Retro (2025): A Romantic, Action and Nostalgic Mix.

 Retro is a 2025 Tamil romantic action film, which is a mix of love, laughter and war and is directed by Karthik Subbaraj. Starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde, the film is the story of Paarivel “Paari” Kannan, an orphan brought up by a gangster who is out to confront betrayal and a violent cult in his quest for his true origins and reuniting with his lost love, Rukmini. 

Cast and Crew

• Director: Karthik Subbaraj
• Lead Actors: Suriya (Paari), Pooja Hegde (Rukmini)
• Music Composer: Santhosh Narayanan
• Cinematographer: Shreyaas Krishna
• Editor: Shafique Mohamed Ali
• Producers: Jyothika, Suriya, Karthekeyan Santhanam, Rajsekar Pandian

Plot Overview

Retro plays out against a mosaic of backgrounds, which include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ooty, Kerala and Chennai, and tells the story of Paari, who goes in search of his past and his destiny fulfilling a prophecy. His journey is full of hurdles such as the encounters with a violent cult and the complications of reigniting a lost romance. The movie ties together the theme of identity, destiny and the eternal power of love.

Critical Reception

Reacting positively after its release on May 1 2025, Retro was met with general positive reviews. Critics praised the powerful delivery by Suriya and the technical quality of the film especially in its cinematography and musical score. However, some observed a difference between the film’s promotional image as a full-fledged romance and the way in which it is played, with some emphasis laid on action and drama. 

Box Office Performance

With a production cost estimated in the range of ₹65–70 crore, Retro enjoyed major commercial success. The film made ₹104 crore worldwide by May 8, 2025, which made it one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year. Its huge box office numbers on the first day and audience persistence make it a widely appealing concept. 

Conclusion

Retro is set apart as a cinematic experience that fuses nostalgic elements with modern storytelling. Its combination of romance, action, and emotional depth, along with excellent performances and high production values, makes it a relevant movie to the Tamil cinema of 2025.