Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Cast: Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram, Vidhu
Retro is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action-romance film directed by Karthik Subbaraj, starring Suriya and Pooja Hegde. Streaming on Netflix, this 162-minute feature weaves together violence, loyalty, and the weight of a man's origins as he tries to outrun who he was raised to be.
What is Retro about?
Paarivel Kannan grew up in the shadow of a criminal father, shaped by a world of brutality he never chose. Determined to break that cycle, he walks away from everything familiar and carves out a peaceful existence alongside the woman he loves, Rukmini. Their life together feels like an escape — quiet, ordinary, and earned. Yet the violence embedded in Paarivel's past refuses to stay buried. Old ties, old enemies, and the sins of his upbringing begin closing in, threatening the fragile life he has built. Paarivel must confront whether a man defined by his origins can ever truly become someone new, or whether the past will always find a way back.
Cast & crew
Director Karthik Subbaraj is known for stylized Tamil crime cinema that blends sharp action with emotional storytelling. Suriya, one of Tamil cinema's most bankable leading men, plays Paarivel Kannan with physicality and depth. Pooja Hegde brings warmth to Rukmini. The supporting cast includes Joju George, Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj — a formidable ensemble of South Indian character actors who anchor the film's dramatic weight.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking audiences in the diaspora, Retro arrives as part of a growing appreciation for South Indian cinema that reaches beyond Bollywood. Stories about men caught between inherited violence and the desire for a peaceful, chosen life resonate strongly with viewers who themselves have navigated displacement and reinvention. The film's themes of family loyalty, moral escape, and the cost of a new beginning speak to experiences that cross cultural borders. Retro is available on K-Time with Persian dubbing, making it fully accessible without needing to follow subtitles — ideal for evenings with family or anyone who prefers the story in their own language.
Where & how to watch
Retro is available on K-Time with Persian dubbing. Watch directly in your browser, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Subscription is month-to-month; cancel anytime.