Tamil Movie ‘Retro’ Review, Public Response and Box Office Collections

Tamil cinema welcomes a thrilling new addition as ‘Retro’ makes its grand debut in theaters worldwide on May 1, 2025.

Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film blends romance, action, and suspense, promising audiences an unforgettable cinematic experience. Starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde, ‘Retro’ was released in 1,200 screens globally, marking one of the biggest Tamil film releases of the year.

‘Retro’ Plot: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Redemption

Set in 1960s Thoothukudi, ‘Retro’ follows the journey of Paarivel “Paari” Kannan, an orphan raised by a gangster’s wife, Sandhya. Despite her love, her husband Thilagan refuses to acknowledge Paari as his own. After Sandhya’s death, Paari earns Thilagan’s reluctant respect by saving him from an ambush.

By 1982, Thilagan remarries and has a biological son, further complicating Paari’s place in the family. Meanwhile, Paari reunites with Rukmini, a veterinarian, and falls deeply in love. After four years of courtship, they plan to marry. However, at their wedding, Paari announces his decision to leave the criminal world, triggering a violent confrontation.

Thilagan accuses Paari of sabotaging a high-stakes arms deal, code-named “Gold Fish”, involving weapons smuggled for a prime ministerial candidate. Paari admits guilt but refuses to reveal the location of the cache. Enraged, Thilagan attempts to kill Rukmini, but Paari retaliates, severing his hand in the process. He is immediately arrested and imprisoned. Heartbroken by his return to violence, Rukmini leaves him.

Years later, Paari is released and discovers that Dharman, the politician involved in the arms deal, has risen to power. He also learns that Rukmini has been forced into hiding due to threats from Dharman’s men. Determined to protect her and expose the truth, Paari embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve the hidden weapons and dismantle Dharman’s empire.

‘Retro’ Public response

Star-Studded Cast of ‘Retro’

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring:

• Suriya as Paarivel “Paari” Kannan
• Pooja Hegde as Rukmini
• Joju George as Paari’s father
• Prakash Raj, Nassar, and Jayaram in pivotal roles
• Shriya Saran in a special dance cameo

Where to Watch ‘Retro’ After Theatrical Release

Following its theatrical run, ‘Retro’ will be available on Netflix for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada audiences. The Hindi version will be released on Sun TV, ensuring a wider reach for fans eager to experience the film from the comfort of their homes.

Box – office collections

has made a strong start at the box office. The film earned ₹19.25 crore on its opening day, with the Tamil version contributing ₹17.25 crore.

Despite a slight dip on Day 2, the film still managed to collect ₹7.85 crore, bringing its total two-day collection to ₹27.10 crore.

Industry experts predict that ‘Retro’ could cross the ₹50 crore mark by the end of its opening weekend, thanks to positive word-of-mouth and Suriya’s star power.

The film’s strong occupancy rates, particularly in Tamil Nadu, indicate sustained audience interest, with evening shows seeing the highest turnout.

With a budget of ₹65 crore, ‘Retro’ is expected to perform well in the long run, especially with its Netflix streaming deal ensuring a wider digital reach after its theatrical run.