Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Cast: Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Prakash Raj
Run Time: 2 hours 48 minutes
Release Date: 1 May 2025
Genre: Action, Thriller
After a string of setbacks at the box office, Suriya has teamed up with director Karthik Subbaraj for Retro, with Pooja Hegde playing the lead opposite him. Fans and critics are eagerly watching to see if this collaboration can deliver the much needed hit for Suriya. Will this new film give him the success he’s been waiting for? Let’s find out.
Story
Pari, also known as Parivel Kannan (Suriya), is initially disliked by Tilak (Joju George), but at his wife’s insistence, Tilak adopts him and raises him. Tilak, a rowdy by nature, does not accept Pari as his own son at first. However, after Pari saves Tilak during an assassination attempt, Tilak begins to see him differently and starts treating him like his son. From that moment, Pari becomes involved in his father’s criminal world and starts doing whatever is asked of him.
Over time, Pari falls in love with Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), whom he has known since childhood. After convincing everyone, they marry, and Pari plans to leave behind his life of crime to live peacefully. However, during the wedding, Tilak demands to know the whereabouts of smuggled goods from Pari’s last deal. Pari refuses to tell him, which angers his father. In a fit of rage, Tilak attempts to kill Rukmini in the marriage hall. But Pari arrives just in time to save her, and in the process, he cuts off his father’s hand.
This action causes Rukmini to leave him, and Pari is sentenced to a long prison term because of his actions. Will Pari ever be able to reunite with Rukmini? Who are Pari’s real parents? To find the answers, watch the movie on the big screen.
Performance
As usual, Surya delivered a splendid performance in the role of Pari. His portrayal of the character, especially in emotional scenes, showcased his versatility as an actor. He skillfully brought out the complexities of his character, making Pari’s transformation believable and compelling.
Pooja Hegde also did a good job as Rukmini, maintaining a strong presence without relying on her physical appearance. She impressed with her acting, delivering a performance that was both subtle and impactful. Joju George, playing Tilak, did a decent job in his role, Joju managed to bring a certain rawness and intensity to the role, making it convincing. The remaining actors, including Vidhu Vinod, Nazar, and others, did their job decently, fitting well into their respective roles. Overall, the performances of the cast contributed well to the film.
Analysis
The movie begins on an interesting note, set in the 1960s. Karthik Subbaraj makes a decent attempt to recreate the essence of that era with visuals and production design, and it’s visually satisfying to witness that period on screen. However, that initial spark quickly fades. Once the story shifts to the 1990s, where Pari decides to leave his criminal past and settle down, things start to fall apart. Except for the marriage hall scene, absolutely nothing works in the first half. There’s no grip, no emotional connection, and by the time it reaches the interval, the film feels completely flat and boring.
The second half is even worse it severely tests the audience’s patience. The narrative becomes painfully slow and boring, with zero engaging moments. Even though Surya and Pooja Hegde try their best to hold the film with their performances, the poorly written script gives them nothing to work with. The core issue is the story itself predictable, outdated, and recycled from countless Tamil and Telugu films we’ve seen before. It’s baffling that a talented filmmaker like Karthik Subbaraj chose such a stale and lifeless narrative. His signature style, which usually elevates even a simple plot, is nowhere to be found here. It’s frustrating to see a director known for innovation deliver such a lazy, Scattered film. This is not just disappointing it’s a massive letdown.
Verdict
This movie is a big disappointment. The story is old, boring, and tests our patience. Karthik Subbaraj completely failed this time. Even Suriya’s strong acting couldn’t save the film. The movie has no freshness, no grip, and feels like a waste of time. One of the weakest films in recent times.
Rating: 1.5/5
