# Thudakkam review: Vismaya Mohanlal debut undermined by cameo, male lens 2026-08-07T16:10:19+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Jude Anthany Joseph's Thudakkam, starring Vismaya Mohanlal as Meenu, a young woman who uses martial arts to fight a stalker and killer, has drawn mixed reviews. Both The News Minute and Cinema Express criticise the film for placing the burden of self-defence entirely on women without addressing root causes of violence. The News Minute says the film's obsession with Meenu's self-reliance undercuts its empowerment message, while Cinema Express calls the messaging 'dated'. Both reviewers note that Mohanlal's extended cameo, added late on his suggestion, overpowers Vismaya's role. Cinema Express praises Aashish Joe Antony's performance as the villain but says the writing stays peripheral. Vismaya's stunt work is commended, though her emotional acting is called uneven. ## Coverage - thenewsminute.com - cinemaexpress.com Tags: film review, Jude Anthany Joseph, Malayalam cinema, Thudakkam, Vismaya Mohanlal, women empowerment Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/thudakkam-review-jude-anthany-josephs-film-undermines-its-own-heroine/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/thudakkam-review-jude-anthany-josephs-film-undermines-its-own-heroine/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.