Sumo (film)

2025 Tamil film by SP Hosimin

Sumo

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| S. P. Hosimin
Screenplay by| Shiva
Story by| S. P. Hosimin
Produced by| Ishari K. Ganesh
Starring|

* Shiva
* Yoshinori Tashiro
* Priya Anand

Cinematography| Rajiv Menon
Edited by| Praveen K. L.
Music by| Nivas K. Prasanna

Production
company

Vels Film International

Release date

* 25 April 2025 (2025-04-25)

Running time

| 115 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Sumo is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language sports comedy film directed by S. P. Hosimin, starring Shiva, Priya Anand and Yoshinori Tashiro with VTV Ganesh, Yogi Babu and Sathish in supporting roles. The film was produced by Ishari K. Ganesh under his Vels Film International banner with the technical team consisting of cinematographer Rajiv Menon, editor Praveen K. L. and composer Nivas K. Prasanna. Sumo was released in theatres on 25 April 2025 to mixed-to-positive reviews.

## Plot

[edit]

A sumo wrestler washes ashore near Chennai and is befriended by locals. After comedic misadventures, they help him return to Japan to fight for his championship title and rediscover his past.

## Cast

[edit]

* Shiva as Shiva
* Yoshinori Tashiro as Tashiro (Ganesh)
* Priya Anand as Kani
* VTV Ganesh as Jack
* Yogi Babu as Yogi Babu
* Sathish as Inspector V. Anbu
* Nizhalgal Ravi as Kani's father
* Chetan as Pandian
* Srinath as Kasa Kasa Asahi Sake
* Aarthi Ganeshkar as herself
* Besant Ravi as Yogi Babu's right hand
* Mani as Mani
* Saapattu Raman as himself
* Suresh Chakravarthi as Suresh (uncredited)

## Production

[edit]

In mid-June 2019, the production began for Shiva's next film helmed by S. P. Hosimin.[1] The film reunites the lead actor with Priya Anand as the female lead after Vanakkam Chennai (2013), while Yoshinori Tashiro, a former Sumo wrestler plays an important role in the film.[2] Eighteen other Sumo wrestlers also star in the film. Apart from acting, Shiva wrote the screenplay, handled the casting and scouted locations for the film.[3]

Rajiv Menon, a cinematographer-cum-director, agreed to work on the film since Hosimin had previously worked under him as an assistant.[4] Praveen K. L. handled the editing.[5] The film has music composed by Nivas K. Prasanna and produced by Ishari K. Ganesh under his Vels Film International banner.[6] The film also stars VTV Ganesh, Yogi Babu, Chetan, Besant Ravi, Srinath and others in supporting roles.[7]

A major portion of the principal photography took place in Japan.[8] The release of a trailer in April 2025 confirmed the inclusion of Sathish.[9]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

Sumo

Soundtrack album by

Nivas K. Prasanna

Genre| Feature film soundtrack
Language| Tamil
Producer| Nivas K. Prasanna
Nivas K. Prasanna chronology
| Emakku Thozhil Romance
(2024)  | Sumo
(2025)  | Bun Butter Jam
(2025)

|
|

The soundtrack is composed by Nivas K. Prasanna. The first single "Aazhiye" released on 21 April 2025.[10]

No.| Title| Lyrics| Singer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Aazhiye"| Mohan Rajan, Deepti Reddy| Naresh Iyer, Hevin Booster, Nithyasree, Rose Veronica, Deepti Reddy|

## Release

[edit]

### Theatrical

[edit]

Sumo was released in theatres on 25 April 2025.[11] The film was initially expected to release in theatres in 2021 but got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[12] and after much of a delay, in late-September 2024, it was announced that the film would release in October 2024, without mentioning a specific date, which did not pan out.[13] In early April 2025, the final release date was announced.[14]

### Home media

[edit]

Sumo began streaming on Sun NXT from 23 May 2025.[15]

## Critical response

[edit]

Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The comedy offers sporadic chuckles but doesn't consistently land with impact. The screenplay lacks a certain spark; events unfold, but often without exploring the culture clash or character depths beyond a surface level."[16] Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "With the strength of the film seemingly lying in comedy, the detours into emotional zones, and some serious zones are distracting at best, and infuriating at their worst. It is almost like the makers can't decide what to do with the simple one-liner, and fill it up with embellishments that only disengage us."[17]

Narayani M of Cinema Express gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The film's failure to resonate with audiences could be attributed to its datedness as Sumo was scheduled to be released almost five years ago. However, even as our tastes and sensibilities evolve over time, we still crave certain fundamental things like emotional connection and entertainment."[18] Anusha Sundar of OTTPlay gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Sumo has been put together to be a sports comedy entertainer. Neither does it delve into the sports aspect, nor is able to make you laugh. If you don't count the body shaming jokes, the film more or less treats sumo only as an exhibit, expected to pique curiosity."[19] News Today wrote, "If you're looking for an easy watch that brings together laughter and emotions, this one is worth your time. Let go of logic, and enjoy the ride with Shiva and his sumo friend".[20]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sumō on India's Silver Screen: Retired Wrestler Puts Comic Spin on Japan's National Sport". Nippon.com. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
2. ^ Kumar, Pradeep (20 July 2019). "What happened on the sets of Mirchi Shiva-starrer 'Sumo'?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
3. ^ Darshan, Navein (15 July 2019). "Vanakam sumo". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
4. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (17 July 2019). "Shiva turns screenplay writer for Sumo". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
5. ^ Sundar, Anusha (25 September 2024). "Much delayed Mirchi Shiva and Priya Anand's Sumo gets release window". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
6. ^ "Shiva-Priya Anand's 'Sumo' to finally release on OTT". The Times of India. 1 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
7. ^ "Shiva-Priya Anand's Sumo gets a new release window". Cinema Express. 23 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
8. ^ "Mirchi Shiva's long-delayed 'Sumo' to release on THIS date". The Times of India. 9 April 2025. Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
9. ^ Sumo – Official Trailer | Shiva | Priya Anand | Yogi Babu | Satish | VTV Ganesh | S.P. Hosimin. Vels Film International. 20 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025 – via YouTube.
10. ^ "'Aazhiye' song from Shiva's Sumo out". Cinema Express. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
11. ^ Kumar, Akshay (4 April 2025). "Mirchi Shiva starrer Sumo gets a new release date". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
12. ^ "சிவா நடிக்கும் 'சுமோ' திரைப்படத்தின் ரிலீஸ் தேதி அறிவிப்பு" [Siva starrer 'Sumo' release date announced]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 23 September 2024. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
13. ^ "Mirchi Shiva's 'Sumo' to release in October". The Times of India. 24 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
14. ^ Nasreen, Raisa (4 April 2025). "Shiva's Long-Delayed Film Sumo Gets A Release Date". Times Now. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
15. ^ Kumar, Akshay (22 May 2025). "Shiva's Sumo to make its digital debut on this date". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
16. ^ Subramanian, Abhinav (25 April 2025). "Sumo Movie Review : Charming idea needs more muscle". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
17. ^ Ramachandran, Avinash (25 April 2025). "Sumo movie review: Comic talents are squandered in this comedy that needed more absurdity, less drama". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
18. ^ M, Narayani (25 April 2025). "Sumo Movie Review: Suffers from rudimentary storytelling and weak humour". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
19. ^ Sundar, Anusha (25 April 2025). "Sumo movie review: Shiva's sports comedy wrestles more with silliness than story". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
20. ^ "Sumo – Review". News Today. 26 April 2025. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Sumo at IMDb
* Sumo at Rotten Tomatoes

*[No.]: Number