Retro (2025) Movie Review: Ambitious but Uneven Gangster Saga


Retro (2025), directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde, is a Tamil-language romantic action drama that blends love, laughter, and war with a touch of mythology and political undertones. Released on May 1, 2025, the film has garnered attention for its bold genre mix, stellar performances, and technical prowess, though it struggles to maintain narrative coherence. Image source: Wikipedia


Summary of Retro

Set across different timelines, Retro follows Paarivel “Paari” Kannan (Suriya), an orphan raised by gangster Thilagan (Joju George) and his wife Sandhya (Swastika) in 1960s Thoothukudi. Paari, marked by a trident-shaped scar, is tied to a prophecy and seeks his true origins while navigating a violent world. 

His love for Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), a veterinarian who abhors violence, pushes him to abandon his criminal past. However, the pursuit of a mysterious “Gold Fish” and conflicts with a violent cult in the Andaman Islands pull him back into chaos. 

The story weaves themes of love, redemption, and Buddhist philosophy (Dhammam), with Paari emerging as a savior figure for an oppressed Tamil population, possibly symbolizing the Eelam issue.

Plus Points

Suriya’s Stellar Performance: Suriya delivers a career-defining performance as Paari, embodying a mythical yet relatable hero. His versatility shines in action, comedy, and emotional scenes, with standout moments like the mirror-smiling scene earning widespread praise. Critics and fans alike praise his ability to carry the film, making it a must-watch for his loyal followers.

Technical Brilliance: The film’s technical aspects are a highlight. Santhosh Narayanan’s thumping background score and songs like “Kannima” and “Kannadi Poove” elevate the theatrical experience, with the score complementing the retro aesthetic. Shreyaas Krishna’s cinematography captures the 1960s and 1990s settings with flair, while a 15-minute single-take sequence blending action, drama, and the “Kannima” song is a cinematic triumph.

Ambitious Genre-Blending: Karthik Subbaraj’s attempt to merge romance, action, comedy, and mythology with political subtext is bold. The first half is engaging, with well-developed characters and conflicts, setting up an emotional core that resonates with audiences. The film’s exploration of Buddhist philosophy and references to Lord Krishna add depth.

Supporting Cast: Pooja Hegde delivers one of her best performances as Rukmini, bringing sincerity to the romantic arc. Joju George’s portrayal of Thilagan is compelling, adding gravitas to the father-son dynamic. The ensemble, including Jayaram and cameos by Prakash Raj and Santhosh Narayanan, adds value despite underutilized roles.

Commercial Success: Retro broke box office records, grossing ₹46 crore worldwide on its opening day and becoming Suriya’s highest-grossing film, with ₹97–250 crore against a ₹60–65 crore budget. It sold 2 lakh tickets in Tamil Nadu within 24 hours, surpassing previous records.

Negative Points

Uneven Second Half: The film’s second half falters, losing the momentum of the strong first half. The introduction of a new plot involving a violent cult and political themes feels disjointed, resembling a different movie. Critics note it lacks the emotional depth and coherence of the first half, making it exhausting and unfocused.

Choppy Screenplay: The screenplay struggles to balance multiple tracks—romance, action, comedy, and political commentary—resulting in a cluttered narrative. Key emotional moments, like Paari’s reunion with Rukmini or his discovery of his origins, are rushed, reducing their impact.

Underdeveloped Characters: Supporting characters like Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj are underutilized, with weak arcs that fail to contribute meaningfully. The villains are described as “dummy pieces,” lacking depth or menace, which dilutes the stakes.

Overambitious Scope: The film’s attempt to juggle mythological metaphors, political allegory (possibly referencing the Eelam issue), and genre shifts leads to a tonal mess. Critics note that the quirky themes and absurd ideas, like a laughter therapy clinic at a former gallows site, don’t always land.

Pacing Issues: With a runtime of 168 minutes, the film feels overstretched, particularly in the second half’s lengthy fight sequences. Tighter editing could have enhanced the flow and emotional payoff.

Production Trivia

Announcement and Filming: Retro was announced in March 2024 as Suriya 44 with the tagline “Love, Laughter, War.” Filming began in June 2024 and wrapped by early October, spanning locations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ooty, Kerala, and Chennai.

Dubbing and Post-Production: Joju George completed dubbing in January 2025, Pooja Hegde in February (her first time dubbing for a Tamil film), and Suriya in early April. The final edit, submitted to the CBFC in mid-April, received a U/A certificate after censoring violent scenes and language, with a runtime of 2 hours 48 minutes.

Music and Promotion: Santhosh Narayanan’s music, his first collaboration with Suriya, was a highlight, with the “Kannadi Poove” single released on February 13, 2025, and the A-side album on April 18. The announcement poster became the most-viewed for an Indian film in 24 hours on Twitter. A “first shot” video, a novel promotional tactic, was released on June 2, 2024, boosting anticipation.

Streaming and Box Office: Netflix acquired streaming rights for ₹80 crore (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada) and ₹25 crore (Hindi), with the film available from May 30, 2025. It grossed ₹48.9 crore in six days but saw a dip, recovering 75% of its budget.

Cultural Elements: Pooja Hegde wore a 70-year-old Kanjivaram saree from her vintage collection during promotions, evoking nostalgia. The film’s Krishna and Buddhist references, including naming the leads Paarivel and Rukmini, add a mythological layer.

Summary of the Review

Retro is a visually stunning and ambitious film that showcases Suriya’s magnetic performance and Karthik Subbaraj’s genre-blending vision. The first half captivates with its emotional depth, technical brilliance, and a stellar 15-minute single-take sequence. However, the second half stumbles with a convoluted plot, pacing issues, and underdeveloped characters, preventing it from reaching its full potential. 

Santhosh Narayanan’s music and Shreyaas Krishna’s cinematography are standout elements, while Pooja Hegde and Joju George add value to the cast. Despite its flaws, Retro is a commercial triumph and a treat for Suriya fans, though it falls short of being a cohesive masterpiece. It’s a one-time watch for its style and star power but may leave audiences wanting more emotional resonance.

In Summary, watch for Suriya’s performance and technical brilliance, but temper expectations for narrative depth. 

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