Thandakaaranyam (2025)

Thandakaaranyam (2025)

Movie	:	Thandakaaranyam
Director	:	Athiyan Athiraiu
Starring	:	Kalaiyarasan, Dinesh, Vinsu Sam, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Bala Saravanan
Genres	:	Action and Drama
Editing	:	Selva RK
Rating	:	9.1/10
Release Date	:	19 September 2025

Synopsis 

Thandakaaranyam is the story of Murugan, a tribal man who loses his ranger job. In search of respect and a better future, he joins a fake anti-Naxal camp. After a few months, he realizes that he is in the wrong place and begins planning his escape. Will he succeed in his mission or not?

Plus Points (+)

After the mixed responses from Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2019), Director Athiyan Athiraiu once again comes back with Thandakaaranyam (2025), when he casts Kalaiyarasan, Dinesh, Vinsu Sam, Shabeer Kallarakkal, and Bala Saravanan.

The first half is a mixture of drama and some emotional moments like With tears in his eyes, Murugan's father said a painful goodbye to his farmland, which he sold to pay for Murugan’s training camp, and more emotional scenes, while the second half shows how to stand with himself when nobody else does.

Thandakaaranyam is this type of movie that takes time to fully understand. If you are coming to watch action, drama, and romance, I think Thandakaaranyam is not for you, because first, it is slow-paced, and second, it requires patience. And the thing I appreciate about director Athiyan Athirai is that this movie is unpredictable, so suspense is maintained till the end of the movie.

After a positive response from Trending (2025), Kalaiyarasan once again appears in Thandakaaranyam, where he plays the role of Murugan. In the first half, his performance as a cadet is next level, like strict drills, punishments, and physical training. If you are a fan of Kalaiyarasan, this movie is best for you, because in this movie, if you are soft-hearted, you will be crying.

The music department did well in terms of background music and Adiye Alangaari and Kaava Kaade.

Minus Points (-)

The first half is more interesting and engaging compared to the second half, while on the other side, Riythvika is a more talented actress if the makers give her more opportunity to explore herself better in the film.