Thudarum

Thudarum (transl. To be continued) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language crime 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, Irshad Ali, and Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Thomas Mathew, Krishna Praba, Prakash Varma, and Aravind in supporting roles. The film was produced by M. Renjith through Rejaputhra Visual Media. Jakes Bejoy composed the original soundtrack.
Principal photography took place between April and November 2024, lasting 99 days.
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 revealed that the story was inspired by an encounter during one such journey, involving a person and a sight. Renjith and Sunil approached Moorthy to direct the project, believing he was suitable to handle its "nuanced characters" and "emotional depth". Mohanlal had been attached to the film even before Moorthy’s involvement, having expressed interest in the story "a long time ago". Speculation arose linking Thudarum to Benz Vasu, an unrealized project of Mohanlal, written by Sunil with G. Prajith attached as director. Moorthy clarified that Thudarum was a 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.
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. For the portrayal of Lalitha, the female lead, Tharun Moorthy initially met with Jyothika after being highly impressed with her performance in Kaathal: The Core (2023) and narrated her the story. However, she was later replaced by Shobana, marking her reunion with Mohanlal after a 15-year gap, having previously worked together in numerous films. The cast includes Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, Nandu, Irshad Ali, and Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Thomas Mathew, Krishna Praba, Prakash Varma, and Aravind.
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.
Mohanlal finished his dubbing in November 2024. After the death of editor Nishadh Yusuf, Shafeeque V. B. took over. Both of them receive editing credits.
Thudarum was scheduled to be released in theatres on 30 January 2025, however the film's release has been postponed.