Asthram (2025 film)
2025 Tamil crime thriller film by Aravind Rajagopal
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Asthram is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by debutant Aravind Rajagopal[1] and co-written along with Jegan M. S, starring Shaam and Niranjani in the lead roles. The film is produced by DSM Dhana Shanmugamani under Best Movies having Nizhalgal Ravi, Aroul D Shankar, Jeeva Ravi, Ranjith DSM and others in supporting roles. Asthram was released in theatres on 21 March 2025.
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- Jegan M. S
- Shaam
- Niranjani
| Asthram | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Aravind Rajagopal |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | DSM Dhana Shanmugamani |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Kalyan Venkatraman |
| Edited by | Bhoopathy Vedhagiri |
| Music by | K.S. Sundaramurthy |
Production company | Best Movies |
| Distributed by | Five Star Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
An inspector on medical leave investigates a pattern of public suicides where victims stab themselves. The case connects to chess players, an ancient book on ritual suicide, and a mysterious figure orchestrating the deaths from the shadows.
Cast
- Shaam as Inspector Akilan
- Niranjani as Priya
- Nizhalgal Ravi as Rudhran
- Aroul D Shankar as SP Rajavelu
- Jeeva Ravi as James
- Ranjith DSM as Vijay
- Videsh Anand as Martin
Production
In early February 2024, through a first look poster, actor Shaam's next project in the lead role titled Asthram was released.[2] The film is directed by debutant Aravind Rajagopal and co-directed Jegan M. S and produced by DSM Dhana Shanmugamani under Best Movies.[3] The film also stars Nizhalgal Ravi, Aroul D Shankar, Jeeva Ravi, Ranjith DSM and others in supporting roles.[4] The technical team consists of Kalyan Venkataraman as the cinematographer, Boopathy as the editor and K.S Sundaramurthy as the music composer.[5]
Principal photography took place for 30 days across Chennai and Kodaikanal and got completed before the announcement.[6][7]
Release
Theatrical
Asthram released in theatres on 21 March 2025.[8] The film was postponed from 7 March 2025 due to inadequate theatre availability as multiple films were releasing on that date.[9][10] Earlier it was scheduled for 21 February 2025 and then pushed to 28 February 2025.[11] Five Star Company acquired the theatrical distribution rights of the film in Tamil Nadu.[12]
Home media
Critical reception
A critic of Dinamalar rated the film 3/5.[14] Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Shaam approaches Akilan with dedication, even as the character remains thinly written. Nira gets screen time as his media-savvy wife, yet contributes only domestic filler. Nizhalgal Ravi brings a measured presence to his role. Asthram leaves its audience in check, with no desire for a rematch."[15] Sreejith Mullappily of Cinema Express gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "The film huffs and puffs its way to a contrived ending, only to later deliver an anticlimactic wink at the camera, a sequel bait. Suffice it to say, this asthram misses the target more than an archer would even with a blindfold from miles apart."[16]
