When Thalavara hit theatres on August 22, 2025, it arrived without any massive hype or fanfare. Yet, it took the audience by pleasant surprise, and what followed was a wave of emotional reactions from audiences and praise from critics who were deeply moved by its honest storytelling and Arjun Ashokan’s standout performance. Produced by Mahesh Narayanan and Shebin Backer and directed by Akhil Anilkumar, the film has emerged as one of 2025’s most talked-about Malayalam releases. Here’s what fans and critics have to say about it.
Thalavara is a story rooted in struggles and dreams
Set in Palakkad, the Malayalam film, Thalavara follows ‘Jyothish’, a young man living with vitiligo, who dreams of making a name for himself in the film industry. He battles societal perceptions, family discouragement, and his own self-doubt. The story smartly avoids turning vitiligo into a sob story and instead focuses on ‘Jyothish’s’ internal growth. It beautifully portrays his journey from insecurity to self-acceptance, while exploring his passion for cinema and life’s everyday hurdles.
