Thammudu

I rarely walk out of a movie. But with Thammudu (2025), I didn't just walk-I fled.

From the opening frame, the film struggled to establish a coherent tone. What was marketed as an emotional action drama quickly unraveled into a mess of clichés, wafer-thin plotting, and painfully illogical writing. There was no emotional core to anchor the narrative, no character worth investing in, and absolutely no sense of momentum.

By the time the intermission rolled around, I felt like I had been duped. The so-called "emotional connect" between the protagonist and his sister was so poorly written, it felt more like a forced plot device than genuine sibling bonding. Dialogues felt artificial, scenes overstayed their welcome, and the few attempts at tension or drama were either unintentionally funny or just plain confusing.

The film tries to go big-grand visuals, loud score, dramatic pauses-but it's all style and no substance. Watching this was like sitting through a bloated prelude to a story that never started. It looks like the director made the movie using his own sanskrit quote - 'Anugachati Pravaha'

Frankly, they couldn't pay me enough to sit through the rest of it.

To start I should say that I am pretty disappointed and also disappointed that I am disappointed. Confusing? Well my title for this tells you. At first, watching trailer felt like they want to show something but ended up confused as hell. The dilemma of director can be clearly seen as he's confused whether he wanted to make a survival kind of a film or commercial film. This killed the real potential of the film. The story had a potential if the director had stopped pushing the side characters on the hero itself like these characters does nothing, just helpless which literally irritates you. This film goes way to absurd in the second half that you really question your choices over films. Honestly idk why directors want to show their heroes like they are invincible. I watched this film with very lower expectations but still capable to irritate me. I would watch meher ramesh films, why to create competitors to him. I mean he's already enough. If this film is shown with some raw and honest way, this film would've been nithin's best one. The screenplay, music every technicality failed. The only thing was the story had potential but it will be buried. If someone wants to watch films which are unintentionally funny, this is your film. No doubt in that especially villan scenes. Hopefully Nithin gets a comeback. This is my first review and my mind is not in a normal state after this abomination, so I need help. LOL.

This script is poorly written, and I honestly wonder what convinced the producer to go with such a story. It feels like a disservice to the cinema industry and is quite disappointing overall. Quality storytelling is essential for our industry to thrive, and this kind of work undermines the efforts of talented filmmakers.

Nithiin is the hero of the movie, and he shouldn't accept such a weak script. Choosing this kind of project could seriously damage his career and reputation. Talented actors like him deserve roles that showcase their skills and contribute positively to their legacy. I hope he considers more meaningful scripts in the future to maintain his standing in the industry.

Step aside, "How not to make a movie" - your magnum opus has arrived! Thammudu, starring "Nithin". Man, he is known for giving out worst films, okay, nothing surprising, we're used to it. But this? This was a full-on DISASTER! Like, you need a bottle of hand sanitizer after enduring this plot-hole-riddled, dumpster of a film. The list is endless and only If you are brain dead you will get entertained by this so called "actor" and this film.

Sriram Venu , a "one-hit-wonder" director, i swear to God he probably binging 'deep', 'meaningful' indie films, maybe top 100 IMDB, feeling all profound and artistic, right? Then, immediately after, he binged some loud, explosion-filled Hollywood blockbuster - probably trying to force out some 'inspiration' and then, the genius thought, "Aha! I'll make an indie film. Which respects cinema, audience intelligence, and that's also a blockbuster! I'm the next big shot auteur. WHAT A FAILURE.

I checked in only for actress Sapthami Gowda, man, poor girl. She's got talent, she is, but never in my life did I think she'd get stuck in such an unwatchable, cringe-inducing mess. Her acting a "flush-it-down-the-drain" disaster!

Seriously, this film is pure gutter water. The only reason it gets one star is for Ajaneesh Loknath. That guy's background score was the ONLY thing that made this sound even remotely average.

And to the director's loyal few who claim "visual grammar," "villain arc," and "art design" save the day: Wake up! Even a short filmmaker with a high-end smartphone can achieve quality visuals now. That's not enough to redeem this trash.

DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. Seriously, save your hard-earned money and your precious sanity. Go watch 'Paranthu Po', or better yet, rewatch F1 on an IMAX screen.

Thammudu Movie Review: A stylised action saga weighed down by overblown melodrama.

Story: A massive factory explosion in Vizag leaves several families devastated. IAS officer Jhansi Kiranmayee (Laya Gorty), who is leading the investigation, resists pressure from powerful industrialist Azarwal (Saurabh Sachdeva) to alter the official report. While Jhansi travels to Ambara Gundem, a tribal village, to attend a family ritual, Azarwal's men track her down and launch an attack. Amidst this turmoil arrive Jay (Nithiin), a skilled archer seeking redemption from his inner conflict, and Chitra (Varsha Bollamma), his childhood friend. As Jay's relationship with Jhansi comes to light, he must navigate a treacherous night filled with danger and emotional reckoning.

Review: Thammudu, directed by Venu Sriram, begins on a compelling note, anchored in a solid premise of familial bonds, systemic injustice and personal ambition. However, as the narrative progresses, it tumbles down a rabbit hole of exaggerated drama and logic-defying twists, never quite recovering its footing.

Despite the backdrop of scenic tribal landscapes and crisp visuals, the writing fails to support the story's ambition. The screenplay struggles to weave together its emotional core - the brother-sister bond and Jay's dream of winning an archery gold medal - into a cohesive, convincing arc. What starts as a grounded emotional tale soon spirals into overstuffed spectacle, with an overzealous attempt to be unique that ultimately backfires.

Nithiin delivers a committed performance as Jay, and Varsha Bollamma and Laya (in a welcome return) lend sincerity to their roles. Saurabh Sachdeva as the antagonist with a special condition plays an interesting role, and brings intensity to the screen. Yet, much of the film's emotional potential is diluted by TV-serial-like interactions and melodramatic sequences that feel misplaced. Ironically, it is Ratna (Sapthami Gowda), a relatively underplayed character, who leaves the most lasting impression.

All the actors try their best to breathe life into their roles, but the film's insistence on doing too much, combined with poor sequencing and a lack of narrative clarity, proves costly. The adventure, though grand in scale, often feels detached from reality and far-fetched in execution.

On the technical front, the film is visually appealing, with cinematographer KV Guhan capturing the tribal locales with flair. Ajaneesh Loknath's background score is atmospheric but rarely elevates the emotional beats. The action choreography is stylised, though several sequences stretch believability, further distancing the viewer from the story's emotional core.

Thammudu had all the ingredients for a stirring emotional-action drama, but in trying too hard to be everything, it ends up being less than the sum of its parts. A film that had the potential to hit the bullseye sadly misses the mark.

Verdict: Below Average.