Retro (2025) Movie HDHub4u.tv

Retro, the much-anticipated Tamil action drama released on May 1, 2025, marks another collaboration between acclaimed director Karthik Subbaraj and superstar Suriya. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj and featuring Suriya, Pooja, Jayaram, and Joju, the film follows a gangster trying to avoid violence and lead a peaceful life after vowing to his wife.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Thoothukudi, Retro combines elements of action, drama, and romance in a period setting that allows for rich visual storytelling. The movie features an ensemble cast including seasoned actors like Prakash Raj, Nassar, and Karunakaran, with music composed by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna.

Retro Cast

Plot and Storyline

The narrative of Retro centers around Paari, played by Suriya, a notorious gangster who attempts to transform his life after making a promise to his wife Sandhya. Tilak (Joju George) is introduced as a notorious gangster who becomes central to the conflict that drives the plot forward. The story explores the philosophical struggle between love and violence, as Paari navigates the challenges of leaving behind his criminal past while being pulled back into the world he desperately wants to escape.

Set in the vibrant yet dangerous landscape of 1960s Tamil Nadu, the film delves into themes of loyalty, family, and the possibility of redemption. The period setting allows Subbaraj to create a visually rich environment that complements the internal conflict of the protagonist. However, critics have noted that while the premise is promising, the execution occasionally falters in maintaining narrative momentum throughout its lengthy runtime.

Cast Performance and Direction

Suriya delivers a committed performance as Paari, showcasing both the vulnerability of a man seeking change and the intensity required for the action sequences. User reviews praised Suriya’s acting as incredible, noting it as a much-needed hit for the actor and calling it definitely Suriya’s comeback!! His portrayal attempts to balance the character’s violent past with his desire for a peaceful future, though some critics feel the character development could have been more nuanced.

Pooja Hegde, playing Sandhya, has received particular acclaim for her performance in the film. Critics noted that Pooja delivers the best performance of her career and Pooja Hegde as well stole the show. Her chemistry with Suriya adds emotional depth to the narrative, and she successfully anchors the film’s romantic elements while providing the moral compass for Suriya’s character transformation.

The supporting cast, including Jayaram, Joju George, and other veteran actors, provides solid performances that enhance the film’s overall impact. Karthik Subbaraj’s direction maintains his signature style of blending commercial elements with artistic sensibilities, though some reviewers have noted that the film follows his established template perhaps too closely.

Technical Excellence and Visual Appeal

Retro excels in its technical aspects, with particular praise for its production values and period recreation. The background score by SANA is highlighted as lit and really enhances the slow-paced scenes, while Santhosh Narayanan’s music composition adds layers to the storytelling. The film features memorable musical moments, with the Kannima song being mentioned as one of the highlights.

The cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna captures the 1960s setting effectively, creating a visual palette that supports the film’s nostalgic yet gritty tone. Critics specifically praised the mirror scene and the single-shot sequences as technical highlights that demonstrate Subbaraj’s directorial prowess and attention to cinematic craft.

Critical Reception and Ratings

The film has received a mixed to positive response from critics and audiences alike. IMDb users have rated the film 7.9/10, indicating generally favorable audience reception. However, professional critics have been more divided in their assessment.

123telugu.com rated the film 2.75/5, representing a lukewarm critical reception. The review highlighted issues with pacing and narrative structure, suggesting that while the film has strong technical merits, it struggles with storytelling consistency. Wikipedia notes that The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Suriya and Hegde’s performances and technical aspects, but some noted issues with the pacing.

Critics have been particularly vocal about the film’s structural problems. One review noted that The first half of the movie is really good, but the second half is just okay, indicating a decline in narrative quality as the film progresses. Another review stated that the movie takes too many detours and introduces uninteresting threads and concluded that RETRO is not the comeback film Suriya was hoping for.

Box Office Performance

Despite mixed critical reception, Retro has performed reasonably well at the box office. The film scored the second-highest opening in Suriya’s career and surpassed seven other Kollywood films on its opening day. The worldwide collection reached Rs 34.80 crore on its first day and Rs 11.65 crore on the second day.

However, the film’s commercial journey has been somewhat inconsistent. The final worldwide box office collection reached approximately ₹96.5 crore, falling just short of the ₹100 crore mark despite strong pre-release buzz. While the film couldn’t generate the desired results overall, the overseas market provided some positive results, becoming Suriya’s number one grosser in international markets post-COVID.

What Works and What Doesn’t

Retro succeeds in several key areas that make it worth watching. The film’s technical excellence, particularly in music, cinematography, and production design, creates an immersive 1960s atmosphere. Suriya and Pooja Hegde’s performances anchor the emotional core of the story effectively, with both actors delivering career-defining work that elevates the material.

The film’s exploration of redemption and the conflict between love and violence provides thematic depth that resonates with audiences. Subbaraj’s direction showcases moments of brilliance, particularly in the aforementioned mirror scene and single-shot sequences that demonstrate his cinematic vision.

However, the film falters in maintaining consistent pacing throughout its 168-minute runtime. Critics noted that despite its strong technical elements, ‘Retro‘ falters in balancing its emotional depth and thematic ambitions and never fully commits to either love or violence as central themes. The second half’s inability to match the first half’s energy creates a viewing experience that feels uneven.

The film’s adherence to Subbaraj’s established template, while providing familiar pleasures for his fans, may feel repetitive to those seeking fresh narrative approaches. The lengthy runtime, combined with pacing issues, occasionally tests audience patience despite the strong performances and technical craft.

Retro represents a solid, if imperfect, addition to both Suriya’s filmography and the Tamil gangster genre. While it may not be the definitive comeback film that was hoped for, it offers enough entertainment value and technical excellence to satisfy audiences looking for a stylishly crafted period drama with strong performances at its center.