With 'Thudarum', Mohanlal has found his groove just like Mammootty: Dubai producer Sophia Paul and fans rejoice

Dubai-based producer Sophia Paul, known for backing films like Minnal Murali and Bangalore Days, captured what many fans and industry insiders are feeling right now after watching Mohanlal shine in Thudarum.

“I had goosebumps. I felt a surge of emotions. It was such a pleasure to finally see Mohanlal in his element again," said Sophie in an interview with Gulf News.

She praised director Tharun Moorthy for understanding how to use the star wattage of a superstar like Mohanlal — something that, in recent years, even seasoned filmmakers struggled to do.

"It felt like a moment of validation and empowerment," she added.

Sophia Paul is not alone in her sentiment. With Thudarum, Mohanlal has delivered the kind of performance that reminds us exactly why he is considered a titan of Malayalam cinema. The film is storming both the Indian and UAE box offices, earning strong collections and universal praise from fans, critics, and his colleagues. In UAE alone, the movie has clocked a whopping 207, 767 admissions in just three days of its release.

Thudarum is a slow-burn thriller that plays perfectly to Mohanlal’s enduring strengths. The scenes where he quietly unravels while coming to terms with an unimaginable tragedy are a masterclass in restrained, powerful acting. Without histrionics, he conveys profound grief — a testament to his unparalleled control and emotional intelligence as a performer.

For longtime fans, Thudarum feels like a potent reminder of the Mohanlal who once captured the pulse of Kerala’s youth in films like Nadodikattu with Shobana — that boyish, relatable figure who could turn everyday struggles into unforgettable cinema. Now, seasoned with experience and gravitas, Lalettan taps into something even deeper, proving that true screen magic never fades; it simply evolves.

It’s also worth noting how timely this resurgence feels, especially when compared to the stellar trajectory of Mammootty, his peer and contemporary.

At 73, Mammootty has been on an extraordinary run, delivering career-best performances in films like Kaathal – The Core and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam. His choices reflect an actor fully embracing his age, leaning into textured, meaningful roles that add to his already legendary legacy. Mammootty’s recent work shows a man in perfect sync with his artistic instincts — courageous, authentic, and effortless.

In contrast, Mohanlal, at 64, seemed for a time to be searching for that same sweet spot. Some recent projects, like L2: Empuraan, with their designer trench coats, leather pants, and stylised avatars, didn’t feel like a natural fit. It was as though he was being squeezed into a template that didn't quite honor the magic that made him beloved in the first place.

But Thudarum changes that narrative completely. Here, there are no gimmicks. No forced reinventions. Just a great actor and a compelling story — and the result is electric.

If the roaring success of Thudarum is anything to go by, audiences were simply waiting for Mohanlal to remind them — and himself — that his greatest strength has always been his ability to move hearts, not mountains. And move hearts he has, once again, in spectacular, unforgettable fashion.