Thangalaam Review: Pa. Ranjith’s Mythic Epic Balances Vision and Uneven Execution

Director / Story: Pa. Ranjith

Dialogue Writer: Tamil Prabha

Cinematography: Kishore Kumar

Editing: Selva

Music / Score: G. V. Prakash Kumar

Producers / Studios: K. E. Gnanavel Raja under Neelam Productions and Studio Green

Cast: Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Pasupathy, Hari Krishnan
 Rating: 6.5 / 10

Set against the backdrop of British colonial exploitation, Thangalaan unfolds in the Kolar region, exploring the intersection of greed, identity, and resistance. The narrative follows Thangalaan (Vikram), a tribal leader whose people are lured into a dangerous gold-mining venture initiated by a British explorer.

Pa. Ranjith weaves his trademark social commentary — touching on caste, oppression, and ancestral memory — into an ambitious framework that blurs the line between realism and myth. The film leans into magical realism, with sequences where folklore, nature, and mysticism intertwine to create haunting imagery.

Some of Thangalaan’s most powerful moments emerge in its set pieces: a perilous river crossing, a confrontation with a panther, guerrilla skirmishes, and evocative flashbacks to ancestral times. These moments elevate the film to near-mythic proportions.

Yet, the narrative’s complexity occasionally undermines its emotional engagement. Critics have noted that the second half loses coherence, with pacing dips and abrupt tonal shifts between the mystical and the mundane. The result is a film more experiential than emotional — one that mesmerizes in fragments but struggles to sustain its rhythm.

Vikram delivers a commanding performance, infusing Thangalaan with raw intensity and internal turmoil. His physical transformation and primal energy are extraordinary, and many critics hail this as one of his finest performances in recent years. Even when the screenplay falters, Vikram’s gravitas keeps the film grounded.

Parvathy brings tenderness and quiet resilience to Gangamma, lending emotional weight even to underwritten moments. Malavika Mohanan’s Aarathi — ethereal and enigmatic — adds a mystical dimension to the story. Though her screen time is limited, she leaves a lingering impression, particularly in sequences steeped in myth and ritual.

Daniel Caltagirone, Pasupathy, and Hari Krishnan provide solid support, though they often fade into the shadow of Vikram’s magnetic presence.

Kishore Kumar’s cinematography is one of Thangalaan’s greatest assets — capturing rugged tribal terrains, golden dust-laden vistas, and mythic dreamscapes with painterly precision. G. V. Prakash Kumar’s score, rooted in folk instrumentation and rhythmic pulse, enriches the film’s emotional atmosphere and has been widely praised.

Editing by Selva, however, divides opinion. While individual sequences shine, the overall flow suffers from uneven pacing and abrupt transitions. Visual effects — especially in creature and fantasy sequences — reveal the ambition but not always the polish of the film’s vision.

Thangalaan opened to an encouraging start, earning approximately ₹12 crore on Day 1 across India. Its first weekend brought in around ₹65 crore, with total worldwide collections reportedly crossing ₹105 crore by the end of its theatrical run.

Despite this respectable tally, the film underperformed relative to its production budget, estimated between ₹100 crore and ₹150 crore. Industry analysts describe Thangalaan as a “prestige project” that garnered critical curiosity and moderate commercial success but fell short of blockbuster status.

Released theatrically on 15 August 2024, Thangalaan found a wider audience following its Netflix premiere on 10 December 2024. The digital release has sparked renewed appreciation, particularly among international viewers drawn to its mythic world-building and social themes.

Thangalaan is a bold cinematic endeavor that marries myth and history with social critique. While its ambition occasionally outpaces its clarity, the film stands as a testament to Pa. Ranjith’s visual imagination and thematic conviction. With Vikram’s powerhouse performance and breathtaking visuals, Thangalaan remains an imperfect yet unforgettable experience — a film that dares to dream beyond the ordinary.