Thoranai (2009) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Thoranai (2009) Review
Thoranai (2009) (Tamil action, drama, romance) — directed by Sabha Ayyappan. Starring Vishal Krishna, Shriya Saran, Prakash Raj. A man comes to Chennai with a mission to find his brother, who had run away from his house about two decades ago. But a series of events make them both a part of unexpected happenings. Our Rating: 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 29 May 2009. Runtime: 2h 39m.

Thoranai(2009)
Tamil · Action, Drama, Romance
2h 39m · 29 May 2009
Music: Mani Sharma | DOP: Priyan | Writer: Mohan Nair, Shashank Vennelakanti
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
📖 Story
Thoranai is an action-drama centered around the rivalry between two families and the ensuing conflicts that arise when Vishal's character gets entangled in this feud. The story unfolds with a mix of family sentiments, action sequences, and romance, as the protagonist tries to resolve misunderstandings and bring peace between the warring factions.
Thoranai attempts to blend action and family drama with a commercial masala template. The story is straightforward but suffers from predictability and lacks depth in character development. The screenplay is uneven, with the first half focusing on setting up the conflict and characters, which moves at a moderate pace but feels somewhat dragged due to excessive exposition.
The second half picks up pace with more action and confrontations, providing some engaging moments, but the climax feels rushed and lacks emotional impact. The songs composed by Mani Sharma are situational and blend well with the narrative, though none stand out as particularly memorable. The background score supports the action sequences adequately but does not elevate the overall mood significantly.
Cinematography by Priyan captures the rural and urban settings effectively, adding to the film's visual appeal. However, the film's overall impact is diluted by a formulaic approach and lack of novelty in storytelling. Despite these shortcomings, the performances, especially by Vishal and Prakash Raj, add some weight to the proceedings.
Vishal Krishna: Energetic and convincing as the protagonist, carrying the action sequences well.
Shriya Saran: Adequate, with limited scope for performance in a largely male-centric narrative.
Prakash Raj: Strong presence and effective in the antagonist role, adding intensity to the conflict.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Strong performances by lead actors
- ✓Engaging action sequences
- ✓Effective cinematography capturing diverse settings
- ✓Music and songs fitting the narrative
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable and formulaic story
- ✕Uneven screenplay and pacing
- ✕Lack of emotional depth in second half
- ✕Climax feels rushed and underwhelming
🎬 Direction & Writing
Sabha Ayyappan's direction is competent but fails to bring freshness to the familiar storyline. The writing lacks subtlety and relies heavily on clichés, which affects the film's overall impact.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 4.2 | |
| 2.9 | |
| 0 | |
| 44 | |
| 44 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics generally pointed out the film's routine plot and lack of innovation, though performances and action sequences were appreciated. The film received mixed reviews with criticism focused on its screenplay and pacing.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Thoranai release in theatres?▾
Thoranai released on 29 May 2009 (2009).
Is Thoranai a hit or flop?▾
Thoranai is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Where to watch Thoranai online? OTT release date?▾
Thoranai is available on Sun NXT, MX Player, YouTube, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Thoranai?▾
Thoranai directed by Sabha Ayyappan. Produced by Sriya Reddy, Vikram Krishna.
Who are the main cast members of Thoranai?▾
Thoranai stars Vishal Krishna, Shriya Saran, Prakash Raj, Nixon S, Pandiarajan.
What is the Tollybo rating for Thoranai?▾
Tollybo rates Thoranai 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Thoranai?▾
Music for Thoranai composed by Mani Sharma.
What is the genre and runtime of Thoranai?▾
Thoranai — Genre: Action, Drama, Romance, Runtime: 159 minutes, Language: Tamil.
