Release Date: May 1, 2025 | Runtime: 2h 48m | Language: Tamil/Telugu | Director: Karthik Subbaraj | Budget: ₹65 Crore
2025 Retro Review: Retro movie packs a hosts of mixture from the likes of action, romance, and socio-political themes. It is being set in the backdrop of 1970s-80s, Paarivel “Paari” Kannan (Suriya) a reformed person who used to be a gangster earlier, battles his violent past to protect, in present his wife Rukmini (Pooja Hegde). This movie packs all the high-octane scenes, framed against a retro aesthetic.
Let’s dive right into the much awaited movie review of this action & romance packed movie.
Production & Cast
- Production: It is co-produced by Suriya’s 2D Entertainment & Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Creations.
- Lead Cast:
- Suriya as Paari (dual looks: Fu Manchu moustache/mullet vs trimmed beard).
- Pooja Hegde as Rukmini, hailed as her “career-best role”.
- Supporting Cast: Joju George (gangster Thilakan), Prakash Raj, Nassar, Jayaram, and Sujith Shankar.
- Cameos: Shriya Saran (item song Love Detox), Santhosh Narayanan (as himself).
Technical Brilliance
- Music: Santhosh Narayanan’s BGM and viral track Kanima (40M+ YouTube views).
- Cinematography: Shreyaas Krishna’s amazing visuals, including a 15-minute single-take sequence which combines both dance and action.
- Action Choreography: Thai martial arts by expert Kecha Khamphakdee.
Pre-Release Hype
- Advance Bookings: Crossed ₹7.75 crore in Tamil Nadu alone.
- Anticipation Drivers: Suriya’s comeback post-Kanguva, Subbaraj’s beautiful directorial works, and Pooja’s return to Tamil cinema.
2025 Retro Review: Audience Reactions & Sentiment Analysis
Positive Highlights
- Suriya’s Career-Defining Performance
- Fans praised his “intensity and vulnerability,” particularly in emotional scenes and action sequences like the Kanima song shoot.
- Technical Mastery
- The 15-minute single-shot sequence and Santhosh Narayanan’s BGM were widely appreciated as “elevating the film’s tension”.
- Pooja Hegde’s Breakthrough
- Critics called her role “emotionally resonant,” with scenes that “empathize with her struggle”.
Criticisms
- Uneven Pacing & Screenplay
- The second half’s storyline’s shift towards mystical elements (e.g., “Golden Fish” subplot) felt disjointed, with critiques of “too many tracks” disrupting coherence.
- Mixed Genre Execution
- While the “Retro” proved to be an action packed, the romantic arc was rather deemed underdeveloped/dull, and Jayaram’s comedic subplot “didn’t quite lead the series of laughter/amusement”.
- Dialogue & Tone
- Some viewers found dialogues “okayish,” comedy and seriousness were widely criticized for being inconsistent throughout.
Critical Reception
| Outlet | Rating | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Express | 3/5 | “Suriya anchors an indulgent but bold experiment; technical brilliance overshadows narrative flaws.” |
| Hindustan Times | 3/5 | “A stylish yet uneven ride—Suriya shines, but the choppy screenplay falters.” |
| Sakshi Post | 4/5 | “A visual treat with Suriya’s best performance in years; a gritty emotional rollercoaster.” |
| Zee News | Mixed | “Fans split: ‘Pure cinema’ vs. ‘Karthik’s weakest screenplay.’ Pooja Hegde emerges as the standout.” |
Social Media Breakdown
X(formerly twitter) Reactions:
- Positive:
- “#Retro is FIRE! Interval block & BGM gave me chills. Suriya is BACK!”.
- “Pooja Hegde’s emotional scenes wrecked me. Career-best!”.
- Negative:
- “Second half dragged like a snail. Trim 30 mins!”.
- “Karthik’s weakest writing. Suriya deserved better.”.
YouTube Trends
- Kanima song crossed 40M views, with dance tutorials and reaction videos trending.
2025 Retro Review: Box Office
- Opening Day: ₹11.77 crore (India net by 4 PM), aims for ₹20 crore.
- Competition: Faces tough competition from HIT 3 and Tourist Family but it is able to dominate Tamil Nadu/Kerala markets.
- Verdict: Polarizing reception may affect long-term collections, but Suriya’s star power and action pack comeback after a decade long dull performances drives initial momentum.
Also Read: Karthik Subbaraj Net Worth Revealed, his est. 20-25 Crores Worth of Assets Exposed
Final Verdict
Retro delivers a visually arresting, action packed performance experience but the plot struggles with narrative inconsistency. While Suriya and Pooja Hegde shines, Karthik Subbaraj’s directions and ambitious genre-blending falters under its own weight.
A must-watch for Suriya fan(a marvelous comeback) and retro-era enthusiasts, though do not go in with high expectations.
You can directly book the movie tickets for the “2025 Retro” here.