Mandaadi Movie Review
Movie: Mandaadi
Release Date: 10 Sep 2026
CBFC Rating: UA
Run-time: 2h 34m
Banner: RS Infotainment
Cast: Soori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, Mithun Jai Sankar, Ravindravjay, Bala Saravanan, Stun Siva & Others.
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer: S R Kathir ISC
Editor: Pradeep E Ragav
Producer: Elred Kumar
Writer & Director: Mathimaran Pugazhendhi
Soori, the comedian turned impactful hero after Garudan and Viduthalai, is back to win hearts with Mandaadi directed by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi. The film is special because Telugu actor Suhas is making a powerful entry into Kollywood as the antagonist, creating a huge buzz. Produced by RS Infotainment’s Elred Kumar on a grand scale, Mandaadi promises a rooted, emotional sports drama set against the rarely explored backdrop of sea boat racing.
Plot
Mandaadi revolves around the pride, prestige and passion of the coastal people of Kalingapatnam, where winning the annual boat race is more than a competition, it’s an emotion. Muthukaali (Soori), who is now living a quiet life as a lifeguard at a resort in Hyderabad, is forced to return to his native coastal village. Why did he leave his sea, his people and his dream? What is his deep rooted connection to the boat race? How do Sattapuli (Suhas) his formidable rival, Angel (Mahima Nambiar), Mahesh (Mithun Jai Shankar), Angel’s husband (Ravindra Vijay), and the village elder Munayya (Sathyaraj) change his destiny? The journey from Hyderabad’s resort to Kalingapatnam’s turbulent sea forms the core.
Performances
This is Soori’s show all the way and he delivers a career best performance. He effortlessly carries the rustic innocence, silent pain and fiery determination of Muthukaali. His body language as a fisherman, his eyes that speak volumes during emotional scenes, and his transformation during the boat races are simply outstanding.
Suhas is a revelation and a major pillar for the film. Making his Kollywood debut, he is impactful, intense and terrifying in a subtle way. His silent fear inducing act, his natural dialogue delivery and his powerful screen presence opposite Soori create electrifying scenes.
Mahima Nambiar as Angel brings grace and strength. She is not just a heroine but the emotional anchor of the story, performing with a lot of maturity in a de glam yet powerful role. Sathyaraj is excellent in a pivotal role that holds the village’s emotion, while Ravindra Vijay is decent and convincing. Mithun Jai Shankar and the rest of the ensemble fit perfectly into the coastal milieu.
Rating – 3.5/5 #Mandaadi Is A Tremendously Visualised Sports Drama With High Emotions !! The Leads #Soori & #Suhas Have To Be Appreciated For Their Top Notch Performances & Dedication , Unbelievable Passion To Pull Off This Mind Blowing Film . @Mahima_Nambiar… pic.twitter.com/a6Coqiqf01
— BA Raju’s Team (@baraju_SuperHit) September 10, 2026
Highlights
Soori, Suhas Stellar Performances
Riveting Boat Races
Rich Visuals
Powerful Music
Drawbacks
Extended Runtime
Choppy Editing
Analysis
The first half beautifully establishes the world of Kalingapatnam, its culture, its people and the high stakes prestige of boat racing. Director Mathimaran takes his time to build the friendship, love, and betrayal tracks with authenticity, and the interval block hits hard with a solid emotional high. The second half elevates the drama to a completely different level. The emotions become more powerful, the rivalry between Soori and Suhas intensifies, and the boat race episodes are staged with nail biting tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
On the technical front, the making values are top notch. SR Kathir’s cinematography is breathtaking, he captures both the rustic beauty of the village and the raw fury of the sea with grandeur. The fight masters Peter Hein, Dhilip Subbarayan and Mahesh Mathew have choreographed the boat race and action blocks brilliantly, making them look authentic and adrenaline filled. GV Prakash Kumar’s background score is a big asset, elevating every emotional and race sequence. Production values by RS Infotainment are rich. While the runtime feels a bit stretched towards the end and Telugu CG work in a couple of sea shots and editing could have been crisper, these are minor in front of the experience Mandaadi offers. Overall, Mandaadi is a heartwarming, honest sports emotional drama that sails high.
Rating: 3.5/5
Bottom-line: An Adrenaline Emotional Sports Ride
