Athiradi Movie 2026 Bapamtv Review Details
Athiradi (2026) Malayalam Review – Tovino-Basil’s Full-On Mass Entertainer is a Festival Treat!
Yaar, I walked into the theatre expecting a decent action-comedy, but Athiradi hit me like a wave of pure festive energy. With Tovino’s swagger and Basil Joseph’s comic genius, this one had the entire hall clapping. If you miss this in theatres, you are missing the biggest laugh riot of 2026!
Here’s the quick gist: Sam (Basil Joseph) is a student desperate to revive his college’s legendary Arohan festival, while Kuttan (Tovino Thomas), a retired local goon, dreams of restarting his life through music at a temple festival. Their goals crash into each other, creating a chain of comedy, chaos, rivalry, and celebration. No spoilers, but the collision is pure gold.
Main Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Arun Anirudhan |
| Producers | Basil Joseph, Ananthu S. |
| Sreekuttan “Kuttan” Vellayani | Tovino Thomas |
| Samkutty “Sam Boy” Oommen | Basil Joseph |
| Swathy R. Krishna | Riya Shibu |
| Vineeth Sreenivasan | Himself (Cameo) |
| Kuttan’s Wife | Zarin Shihab |
| Shaan Rahman | Himself (Cameo) |
| Joseph “Joppan” Oommen | Vishnu Agasthya |
| Oommen “Chachan” | P. Sukumar |
| Prashanth “Parashu” | Shelvin James |
| RJ Elizabeth | Arsha Jayaram |
| Vivi “Alpha Male” | Shersha Sherief |
| Bosco | Tiss Thomas |
| SI Manichan | Jeo Baby |
| Fr. Paul Markose | Vineeth Thattil David |
| Merin | Darshana Rajendran |
| Dr. Lovely Mathew | Ganga Meera |
| Music (Song “IYKYK”) | Vishnu Vijay |
Insight: This is Arun Anirudhan’s big ticket after promising work in smaller films — and he shows he knows how to handle a mass hero and a comic sidekick without losing the plot.
The Entertainment Factor – Rollercoaster Ride!
From minute one, Athiradi doesn’t let you breathe. The first half is a laugh riot with Basil Joseph running around campus, trying to convince everyone about the festival. Tovino’s entry as “Thotta Kuttan” is mass masala at its best — whistle-worthy and full of swagger. The interval block had the entire theatre cheering. The second half slightly dips in pacing but recovers with a solid emotional twist. Overall, it is a full-on rollercoaster that leaves you smiling.
Star Performance – Tovino and Basil are Fire!
Tovino Thomas as Kuttan is a revelation. He brings that raw, rustic energy with perfect comic timing. Whether it is his dialogue delivery or his physical comedy, he owns every frame. Basil Joseph, as always, is the soul of the film. His expressions and timing are impeccable — especially in the scenes where he tries to balance college politics and his father’s expectations. Riya Shibu is charming and holds her own, but the film belongs to the Tovino-Basil duo. Their chemistry is the heart of Athiradi.
Direction & Vision – Arun Anirudhan Hits the Bullseye
Arun Anirudhan has crafted a film that balances mass elements with genuine heart. The way he interweaves the campus festival and the temple festival is smart. He doesn’t let the mass moments become too loud, and he gives enough space for the emotional beats to land. The pacing is mostly tight, and the screenplay keeps you engaged. For a director handling such a big canvas, this is a confident, mature outing.
Dialogues & Action Blocks – Clap-Worthy Moments Galore
The dialogues are sharp, funny, and punchy. “Njan oru thotta kuttan aanu, but mone, ningalukku oru pattu paadikkan pattumo?” — that line itself got a huge roar. The action blocks are well-choreographed, especially the climax fight set during the festival. It is not over-the-top, but it has that raw, grounded feel that Malayalam cinema does so well. The comedy blocks, especially the ones involving Basil, Shaan Rahman, and Vineeth Sreenivasan, are laugh-out-loud funny.
Mass Elements Checklist
| Element | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Action | 4 |
| Songs | 3.5 |
| Comedy | 4.5 |
| Romance | 3 |
Insight: The comedy and mass moments are the USP — if you love Basil’s style and Tovino’s screen presence, this is tailor-made for you.
Music & BGM – Vishnu Vijay’s “IYKYK” Catches On
The single “IYKYK” (sung by Fejo and Poornima Kannan) is already trending. The BGM by Vishnu Vijay elevates every mass scene. The temple festival sequence with full band and percussion is a visual and audio treat. The songs are not many, but they fit the narrative well. The background score during Tovino’s entry and the climax fight is goosebumps-inducing.
Cinematography & Technical Craft – Festival-Scale Visuals
The camera work by the cinematographer captures the energy of both the campus and the temple festival. The wide shots of the festival crowd are stunning, and the lighting during the night sequences is top-notch. The editing keeps the pace brisk, though a few scenes in the second half could have been tighter. The VFX work is minimal but effective — the crowd multiplication shots and some action enhancements look seamless.
Emotional High Points – Surprising Heart
For all its mass moments, Athiradi has a genuine emotional core. The scenes between Kuttan and his wife (Zarin Shihab) are touching. The father-son track with Basil Joseph and P. Sukumar is handled beautifully — it doesn’t become melodramatic but stays real. The climax, where both festivals come together, is emotionally satisfying. You might even tear up a little. Yeah, I did.
Who Will Enjoy This?
| Audience | Will They Enjoy? |
|---|---|
| Family | Yes – clean comedy, emotional beats |
| Youth | Definitely – college vibe, mass moments |
| Mass Audience | Absolutely – Tovino’s swagger, festival energy |
Box Office Prediction – Strong Start, Bigger Weekend
Athiradi opened with a bang, collecting 15.42 crore net in India and 34.19 crore worldwide gross in just 3 days. By day 4, it hit 45.8 crore worldwide, becoming the 4th highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2026 at that point. With positive word-of-mouth, it is set to have a strong second weekend. If the trend continues, it might cross the 100-crore mark easily. Definitely a commercial winner for Tovino and Basil.
Star Rating Breakdown
| Category | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Story | 3.5 |
| Acting | 4.5 |
| Direction | 4 |
| BGM | 4 |
| Visuals | 3.5 |
FAQs
1. Is Athiradi worth watching in theatres?
Yes, 100%. The festival-scale visuals, mass moments, and Tovino-Basil comedy are best experienced on the big screen.
2. Does Athiradi have any songs?
Yes, at least one single — “IYKYK” by Vishnu Vijay — has been released, and the BGM is a highlight.
3. Is Athiradi a family-friendly film?
Yes, it is a clean action-comedy with emotional beats that the whole family will enjoy.
Ratings are purely my take after multiple watches — your experience might differ!
