Athiradi (2026) Review: Campus Chaos With Star Power

This Athiradi review covers Arun Anirudhan's Malayalam action comedy, a loud and cheerful campus romp led by Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas. It marks the director's debut, and it aims squarely at crowds who want laughs, noise and star power. Here is what works, what doesn't and whether it deserves your evening.

Athiradi Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Athiradi plot starts on a college campus where Samkutty, nicknamed "SamBoy" and played by Basil Joseph, is bursting with energy. He decides to bring back a festival that has been banned. That choice stirs up a rivalry nobody saw coming.

What should be a celebration quickly slides into chaos. The film mixes action, comedy and drama as the conflict grows. I will leave the rest for you to discover, because the fun lies in watching the mess escalate.

The film is written by Arun Anirudhan and Paulson Skaria. It runs about 157 minutes, which is long for a campus comedy.

What Works in Athiradi

The biggest strength is atmosphere. The Hindu) is not the source here, but critics such as Nainu Oommen of The Hindu noted that the film consistently draws laughs if you catch its references, and that it recreates the buzz of a noisy college fete. That energy carries many scenes.

The comedy leans on in-jokes and pop-culture nods. Viewers who follow Malayalam cinema will get the most out of it. The action sits inside the humour rather than fighting it, which suits the genre.

Fans of comedy movie reviews will recognise the loose, gag-first rhythm. If you prefer your fights bigger, our action movie reviews cover heavier options.

Athiradi Cast and Performances

The Athiradi cast is the main draw. Basil Joseph plays Samkutty, and Tovino Thomas appears as Sreekuttan "Kuttan" Vellayani. Vineeth Sreenivasan plays himself, Vishnu Agasthya is Joseph Oommen, Riya Shibu plays Swathy R Krishna, and Zarin Shihab appears as Varada, Kuttan's wife.

Tovino Thomas steals the show

Rediff's Sreeju Sudhakaran called Tovino's turn a blast. He enters relatively late, yet he commands the screen with sheer presence. That late arrival gives the film a fresh jolt just when it needs one.

Basil Joseph as the engine

Basil carries the early going with restless, goofy charm. The ego clash between the leads has a Gen Z flavour that some reviewers found fun but disposable.

Where Athiradi Stumbles

Critical reaction is mixed. The Indian Express gave the film 2 out of 5, while Rediff gave it 3 out of 5. One review called the lead pairing's clash a one-time entertainer, and that feels fair.

At 157 minutes, the film can sag. A thin premise stretched over a long runtime leaves some jokes repeating. Viewers who do not know the references may feel left out.

Online scores are also tiny so far. TMDB shows 6.5 out of 10 from only 17 votes, so treat any number with caution.

Is Athiradi Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a lively, silly night out and you enjoy Malayalam star vehicles. Is Athiradi worth watching for everyone? Not quite, because its appeal depends on tolerance for noise and in-jokes.

The Athiradi release date in India is reported as 14 May 2026 by IMDb and Wikipedia, though another source lists 22 May 2026. I could not confirm streaming details, so check local listings for where to watch Athiradi.

As a debut, Arun Anirudhan's direction shows plenty of enthusiasm, if not much restraint. The film is best seen as a crowd-pleaser rather than a polished comedy.

Who Will Enjoy Athiradi

• Fans of Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas who want to see them share the screen.

• Viewers who like loud campus comedies packed with references and light action.

• Audiences after an easygoing group outing, not a tightly plotted film.