Thanal (2025)

Detailed Review

Atharvaa, newly appointed as a police constable, joins five other fresh recruits on their first night patrol under the supervision of a sub-inspector. During their rounds, they spot a man emerging from a drainage canal. When they chase him, he runs into a slum area.

There, Ashwin Kakkamanu appears and begins hunting down each policeman. Terrified, the officers try to escape, but find themselves trapped within the slum. Did they manage to survive? Who exactly is Ashwin Kakkamanu, and why is he targeting the police? Director Ravindra Madhava delivers these questions through an action-thriller narrative.

Atharvaa delivers his usual performance but shines particularly in the action sequences. Lavanya Tripathi looks elegant and performs decently. Ashwin Kakkamanu impresses as the villain—so much so that in certain scenes, one might even wonder if he is the hero instead. Supporting actors like Sara, Azhagam Perumal, Bose Venkat, and Lakshmi Priyaa handle their roles well. Justin Prabhakaran`s background score is average, while cinematographer Shakti Saravanan deserves praise, especially for capturing the night sequences with finesse.

The first half of the film is gripping and engaging, with a solid interval point. However, the second half falters, mainly due to Ashwin Kakkamanu`s illogical flashback, which dilutes the tension. With better writing in the latter half, the film could have maintained its strong momentum.

Fans of action and thriller genres may still find it appealing.

Overall: Thanal – Burns, but falters in the flame.