Retro is a 2025 Tamil action drama directed by Karthik Subbaraj, starring Suriya in a complex, emotionally charged lead role. The film is a sweeping saga that spans decades, blending elements of gangster drama, romance, family conflict, and mythic prophecy. With a supporting cast including Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, and Nassar, and music by Santhosh Narayanan, Retro promised a fresh collaboration between two of Tamil cinema’s most dynamic talents-Karthik Subbaraj and Suriya. Does it live up to the hype? Here’s a detailed, spoiler-free review.

Story and Plot Overview

A Boy with a Scar, a Gangster’s World

The film opens in 1960s Thoothukudi, where Sandhya, the compassionate wife of gangster Thilagan (Joju George), adopts an orphaned infant with a spear-shaped scar. She names him Paarivel “Paari” Kannan and raises him with love, though Thilagan sees him only as a future henchman. After Sandhya’s death, Paari grows up in the shadow of Thilagan’s criminal empire, earning his adoptive father’s reluctant respect after saving his life during an ambush.

Love, Loyalty, and Betrayal

By the late 1980s, Thilagan remarries and has a biological son, but Paari remains fiercely loyal to him. Paari’s life changes when he reunites with Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), a veterinarian he met as a teenager. Their romance blossoms over four years, and they plan to marry. On their wedding day in 1993, Paari announces he’s leaving the world of crime for Rukmini’s sake. Thilagan, however, accuses Paari of sabotaging a crucial arms deal (“Gold Fish”) and, in a fit of rage, tries to kill Rukmini. Paari retaliates, injuring Thilagan, and is arrested. Heartbroken by his return to violence, Rukmini vanishes from his life.

Exile, Escape, and the Cult

Five years later, in 1998, Paari is offered early release if he fights for a mysterious cult. Learning that Rukmini is in the Andaman Islands, he escapes custody and heads there. To get close to her, he kidnaps Chaplin Laali (Jayaram), a comedic therapist, and impersonates him, with the real Laali forced to play along. The island is ruled by the cruel Lord Milton (Gajaraj) and his son Freddie, who torments Rukmini and abuses animals. When Freddie’s harassment turns violent, Paari attacks him, drawing the wrath of the island’s ruling class.

The Arena and a Lost Legacy

Freddie hires a notorious cult leader, Michael (Vidhu), who runs the brutal “Rubber Cult,” forcing the poor into gladiator-style death matches. Paari’s fighting prowess makes him a star in the arena. During a drunken celebration, he accidentally reveals the secret location of the Gold Fish arms cache. Meanwhile, enslaved locals recognize his scar, identifying him as the prophesied child destined to reclaim a sacred spear and liberate the island.

Paari discovers his true identity: he is Jada Muni, the long-lost son of Pasupathy and Pallavi, twin to a sister, and heir to a prophecy. His parents smuggled him away as a baby to save him from Rajavel (Nassar), Michael’s father, and the island’s tyrant.

Prophecy Fulfilled

Embracing his destiny, Paari/Jada Muni returns to the arena, defeats Michael, and storms Rajavel’s estate. He reclaims the sacred spear, returns it to the temple, and reunites with his birth family. Rukmini, now understanding his journey, reconciles with him.

But the peace is shattered when Thilagan, Michael, and Freddie attack the temple. Paari, backed by the islanders and the hidden Gold Fish arms, outsmarts them. His mother, Pallavi, fires a warning shot, forcing their surrender. The film ends with the islanders celebrating their freedom and Paari and Rukmini finally marrying, prophecy and love fulfilled.

Characters and Performances

• Suriya as Paarivel “Paari” Kannan / Jada Muni: Suriya delivers a layered performance, capturing Paari’s evolution from orphan to gangster, lover, gladiator, and finally, liberator. His emotional range-conflicted loyalty, heartbreak, rage, and redemption-is the film’s anchor.

• Pooja Hegde as Dr. Rukmini: Pooja brings warmth and strength to Rukmini, making her more than just a love interest. Her chemistry with Suriya is convincing, and she shines in both emotional and confrontational scenes.

• Joju George as Thilagan: Joju is menacing yet tragic as the gangster father, torn between ambition and his complicated feelings for Paari.

• Jayaram as Chaplin Laali: Jayaram provides comic relief and pathos as the kidnapped therapist, adding levity to the film’s darker stretches.

• Nassar as Rajavel and Vidhu as Michael: Both play formidable villains, with Nassar embodying old-school tyranny and Vidhu bringing a modern, sadistic edge.

• Supporting Cast: The ensemble, including Prakash Raj, Gajaraj, Swasika, and others, add depth and color to the sprawling narrative.

Direction and Screenplay

Karthik Subbaraj is known for genre-bending, stylish films, and Retro is no exception. The first half is tightly constructed, balancing action, romance, and dark humor. The 15-minute wedding sequence is a technical and emotional highlight. However, the second half, set on the island, introduces a barrage of new characters, subplots, and mythic elements, making the screenplay feel overstuffed and sometimes choppy.

Subbaraj’s use of music, visual motifs, and genre mashups (gangster drama, romance, action, myth) keeps the film energetic but occasionally muddles its focus. Still, his flair for staging action and extracting strong performances from his cast is evident throughout.

Visuals and Technical Aspects

• Cinematography: The film is visually striking, moving from the smoky streets of Thoothukudi to the lush, perilous landscapes of the Andaman Islands. The arena sequences are particularly well-shot, with dynamic camera work and inventive use of color and lighting.

• Action and Effects: The fight choreography is brutal and inventive, especially in the cult’s gladiator games. Some CGI moments, especially involving the crocodile pit, are less convincing but do not detract from the overall impact.

• Music: Santhosh Narayanan’s score is a standout, blending retro beats, folk, and high-energy action cues. The soundtrack, including the dance number “Love Detox,” adds to the film’s unique flavor.

• Editing: The first half is brisk and engaging, but the second half’s pacing suffers under the weight of multiple plot threads.

Themes and Analysis

• Redemption and Destiny: At its heart, Retro is about a man’s attempt to escape his violent past and fulfill a destiny larger than himself.

• Family and Identity: The film explores the pain and power of chosen and biological families, as well as the search for one’s true self.

• Power and Oppression: The island’s cult and the tyrants who run it are metaphors for systemic abuse, with Paari’s journey symbolizing the fight for liberation.

• Love and Sacrifice: Paari’s romance with Rukmini is the emotional core, driving his desire for change and redemption.

What Works

• Suriya’s Performance: His range and charisma carry the film, making Paari’s journey compelling.

• Technical Brilliance: Strong cinematography, music, and action sequences elevate the film.

• Ambitious Storytelling: The film’s mythic scope and genre-blending make it stand out from typical gangster dramas.

• Emotional Core: Despite the chaos, the love story and Paari’s quest for belonging keep the narrative grounded.

What Could Be Better

• Overstuffed Second Half: The shift to the island introduces too many new elements, diluting the film’s focus and emotional impact.

• Pacing Issues: The narrative momentum slows as subplots pile up, especially during the cult sequences.

• Villain Arcs: While menacing, the antagonists lack depth, serving more as obstacles than fully realized characters.

• Predictable Tropes: The “gangster seeking redemption” arc, while well-executed, feels familiar.

Audience and Critical Reception

Retro opened to massive expectations, with audiences praising Suriya’s performance, the film’s technical strengths, and its ambitious storytelling. Critics were divided: many lauded the first half’s energy and emotional stakes, but noted the second half’s uneven pacing and overcomplicated plot. The film’s blend of action, romance, and mythic spectacle was widely appreciated, but some felt it tried to do too much.

Box Office Collection

Retro performed strongly at the box office, driven by Suriya’s star power, Karthik Subbaraj’s brand, and strong word of mouth for its first half.

• Budget: Estimated ₹90 crore

• Opening Weekend (India): ₹45 crore gross

• First Week (India): ₹80 crore gross

• Overseas Gross (First Week): ₹22 crore

• Worldwide Gross (as of May 2025): ₹150 crore

• Tamil Nadu Gross: ₹60 crore

• Kerala & Karnataka Gross: ₹18 crore

• Rest of India: ₹12 crore

• Final Worldwide Gross (projected): ₹175 crore

The film became one of the top Tamil box office performers of 2025, especially strong in urban centers and among Suriya fans.

Final Verdict

Retro is an ambitious, visually rich action drama that gives Suriya a meaty, multifaceted role. The first half is gripping, emotional, and technically dazzling, while the second half, though imaginative, loses some steam under the weight of its own ambition. Still, the film’s blend of romance, action, and mythic heroism makes it a memorable ride.

Rating: 3.5/5

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of Suriya, Karthik Subbaraj’s genre-bending style, or Tamil action dramas with a mythic twist, Retro is worth watching on the big screen. It’s a film about finding your path, facing your past, and fighting for love and justice-even when the odds seem impossible. While not without its flaws, Retro stands out for its ambition, heart, and the sheer force of its lead performance.