Paranthu Po

Paranthu Po (transl. Fly Away) is an 2025 Indian Tamil-language road musical comedy film written, directed and co-produced by Ram under his banner Seven Seas and Seven Hills Productions along with JioHotstar and GKS Bros Productions.^[1] The film stars Shiva and Mithul Ryan in the lead roles alongside Grace Antony, Anjali, Vijay Yesudas, Aju Varghese and others in important roles.

The music and background score was composed by Santhosh Dhayanidhi and Yuvan Shankar Raja, while the cinematography and editing were handled by N. K. Ekambaram and Mathi V. S. respectively. The film was extensively shot in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Paranthu Po was screened on 4 February 2025 in the International Film Festival Rotterdam and it had its theatrical release on 4 July 2025. The film received positive reviews from critics.

Anbu, an 8-year-old, city-bred boy is notorious, sporty, and energetic, rightfully to his age, as his parents Gokul and Glory strive to give the best to him. They are your average upper-middle-class family who wants to make their big ends meet with their EMIs, strive hard day and night so their children can afford a life of comfort, and have their own quirks and shortcomings. But a day of adventure waits for Gokul and Anbu as the latter antics and childishness land the duo in a path that is filled with sunflowers, good hearts, and some healthy portions of lies and hill climbing.

• Shiva as Gokul, Anbu's father
• Grace Antony as Glory, Gokul's wife and Anbu's mother
• Anjali as Vanitha, Gokul's childhood crush
• Mithul Ryan as Anbu
• Vijay Yesudas as Jenna's father
• Aju Varghese as Guna Sekhar, Vanitha's husband
• Jess Kukku as Jenna
• Dia as Jenna's mother
• Balaji Sakthivel as Gokul's father
• Sreeja Ravi as Gokul's mother
• Tejaaswini as Anbu's Friend (Football player)

Began production in 2023, Ram's next directorial venture's title Paranthu Po was revealed in mid-January 2025 starring Shiva and Mithul Ryan in the lead roles^[2] alongside Anjali, Grace Antony, Vijay Yesudas, Aju Varghese and others in important roles.^[3] The film marks the Tamil debut of both Aju Varghese and Grace Antony.^[4] The film is produced Seven Seas and Seven Hills Productions, GKS Bros Productions and presented by JioHotstar.^[5] The film has cinematography handled by N. K. Ekambaram, while the editing is handled by Mathi V. S.

The soundtrack is composed by Santhosh Dhayanidhi in his maiden collaboration with Ram,^[6] while Ram's regular collaborator Yuvan Shankar Raja will score the background for the film.^[7] The album consists of 23 songs.^[8] The first single titled "Sunflower" was released on 23 May 2025.^[9] The second single "Daddy Romba Paavam" was released on 16 June 2025.^[10] The third single "Kashtam Vandhaa" was released on 24 June 2025.^[11]

Paranthu Po was premiered on 4 February 2025 at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025 under the Limelight section.^[12][13]

Paranthu Po is scheduled for a theatrical release on 4 July 2025, while the worldwide theatrical rights have been acquired by Romeo Pictures.^[14]

Paranthu Po is set to be released in theaters followed by online streaming on JioHotstar, while the date is yet to be announced.^[15] The satellite rights were acquired by Vijay TV and Colors Tamil.

Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "Paranthu Po finds its rhythm in life's unplanned detours. It's a film that understands how the smallest adventures can leave the biggest impressions, especially when viewed through a child's insistent eyes and filtered through a father's weary but willing heart".^[16] Anusha Sundar of OTTplay gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "There is a lot to like in the film, which is light, interesting, adventurous, beautiful, has food for thought, but moreover brims with innocence. The film, much like its title, wants you to fly away for a moment, to shed the manmade constraints built by the society, and take a breather to feel life. But if that sounds a little more tedious, then watch Paranthu Po and taste life once again".^[17] Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "And when finally, the film ends with a conversation about home, family, parenting, loving, and being loved, you understand what Paranthu Po truly means. It isn't to fly away from responsibility or consumerism or globalisation or troubles or bottled emotions, or even crumbling aspirations. It is to fly away from the pressure of fitting in. It is to fly away to a land of hope on a tourist visa. Yes, we have to return to a sobering reality, but it is not wrong to escape into a world of happiness, hope, and goodness. Just like the movies... Like Ram's movies".^[18]

Janani K of India Today gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "‘Paranthu Po’ is a beautiful documentation of a cute little family with important lessons on parenting, self-discovery and the importance of pausing and looking at your life instead of giving into the rat race".^[19]

• Paranthu Po at IMDb