The Times of India
May 13, 2026, 11:53 PM IST
4.0
Campus movies have always held a special charm. The vibe, chaos, friendships, celebrations, and youthful energy instantly transport many back to some of the most memorable days of their lives. Athiradi taps beautifully into that nostalgia, blending humour, emotions, music, and mass entertainment into a thoroughly enjoyable fun-filled package.Set inside an engineering college campus, the film follows Sam, played by Basil Joseph, a typical Gen Z youngster constantly underestimated by everyone around him. His dream is to revive a college fest that was shut down years ago following an unfortunate incident. At first glance, Sam appears directionless, as his father jokingly describes him, “a bus without an engine.” But beneath the carefree attitude lies determination, emotion, and a spark that slowly unfolds through the narrative.The film strongly connects with an entire generation often labelled as hopeless, lazy, irresponsible, confused, or commitment-phobic by society. As the story progresses, Athiradi gently reminds us that today’s generation may simply be finding life in their own way.Running parallel is Kuttan, portrayed brilliantly by Tovino Thomas, a retired goon trying to rebuild his life through his first musical performance by forming a local troupe for a temple festival. When Sam’s ambitions and Kuttan’s dreams collide, the film transforms into an entertaining rollercoaster packed with hilarious confrontations, emotional moments, and crowd-pleasing chaos.Both Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph deliver highly engaging performances with effortless comic timing and emotional depth. Tovino’s Kuttan will easily become one of his most celebrated comic roles, revealing a completely different shade of the actor. Basil, on the other hand, once again proves why he remains one of the most relatable performers among today’s younger actors.Adding more fun are appearances by Vineeth Sreenivasan and Shaan Rahman as themselves, creating several laugh-out-loud moments. Jeo Baby too steals scenes as a caricatured police officer, contributing heavily to the film’s situational comedy charm.Technically too, the film works well. Samuel Henry’s cinematography beautifully captures the vibrant campus atmosphere and festival spirit, while Chamman Chacko’s editing keeps the pace energetic throughout. Vishnu Vijay’s music elevates the celebratory mood of the film, supported effectively by Akhil Damodhar’s art direction and Mashar Hamsa’s costumes.Director Arun Anirudhan, known for co-writing Minnal Murali, makes an impressive debut filled with confidence and swagger. Written alongside Paulson Skaria, the film may not offer a completely fresh storyline. Campus politics, festivals, gang clashes, and friendship dramas are familiar territory. However, what makes Athiradi work is its energy, humour, emotional connect, and unapologetic entertainment value.At the same time, the film does have its limitations. Athiradi heavily revolves around male friendships and male emotions, leaving actresses like Zarin Shihab and Riya Shibu with very little to do beyond supporting the heroes. Stronger female characters and more emotional layering could have elevated the film further.Still, despite its familiar setup, Athiradi turns out to be one of the most enjoyable entertainers in recent times — a colourful, laughter-filled celebration of youth, friendship, dreams, and second chances.-Anjana George
