Asthram

An inspector on medical leave investigates a pattern of public suicides where victims stab themselves. The case connects to chess players, an ancient book on ritual suicide, and a mysterious figure orchestrating the deaths from the shadows. In early February 2024, through a first look poster, actor next project in the lead role titled was released. The film is directed by debutant Aravind Rajagopal and co-directed Jegan M. S and produced by DSM Dhana Shanmugamani under Best Movies. The film also stars , Aroul D Shankar, , Ranjith DSM and others in supporting roles. The technical team consists of Kalyan Venkataraman as the cinematographer, Boopathy as the editor and K.S Sundaramurthy as the music composer. took place for 30 days across and and got completed before the announcement. released in theatres on 21 March 2025. The film was postponed from 7 March 2025 due to inadequate theatre availability as multiple films were releasing on that date. Earlier it was scheduled for 21 February 2025 and then pushed to 28 February 2025. Five Star Company acquired the theatrical distribution rights of the film in Tamil Nadu. premiered on on 9 May 2025. A critic of rated the film 3/5. Abhinav Subramanian of gave 2/5 stars and wrote “Shaam approaches Akilan with dedication, even as the character remains thinly written. Nira gets screen time as his media-savvy wife, yet contributes only domestic filler. Nizhalgal Ravi brings a measured presence to his role. Asthram leaves its audience in check, with no desire for a rematch.” Sreejith Mullappily of gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote “The film huffs and puffs its way to a contrived ending, only to later deliver an anticlimactic wink at the camera, a sequel bait. Suffice it to say, this misses the target more than an archer would even with a blindfold from miles apart.”