Vismaya Mohanlal’s debut film Thudakkam is finally making its way to streaming, giving everyone who missed it in theatres a proper chance to catch up. The action thriller arrives on JioHotstar from September 18, 2026, a little over a month after its theatrical release on August 7.
When and Where to Watch
The makers confirmed Thudakkam’s digital premiere through JioHotstar’s official social media handle, simply stating that Vismaya Mohanlal’s Thudakkam will begin streaming from September 18.
If you’re planning your watchlist for the days ahead, this pairs nicely with a few other big streaming premieres landing around the same window. Zakir Khan’s new special is also worth adding to that list, and here’s when to catch Papa Yaar on Netflix if you haven’t already marked your calendar.
What’s the Story?
Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, Thudakkam follows Meenu, a young woman trained in martial arts whose life takes a sudden, dangerous turn. It all starts with something fairly small: she helps two schoolgirls get home safely.
But that simple act of kindness ends up putting her on the radar of a dangerous stalker, and from there, the film shifts into a tense, action-driven story about survival and resilience.
The narrative doesn’t stop at just being a straightforward action thriller either. It also touches on how society responds to crimes against women, giving the film a bit more emotional weight beyond its fight sequences. Meenu’s martial arts training becomes central to how she fights back, and the film blends drama with genuinely well-executed action to tell her story.
Related Article: King Release Date
The Cast and Crew
Vismaya Mohanlal leads the film in her debut role, marking her official entry into Malayalam cinema. The supporting cast includes Aashish Joe Antony, Sai Kumar, Bobby Kurian, Manoj K. Jayan, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Miya George, Chippy Renjith, Kottayam Ramesh and Jaffar Idukki. Mohanlal himself appears in a special cameo, adding a notable presence to his daughter’s first big film.
Jude Anthany Joseph both directed the film and contributed to the writing, alongside Akhil Krishna and Linish Nellikkal. Antony Perumbavoor produced Thudakkam under Aashirvad Cinemas. Behind the camera, Jomon T. John handled cinematography, Chaman Chakko edited the film, and Jakes Bejoy composed the music.
Santhosh Raman worked as production designer, Vishnu Govind handled sound design, and Arun Manohar took care of costumes. The action choreography, a fairly important piece given the film’s genre, was handled by Yannick Ben and Stunt Silva, while Mindstein Studios and Trilok managed the visual effects.
How the Film Was Received
Thudakkam picked up a mixed-to-positive response following its theatrical run, with audiences and critics generally appreciating the performances and the action-driven storytelling. That said, not everything landed perfectly.
Some reviewers felt Mohanlal’s cameo leaned a bit too heavily into fan service, with lines like “Make your father proud” feeling more like a crowd-pleasing moment than something that genuinely served the story. A quieter approach, similar to a brief scene where Meenu recalls her father mid-fight, was seen as something that would have worked better emotionally.
The film also weaves in a few lighter touches along the way, including football references like a dog named Messi and a villain associated with Liverpool, alongside a more serious undercurrent involving drug abuse.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re into action thrillers with a strong emotional core and enjoy watching a new performer make a confident debut, Thudakkam looks like a solid pick.
Between Vismaya Mohanlal’s introduction to Malayalam cinema, a story that tackles more than just action, and Mohanlal’s cameo adding an extra layer of interest, it’s easy to see why the film has generated this much attention heading into its OTT release.
Thudakkam streams on JioHotstar from September 18, 2026.