Now he’s back with “Retro”, a much-anticipated collaboration with acclaimed director Karthik Subbaraj.

Boasting an impressive lineup including Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Prakash Raj, and Jayaram, the makers kept the hype alive with a steady stream of looks, teasers and songs: Suriya clad in black, sporting a goatee, wielding a gun, breaking into song in prison. Speculation among fans ran wild, but the team stayed mum about the actual plot.

Produced by Stone Bench Creations and 2D Entertainment, “Retro” transports viewers to the roaring 1980s. The story follows Paarivel “Paari” Kannan (Suriya), an orphan raised by gangster Thilakan (Joju George), who’s ready to leave his life of crime to marry his veterinarian girlfriend, Rukmini (Pooja Hegde).

But things go south fast when Thilakan crashes their wedding, furious over a stolen stash called the “goldfish”. After a violent turn of events, Paari ends up in jail, and Rukmini disappears. Years later, Paari tracks her to a remote island near the Andamans, now home to a cult ruled by a tyrant and his son.

What starts as a classic tale of love and redemption quickly morphs into something much deeper, with Paari confronting his true life’s purpose. Director Karthik’s signature storytelling shines, weaving together action, romance, humour and heroism before delivering a satisfying – and surprising – payoff.

The retro vibe takes centre stage, with the film divided into chapters like “Love”, “Laughter”, “War”, and “Cult”. But beneath the vintage look, “Retro” explores heavy themes: deep-seated trauma, the morality of violence, even the idea of modern-day slavery.

Suriya’s portrayal of Paari is raw and vulnerable. His character has an intriguing trait: being unable to smile since childhood. In one standout scene, Paari struggles to force a grin in front of a mirror – reminiscent of “Joker”, but with the actor’s own unique edge.

As for Pooja, this may well be her standout performance yet – not to mention her first time dubbing her own voice for Tamil cinema. Her Rukmini is a sharp contrast to Paari: calm, peace-loving, and likened to the Buddha, refusing violence even when danger looms.

Meanwhile, Paari is framed as a Lord Krishna-like figure, where war becomes a necessary path to justice.

Most of the supporting cast pull their weight, including Vidhu, a relatively unknown face, who makes an impression as the unhinged cult leader Michael Mirasu. Jayaram, as laughter therapist Dr Chaplin, once again shows off his comic chops, bringing some much-needed lightness to the story.

One of the film’s standout moments? A 15-minute single-take sequence during the song “Kanimaa”, which seamlessly shifts from dance to a heated argument to a full-blown action scene – before circling back to dance and ending in a jaw-dropping moment.

If you caught Marvel’s “Thunderbolts”, here’s a fun fact: “Retro” actually serves up more action than that superhero flick! Suriya is constantly in combat mode, taking down baddies with kung fu-style moves that often include wielding his signature twin sticks.

Surprisingly enough, the final act delivers no action despite all the built-up intensity. This might sound anticlimactic but it’s a bold choice: a resolution without violence – one that might even have the whole theatre laughing.

And while the film lets Suriya shine, it’s not another Tamil movie filled with references to the actor’s earlier hits. “Retro” is layered with rich ideologies that respect the audience’s intelligence.

Overall, this is an engaging watch. Does the story take a few winding detours? Absolutely, but it still keeps you hooked from start to finish. It may not be a game-changer for Tamil cinema, but it’s a solid, satisfying ride, especially for Suriya fans.

As of press time, ‘Retro’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.