind L2: Empuraan. This Malayalam mohanlal new movie shows remarkable staying power even with minimal promotional efforts.
The film’s occupancy trends look promising, with steadily increasing attendance throughout its first day. Numbers jumped from morning (49%) and afternoon (48%) to evening (68%), with night shows hitting an impressive 84%. These patterns reveal growing audience interest beyond just initial fan turnout.
How Competition from Other Releases Could Affect Collections
Despite its strong start, Thudarum competes with other recent releases, especially Alappuzha Gymkhana. Both films have gained traction in the Telugu market through simultaneous debuts.
The Telugu version of Thudarum started slower with 36% Day 1 occupancy from night shows, but shows potential for weekend growth. A multilingual release strategy might boost overall collections if positive reviews drive increased attendance in non-Malayalam markets.
Telugu audiences have become “more receptive to stories from other states, particularly when they’re rich in emotion and substance”. This expanding market acceptance looks promising for this mohanlal movie, which critics praise for its emotional depth and compelling narrative.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts on Thudarum’s Box Office Experience
“Thudarum” has become one of the most important milestones in Mohanlal’s illustrious career. The film’s opening day collection of Rs 5.25 crore proves the actor’s enduring star power and audience appeal. This revenge thriller has secured its position as 2025’s second-biggest Malayalam opener despite fierce competition, showing how well-crafted storytelling still draws crowds.
The success story gets even more interesting. Mohanlal and Shobana’s reunion after 15 years struck a chord with viewers of all ages. On top of that, the film’s exceptional performance in Kottayam (94.50% occupancy) and Kochi (79.50% occupancy) shows how deeply Kerala audiences connected with it. The growing buzz from non-Malayalam markets hints at strong momentum in the weeks ahead.
Mohanlal’s 360th film broke new ground with its marketing approach. “Thudarum” created substantial pre-release excitement through character-focused social media accounts and nostalgia-driven imagery, despite minimal promotional efforts. This strategy worked brilliantly as pre-sales exceeded Rs 2.33 crore before release day.
The weekend outlook remains bright. Strong word-of-mouth and rising occupancy rates throughout opening day suggest this Malayalam Mohanlal movie will reach its projected Rs 8-10 crore weekend collection. “Thudarum” proves that quality filmmaking paired with star power remains the winning formula for box office success in Indian cinema. The movie’s experience has just begun, but everything points to a memorable theatrical run that could set new standards for Malayalam cinema in 2025.
FAQs
Q1. What was the opening day box office collection for Mohanlal’s “Thudarum”? “Thudarum” collected an impressive Rs 5.25 crore net on its first day in India, with the Malayalam version contributing Rs 5.24 crore and the Telugu version adding Rs 1 lakh to the total.
Q2. How does “Thudarum” compare to other recent Malayalam film openings? “Thudarum” has emerged as the second-biggest Malayalam opener of 2025, surpassing recent releases like Mammootty’s “Bazooka” (Rs 3.2 crore) and “Alappuzha Gymkhana” (Rs 2.65 crore), but behind “L2: Empuraan” which collected Rs 18.6 crore on its opening day.
Q3. What factors contributed to the success of “Thudarum” at the box office? The film’s success can be attributed to Mohanlal’s star power, the reunion of Mohanlal and Shobana after 15 years, positive word-of-mouth, and a clever marketing strategy that capitalized on ’90s nostalgia and character-focused social media engagement.
Q4. Which regions in Kerala contributed the most to “Thudarum’s” box office collection? Kottayam emerged as the standout region with a 94.50% occupancy rate, followed by Kochi (79.50%), Kollam (79%), and Thrissur (74.50%). Kerala as a whole contributed Rs 5.1 crore to the gross collection.
Q5. What are the box office projections for “Thudarum’s” opening weekend? Industry analysts project that “Thudarum” could gross between Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore during its opening weekend, based on strong advance bookings of Rs 1.50 crore for Saturday and Rs 1 crore for Sunday, as well as positive word-of-mouth.
