Movie Review: Retro (2025)


  • Language: Tamil (also released in Hindi and Telugu)
  • Genre: Romantic Action Drama
  • Release Date: May 1, 2025
  • Runtime: 168 minutes
  • Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5) 


๐Ÿง‘‍๐ŸŽค Cast:

  • Suriya as Paarivel "Paari" Kannan
  • Pooja Hegde as Rukmini
  • Joju George
  • Jayaram
  • Prakash Raj
  • Nassar
  • Sujith Sankar
  • Swasika
  • Karunakaran
  • Avinash Raghudevan
  • Gajaraj
  • Tamizh
  • Prem Kumar
  • Ramachandran Durairaj
  • Remya Suresh
  • Udhayabanu Mageswaran
  • Sandeep Raj
  • Murugavel
  • Kaarthekeyen S
  • MD Asif
  • Shriya Saran
  • Santhosh Narayanan 

๐ŸŽฌ Crew:

  • Director & Writer: Karthik Subbaraj
  • Producers: Suriya, Jyothika, Rajsekar Pandian, Kaarthekeyen S
  • Music Composer: Santhosh Narayanan
  • Cinematographer: Shreyaas Krishna
  • Editor: Shafique Mohamed Ali
  • Production Companies: 2D Entertainment, Stone Bench Creations 

๐Ÿ“ Plot Summary:

Set in the 1990s, Retro follows the journey of Paarivel "Paari" Kannan, an orphan raised by a gangster. As he confronts betrayal and a violent cult, Paari embarks on a quest to uncover his origins, fulfill a prophecy, and reunite with his lost love, Rukmini.  

๐ŸŒŸ Highlights:

  • Performances: Suriya delivers a compelling performance, capturing the nuances of a man torn between his past and destiny. Pooja Hegde impresses as Rukmini, bringing depth to her character.  
  • Direction: Karthik Subbaraj masterfully blends romance, action, and drama, creating a narrative that pays homage to vintage cinema while offering fresh storytelling. 
  • Music & Cinematography: Santhosh Narayanan's music complements the film's mood, while Shreyaas Krishna's cinematography captures the essence of the 90s era. 


๐ŸŽฏ Final Verdict:

Retro is a nostalgic ride that combines love, laughter, and war. While the film excels in its first half with strong performances and engaging storytelling, the second half falters slightly. Nonetheless, it's a commendable effor

t that offers a fresh take on retro-themed cinema.  

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