Last updated: 24 Apr 2026


Tamil · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 38m · 18 Jun 2021
Music: Santhosh Narayanan | DOP: Shreyaas Krishna | Writer: Karthik Subbaraj
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Jagame Thandhiram follows the story of Suruli, a carefree gangster from Madurai who gets embroiled in a conflict involving a London-based gangster syndicate. As Suruli navigates the criminal underworld in a foreign land, the film explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the immigrant experience. The narrative weaves action and drama with moments of dark humor, culminating in a story about finding one's place in a complex world.
Jagame Thandhiram is a visually striking film that blends Karthik Subbaraj's signature style with a gritty gangster narrative. The screenplay attempts to balance intense action sequences with emotional depth, though the pacing fluctuates, with a stronger first half that effectively sets up the characters and stakes. The second half, while ambitious, tends to meander and lose some narrative focus, impacting the overall momentum.
The film's music by Santhosh Narayanan stands out, with songs that complement the mood and setting, while the background score effectively heightens tension during key moments. Cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna captures the contrasting atmospheres of Madurai and London, adding a rich visual texture to the film. However, some viewers found the tonal shifts and sprawling narrative challenging to fully engage with.
Overall, Jagame Thandhiram is a bold attempt at a cross-cultural gangster saga that offers strong performances and technical finesse, but its uneven screenplay and pacing prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Dhanush: Dhanush delivers a charismatic and nuanced performance as Suruli, effortlessly balancing the character's rough edges with moments of vulnerability.
James Cosmo: James Cosmo brings gravitas to his role as the London gangster, providing a compelling antagonist presence.
Joju George: Joju George impresses with a layered portrayal of a conflicted character caught between loyalty and survival.
Aishwarya Lekshmi: Aishwarya Lekshmi offers a restrained yet impactful performance, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Karthik Subbaraj's direction showcases his flair for stylish storytelling and complex characters. His writing ambitiously tackles themes of identity and belonging, though the screenplay occasionally suffers from lack of focus, especially in the latter half. Nonetheless, his vision brings a fresh perspective to the gangster genre.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics praised Dhanush's performance, the film's music, and visual style, but pointed out the uneven pacing and convoluted narrative as drawbacks. The film received mixed to positive reviews overall.
Final Box-Office Result
Jagame Thandhiram released on 18 June 2021 (2021).
Jagame Thandhiram is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Jagame Thandhiram is available on Netflix, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads from 18 June 2021.
Jagame Thandhiram directed by Karthik Subbaraj. Produced by S. Sashikanth.
Jagame Thandhiram stars Dhanush, James Cosmo, Joju George, Kalaiyarasan, Aishwarya Lekshmi.
Tollybo rates Jagame Thandhiram 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Music for Jagame Thandhiram composed by Santhosh Narayanan.
Jagame Thandhiram — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 158 minutes, Language: Tamil.