Mohanlal's thriller Thudarum dominates UAE box office: Local distributor reveals whopping numbers

Dubai: Mohanlal’s latest thriller Thudarum has stormed the UAE box office, clocking an impressive 207,767 admissions within its first three days of release.

According to local distributors Phars Films, Mohanlal's appeal has grown exponentially with this riveting thriller and its remarkable opening firmly positions Thudarum ahead of other Hollywood releases of the week like The Accountant and Drop.

Globally, Thudarum has collected an impressive Dh180 million in just three days, reaffirming Mohanlal’s enduring star power. According to reports, it could become one of Malayalam cinema's highest grossing films of the year.

Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the slow-burn thriller has benefited from glowing word-of-mouth and a groundswell of nostalgia for Mohanlal’s return to a mundu-clad, emotionally raw avatar. In my review for Gulf News, I noted how Thudarum is anchored by Mohanlal’s searing performance and monstrous villains, delivering exactly what Malayalam cinema needed. What L2: Empuraan held back, Thudarum delivers — a grounded, vulnerable everyman fighting systemic brutality, with a solid script anchoring every stare, silence, and punch.

The film’s steady pacing, powerful metaphors, and chilling performances by Prakash Varma and Binu Pappu have clearly resonated with audiences. Mohanlal’s pathos-filled portrayal of Shanmugham — a man pushed to the edge — proves once again that a single, impactful performance can dominate the box office.

With 75,823 admissions recorded on Sunday alone in the UAE, Thudarum now joins the ranks of regional blockbusters like Empuraan and Jawan, surpassing films like Pathaan in Gulf admissions.

As Mohanlal himself said: "Deeply moved and truly humbled by the love for Thudarum," the film’s success is not just a strong box office statement, but a reminder that when Mohanlal is at his restrained best, few can match his brilliance.

With its steady momentum, Thudarum is poised for an extended, triumphant run both in the UAE and worldwide.