Athiradi Twitter Review: 11 tweets to read before watching Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph’s action comedy film

Athiradi, starring Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas in the lead roles, was released in theatres on May 14, 2026, with premiere shows held on May 13. As the action-comedy hit the big screens, audiences took to social media to share their reactions.

Athiradi Twitter Review

One social media user stated that despite the massive hype surrounding Athiradi, the film turned out to be a complete disappointment. The viewer criticized its cringeworthy scenes, weak storyline, outdated presentation, and described it as a “flop and cringe fest.”

Another netizen shared that the film was an “absolute blast” for them and felt that watching it without huge expectations from the trailer may have enhanced the experience. The viewer added that, apart from a few minor flaws, the movie worked well as an entertainer. They also praised the performances of Tovino Thomas, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Basil Joseph, while highlighting a special cameo appearance that reportedly made theatres erupt with excitement.

Meanwhile, a third viewer described Athiradi as a “pure theatre blast,” saying the film appeared to be a perfect blend of madness, action, entertainment, and strong performances. The user particularly appreciated the onscreen combination of Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas, adding that Malayalam cinema seemed to be gearing up for another major crowd-puller.

Additionally, a fourth user pointed out that Malayalam cinema had delivered both Mohiniyattam and Athiradi within a month. The viewer contrasted the two films by saying one relied heavily on references with little impact, while the other used limited references more effectively. The user concluded that the contrast reflected “talent vs thattikkoottu,” adding that Mohiniyattam was among the best recent Malayalam films.

Here are the reactions:

More about Athiradi

Athiradi follows the story of Samkutty, an enthusiastic and overzealous college student who falls in love with his classmate. As time passes, he becomes popular among his peers and decides to revive a long-banned college festival.

However, the festival had been banned years earlier due to the involvement of Sreekuttan Vellayani, a local goon and aspiring singer. As the festival return update spreads, Samkutty and Sreekuttan become entangled in a fiery rivalry that eventually leads to an all-out clash. The film explores the conflict between the two, along with the backstory behind the festival’s ban.

Apart from Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph, the film also features Vineeth Sreenivasan, Riya Shibu, Shaan Rahman, Darshana Rajendran, and Zarin Shihab in key roles.

ALSO READ: Athiradi Review: Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph’s Gen Z-coded ego clash is a one-time entertainer