‘Thammudu 2025’ Movie Review: Nithiin Battles Emotional Baggage in a Clunky Survival Thriller

Thammudu 2025, directed by Venu Sriram and starring Nithiin, promised a potent mix of emotional reckoning, high-stakes action, and family drama. With a compelling concept involving an archer grappling with past trauma amid a life-or-death jungle rescue mission, the film seemed poised for success.

But instead of delivering a taut survival thriller, it gets lost in melodrama, illogical plot points, and jarring tonal shifts, making it an exhausting cinematic experience rather than an engaging one.

A Promising Start That Fizzles Fast

Nithiin plays Jai, a national-level archer aiming for world championship glory. But his biggest hurdle isn’t physical—it’s emotional. Haunted by a broken relationship with his sister (played by Laya), Jai finds solace in childhood friend Chitra (Varsha Bollamma). Chitra, a mysteriously successful entrepreneur (we’re never told what her startup does), also harbors deep feelings for Jai and isn’t shy to proclaim it—on stage, with tears and declarations.

So far, so dramatic. But the storytelling begins to wobble under the weight of too many threads and too little coherence.

Plot Summary: A Jungle Odyssey with Questionable Logic

Things go off the rails when Jai and Chitra journey to a forest near the Andhra-Chhattisgarh border to find Jai’s estranged sister. Here, Thammudu morphs into a chaotic jungle survival thriller involving a cartoonish villain (Saurabh Sachdeva), a botched insurance scam, and a lawless forest.

The villain’s eccentricity—a sensitivity to sounds over 20 decibels—is more bizarre than intimidating. He resides in a soundproof mansion with mute staff and whisper-communicates, while the film’s score blares ironically in the background. It’s an over-the-top gimmick that undermines the intended menace.

The sister, now under a new identity, is cornered in the jungle along with her family. Jai must rescue them while dodging the villain’s men and enduring absurd screenplay choices, such as a heavily pregnant woman trekking through the wilderness for ‘devotional reasons’—culminating in an unconvincing birth scene lit by firelight and dripping with melodrama.

Performances and Technical Merits

• Nithiin is earnest, displaying his usual charm and physical agility, but the script leaves him stranded. His transformation from a guilt-ridden athlete to jungle action hero feels unearned.
• Laya, marking her return, is underutilized in a paper-thin role that does little justice to her talent.
• Varsha Bollamma brings warmth and energy, but her character lacks narrative weight.
• Sapthami Gowda, initially annoying, gradually plays a more impactful role, nudging the plot forward.

Visually, the film gets a brief boost post-intermission. Cinematographers KV Guhan, Sameer Reddy, and Setu capture the forest’s unpredictability with flair, offering some immersive sequences. Unfortunately, shoddy green screen work and erratic editing undercut the tension.

Flashes of Redemption, But Not Enough

There are moments where Thammudu 2025 threatens to find its footing—a tense escape, an emotional reunion, or a visually pleasing jungle standoff. But just as quickly, logic collapses. Jai’s repeated mantra, “Go with the flow,” unintentionally mirrors the viewer’s growing frustration as the plot meanders.

The final act devolves into formulaic action, overwrought emotions, and unconvincing resolutions. By the time Jai regains his aim and the villain meets his fate in a soundproof pod, the film has long overstayed its welcome.

‘Thammudu 2025’ Movie Info Table

Final Verdict

Thammudu 2025 tries to be everything—a sports drama, a love story, a survival thriller, and a family saga—but ends up being none convincingly.

What could have been a gripping exploration of guilt, redemption, and resilience turns into a bloated, logic-defying ordeal. Despite Nithiin’s sincerity and moments of visual flair, the film is ultimately a muddled misfire.

Read More: Dandadan Season 2 Release Time on Netflix: When & Where to Watch The Explosive Return

FAQs