Bollywood’s got its eye on another Malayalam gem. Tharun Moorthy’s 2025 film “Thudarum” pretty much took over the conversation in Indian cinema after dropping on April 25. It started off as a regional release, but word spread fast. Next thing you know, it’s pulling in crowds everywhere, smashing box office records and critics’ expectations. By the time the dust settled, “Thudarum” had raked in over ₹230 crore, one of Malayalam cinema’s best showings ever.

Why “Thudarum” Is Drawing Bollywood Attention?
The story follows “Benz” Shanmugham. He used to be a stunt legend in Malayalam and Tamil films. Now? He’s just driving a taxi, minding his own business until his beloved car gets dragged into a legal mess. That single twist turns his whole world upside down, and suddenly you’re buckled in for a wild ride, mixing survival, justice, and good old vengeance. Mohanlal leads the cast and, honestly, he’s a force. The emotional grounding and raw performances make this more than another crowd-pleaser; they make it stick.

So, why’s Bollywood interested? For starters, the story hits home, no matter where you’re from. Family drama, social injustice, a regular guy fighting a broken system, it’s universal, and that kind of tension pulls people in. Every time. Add a blockbuster box office run to the mix, and you’ve got Hindi producers lining up for remake rights. Plus, Bollywood’s no stranger to picking up South Indian hits and giving them a new spin. “Thudarum” fits that formula to a tee: big moments, strong characters, gray morals, and plenty of suspense.

Ajay Devgn & Tharun Moorthy: Remake Talks in Motion

Word is, conversations have already started. Ajay Devgn, straight from the top of Bollywood’s A-list, is in the mix. His camp and a few others have reached out to Moorthy, though it’s all early days, no official handshake yet. Moorthy did say he thinks Devgn could pull off Benz just right. After all, Ajay’s got stuntman blood, his dad was an action choreographer, and that legacy could make for something special here. Only snag? Moorthy’s own schedule is packed. He admits he might not get a chance to direct the remake himself.

Challenges & What to Watch Out For
Making this work won’t be straightforward, though. Adapting the little details, the family stuff, its particular flavor of social commentary, from Kerala to a Hindi audience is going to take a light touch. And let’s not kid ourselves: fans of the original love Mohanlal’s performance. Matching that, while still keeping it fresh for a new crowd, is no small task. If Moorthy can’t direct and someone else takes over, the movie’s tone might shift, for better or worse.

What This Means for Bollywood & Indian Cinema
Still, if everything clicks into place and Ajay Devgn jumps in, this could be Bollywood’s next big South-to-North crossover. It’d not only show that strong regional stories have legs all over India, but also push Bollywood to dive into grittier, more layered tales. For diehard “Thudarum” fans, it means the story reaches even further. And for the film industry? It’s just more proof that a great story can break through any language barrier.