review

Movie Name : Mandaadi

Release Date : September 10, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Soori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj and Others
Director : Pugazhendhi Mathimaran
Producer : Elred Kumar
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : S. R. Kathiir
Editor : Pradeep E. Ragav

Related Links : Trailer

Mandaadi is the latest Tamil drama to blend competitive sport with raw human emotion. Tamil actor Soori and Telugu actor Suhas play the primary roles in this film, which released in cinemas today. Here is an overview of how this coastal rivalry fares on the big screen.

Story:

Twenty years ago, Muthukaali (Soori) and Sattapuli (Suhas) from Kalingapatnam were thick friends and skilled traditional boat sailors. A bitter fallout shatters their bond, turning the companions into lifelong adversaries who dominate opposite sides of the village. The core narrative traces why Muthukaali abandoned the sport, the roots of Sattapuli’s local hegemony, and the high-stakes boat race that forces them to clash again.

Plus Points:

Tamil cinema explores yet another rural drama grounded in gritty realism. The lives of traditional seafaring communities and their rugged lifestyle are depicted with refreshing authenticity. Furthermore, competitive boat sailing is a rare theme on the big screen, making the sports aspect an immediate asset.

Soori has been making bold acting choices lately, and accepting this nuanced script is easily among his finest decisions. His performance is admirably subtle, allowing heavy emotional restraint and quiet presence to carry the weight. His silence throughout several crucial stretches proves far more impactful than lengthy dialogues.

Suhas proves to be an equally compelling counterpart in an intense antagonist role. Stepping into a menacing gray character is a sharp addition to his versatile filmography. His commanding vocal delivery and fiery screen presence make Sattapuli a magnetic figure to watch.

The psychological friction and war of words between the leads generate solid dramatic tension. The narrative gathers steady momentum through a well-staged exposition, peaking with a gripping pre-interval stretch and an interesting climax. Backed by solid action choreography and an energetic musical score, supporting performances from Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, and Ravindra Vijay anchor the narrative.

Minus Points:

Despite several strong technical and dramatic elements, the narrative falters noticeably during the middle act. While the first half moves with purpose, the second half succumbs to formulaic predictability. The scenes advance on familiar genre beats, gradually dampening the viewing momentum.

The hostility between Soori and Suhas is well-established, yet the writing fails to dig deep into their fractured emotional history. Exploring their lost camaraderie with more emotional depth in the later portions would have lent greater weight to the final showdown. Without that emotional resonance, some of the high-stakes drama feels superficial.

While the boat-racing sequences are neatly mounted, injecting a few more clever narrative twists would have made the competition far more electrifying. In addition, Sathyaraj’s character feels visibly underutilised despite his steady presence in a brief role. A tighter edit and richer secondary conflicts could have elevated these undercooked sequences.

Technical Aspects:

Director and writer Mathimaran Pugazhendhi takes a commendable creative swing with an unconventional sporting backdrop. He succeeds in staging the central rivalry, though his writing falters when sustaining intrigue across the latter half. A tighter, more inventive screenplay could have transformed a decent drama into an exceptional one.

The technical crew provides sturdy support to keep the coastal atmosphere vivid. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score infuses raw momentum into the aquatic action, while SR Kathir’s camera work captures the rugged seascape handsomely. Pradeep E. Ragav’s editing is largely functional despite a few lingering scenes, and the Telugu localisation team ensures seamless dubbing that retains the film’s regional flavour.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mandaadi works in parts, blending a traditional water sport with a clash of pride and ego. Committed performances from Soori and Suhas, energetic boat-racing episodes, and a thunderous score work in its favour. However, the film struggles to maintain the same impact throughout, with a predictable second half and uneven writing holding it back. Some stretches manage to engage, but the film never quite comes together as a consistently compelling watch. Go with expectations in check if you consider watching it.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team