Athiradi is the Malayalam entertainer you didn’t know you needed this summer. With two of Malayalam cinema’s most beloved stars sharing the screen for the first time, director Arun Anirudhan’s debut film bursts with infectious energy, big laughs, and heart — making it an absolute must-watch theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
Athiradi is a Malayalam Action-Comedy film directed by Arun Anirudhan, running 2 hours and 37 minutes. Released theatrically on 14 May 2026, the film carries a U2 (Universal) certificate, making it a clean, family-friendly watch. Starring Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas in career-defining roles, this high-energy campus entertainer is a celebration of youth, friendship, and second chances that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Arun Anirudhan |
| Writer | Arun Anirudhan, Paulson Skaria |
| Cinematography | Samuel Henry |
| Music | Vishnu Vijay |
| Editing | Chamman Chacko |
| Art Direction | Akhil Damodhar |
| Costumes | Mashar Hamsa |
| Basil Joseph | Sam |
| Tovino Thomas | Kuttan |
| Zarin Shihab | Supporting Role |
| Riya Shibu | Supporting Role |
| Vineeth Sreenivasan | As Himself |
| Shaan Rahman | As Himself |
| Jeo Baby | Police Officer |
Plot Summary
Engineering student Sam has one burning mission — to revive his college’s iconic Arohan fest, shut down years ago after an unfortunate incident. On the other side of town, Kuttan, a retired goon with a soft heart and a big musical dream, wants to perform at a local temple festival and finally turn over a new leaf. When these two wildly different worlds collide, what follows is a riotous, laugh-out-loud battle of wills wrapped in warmth, nostalgia, friendship, and pure festive energy.
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Performances
Tovino Thomas as Kuttan
Tovino Thomas is an absolute revelation in Athiradi. Playing the lovable retired rowdy Kuttan, he unleashes a side of himself audiences have rarely seen — full of comic genius, impeccable timing, and surprising vulnerability. Kuttan is easily one of the most memorable comic characters Tovino has ever brought to life, and he owns every frame he appears in with complete conviction. This is a landmark performance in his already stellar career.
Basil Joseph as Sam
Basil Joseph is the beating heart of Athiradi. As the perennially underestimated Gen Z college kid with a hidden fire, Basil delivers a performance that feels effortlessly lived-in. His ability to make the audience laugh, root for him, and genuinely feel his emotions makes him one of the most instinctive screen performers working in Malayalam cinema today. His chemistry with Tovino is pure gold.
Vineeth Sreenivasan & Shaan Rahman
Playing exaggerated versions of themselves, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Shaan Rahman are side-splittingly funny and contribute some of the film’s biggest laughs. Their willingness to poke fun at their own personas adds a meta charm that fans will absolutely love.
Jeo Baby
Jeo Baby is a scene-stealer of the highest order as the caricatured, bumbling police officer. Every scene he’s in crackles with comic energy and his character becomes a delightful highlight of the film’s situational comedy sequences.
Zarin Shihab & Riya Shibu
Zarin Shihab and Riya Shibu bring grace and warmth to their roles and make their presence felt despite limited screen time. Both actresses bring credibility and charm to their characters, complementing the ensemble beautifully.
Technical Craft
Direction – Arun Anirudhan
Arun Anirudhan, who co-wrote the superhero blockbuster Minnal Murali, steps behind the camera for the first time and announces himself with tremendous confidence. His direction brims with infectious swagger and a clear love for mass entertainment. He balances comedy, emotion, and action with remarkable assurance for a debut filmmaker and gives Athiradi a distinct visual and tonal identity.
Screenplay – Arun Anirudhan & Paulson Skaria
The writing duo crafts a campus world that feels lived-in, warm, and hilariously real. While the broad strokes — college politics, gang rivalries, friendship — tread familiar ground, the sharp comic situations, snappy dialogue, and emotionally resonant beats keep the story constantly engaging.
Cinematography – Samuel Henry
Samuel Henry’s camera work is a joy to watch. He captures the vibrant chaos of campus life and the festive spirit of the temple celebrations with equal panache, painting Athiradi in vivid, lively frames that amplify every emotional beat and comic moment.
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Music – Vishnu Vijay
Vishnu Vijay’s soundtrack is a character in itself. The music perfectly mirrors the film’s celebratory spirit — from high-energy festival numbers to quieter emotional moments — and leaves audiences humming long after the credits roll.
Editing – Chamman Chacko
Chamman Chacko’s editing is tight and energetic throughout. For a film running nearly two hours and forty minutes, the pacing rarely sags, a testament to how well the edit is calibrated to the film’s rhythms and comic beats.
Art Direction & Costumes – Akhil Damodhar & Mashar Hamsa
The production design authentically recreates the world of an engineering college campus, while the costumes smartly reflect each character’s personality. Together, they give Athiradi a vibrant, lived-in visual texture.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Career-best comic performance from Tovino Thomas as Kuttan
- Basil Joseph is effortlessly charming and relatable as the Gen Z hero
- Brilliant situational comedy and consistently sharp laughs throughout
- Vishnu Vijay’s music elevates the film’s festive energy
- Samuel Henry’s cinematography is colourful and immersive
- Confident, swagger-filled debut direction from Arun Anirudhan
- Vineeth Sreenivasan and Shaan Rahman’s cameos are inspired and hilarious
- An emotionally resonant celebration of youth, second chances, and dreams
Weaknesses
- Female characters Zarin Shihab and Riya Shibu are underwritten and given limited scope
- The core premise of campus politics and gang rivalries covers familiar territory
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Athiradi is a full-blooded, laugh-out-loud celebration of youth, friendship, music, and dreams — and one of the most purely enjoyable Malayalam entertainers in recent years. Tovino Thomas delivers what could be his finest comic performance, while Basil Joseph reaffirms his status as one of Malayalam cinema’s most beloved and relatable stars. Director Arun Anirudhan’s debut is impressively assured — a film that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but spins it with so much joy, energy, and heart that you cannot help but be swept along for the ride. Don’t miss it on the big screen.
What is the age rating of Athiradi?
Athiradi carries a U2 certificate, making it suitable for a universal audience.
Can we watch Athiradi with kids?
Yes, absolutely. Athiradi is a fun-filled, feel-good campus comedy that the entire family can enjoy together.
Is Athiradi based on a true story?
No, Athiradi is a fictional story written by director Arun Anirudhan and Paulson Skaria.
