# Bromance (2025 film)
**Bromance** (Malayalam: ബ്രോമിൻസ്) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Arun D Jose and produced by Ashiq Usman under Ashiq Usman Productions, in which a young man searches for his missing older brother with a group of the brother's friends and acquaintances.[1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html) • [2](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bromance-could-have-been-a-neat-stoner-film-but-it-refuses-to-get-high) It was released in theaters on February 14, 2025, as a [Valentine's Day](https://www.edgepedia.org/valentines-day) offering.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Feb/01/bromance-trailer-promises-a-fun-youthful-entertainer)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director / producer | Arun D Jose; Ashiq Usman, Ashiq Usman Productions[1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html) |
| Release | February 14, 2025 (India), theatrical[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/) |
| Lead cast | Mathew Thomas (Binto), Arjun Ashokan (Shabeer), Mahima Nambiar (Aishwarya), Shyam Mohan (Shinto)[1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html) |
| Writers | Arun D Jose, Raveesh Nath, and Thomas P Sebastian[1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html) |
| Technical crew | Cinematography Akhil George, editing Chaman Chakko, music Govind Vasantha[1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html) |
| Streaming | SonyLIV from May 1, 2025, in Malayalam with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu audio[5](https://www.ottplay.com/news/bromance-ott-release-date-when-where-to-watch-mathew-thomas-arjun-ashokan-malayalam-film/97e5f489be198) • [6](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid) |
| Box office | ₹148.1 million (₹14.81 crore) per FilmiBeat; IMDb lists a worldwide gross of $416,993[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance.html) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
The film follows two brothers with contrasting lives. Binto (Mathew Thomas) is a laid-back social media addict who posts viral reels under the pseudonym Keeleri Achu, while his older brother Shinto ([Shyam Mohan](https://www.edgepedia.org/shyam-mohan)) is a disciplined stock market trader working at an IT company in Kochi, held up by family and neighbors as a model.[8](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/story.html) • [9](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2025/02/14/bromance-malayalam-movie-review.amp.html) When Shinto mysteriously disappears, Binto receives a call from Shinto's friend Shabeer (Arjun Ashokan) and travels to Kochi to search for him.[9](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2025/02/14/bromance-malayalam-movie-review.amp.html) • [10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bromance-movie-review-a-lively-and-exuberant-ride-led-by-mathew-thomas-and-mahima-nambiar-9836623/)
The search pulls in an unlikely group: Shabeer, Shinto's ex-girlfriend Aishu (Mahima Nambiar), the ethical hacker Hariharasudhan ([Sangeeth Prathap](https://www.edgepedia.org/sangeeth-prathap)), and the local gangster Courier Babu (Kalabhavan Shajohn), to whom Shinto owes money.[2](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bromance-could-have-been-a-neat-stoner-film-but-it-refuses-to-get-high) Along the way Binto learns that Shinto had been leading a double life far removed from his "Mr Perfect" image, with a string of ex-girlfriends including Aishwarya.[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bromance-movie-review-a-lively-and-exuberant-ride-led-by-mathew-thomas-and-mahima-nambiar-9836623/) The trail leads the group to Virajpet in Kodagu (Coorg), where they clash with a Kodava gang headed by Ashish Bopanna (Bharat Bopanna).[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bromance-movie-review-a-lively-and-exuberant-ride-led-by-mathew-thomas-and-mahima-nambiar-9836623/) • [6](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid) Binu Pappu plays SI Tony "Sura" Francis.[6](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid)
## Production and release
Arun D Jose's previous films were *Jo and Jo* (2022) and *Journey of Love 18+* (2023), both co-written with Raveesh Nath; the makers announced the title and first-look poster of *Bromance* on Vishu, April 14, 2024.[11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Apr/14/jo-and-jo-fame-arun-d-joses-next-titled-bromance) The trailer released in early February 2025 positioned the film as a youthful comic caper, with reviewers comparing its spirit to the older [Priyadarshan](https://www.edgepedia.org/priyadarshan) and Siddique-Lal comedies.[3](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Feb/01/bromance-trailer-promises-a-fun-youthful-entertainer)
The film opened in theaters on February 14, 2025, sharing a Valentine's Day weekend with *[Painkili](https://www.edgepedia.org/painkili)* and *Daveed*; according to a mid-year Indian Express survey of [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema), none of the three performed well.[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/) • [12](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/2025-malayalam-cinema-6-month-report-mohanlal-mammootty-asif-ali-empuraan-thudarum-10101772/lite/) It began streaming on SonyLIV on May 1, 2025, with dubs in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.[5](https://www.ottplay.com/news/bromance-ott-release-date-when-where-to-watch-mathew-thomas-arjun-ashokan-malayalam-film/97e5f489be198) • [6](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid) FilmiBeat lists JioHotstar as an OTT platform.[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance.html)
## Reception
**Critical response was mixed.** S. R. Praveen of *The Hindu* called it a fast-paced, fun-filled ride despite a thin plotline and some failed gags, crediting the actors.[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bromance_2025) Cinema Express gave it 3 out of 5, describing a goofy, loud comedy aimed at Gen Z whose second half "fully embraces its own madness," with Sangeeth Prathap's Hariharasudhan singled out as the scene-stealer.[14](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/Feb/14/bromance-movie-review-a-goofy-and-loud-comedy-that-mostly-hits-the-mark) [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) rated it 2.5 out of 5, praising [Govind Vasantha](https://www.edgepedia.org/govind-vasantha)'s soundtrack, Akhil George's cinematography, and [Chaman Chakko](https://www.edgepedia.org/chaman-chakko)'s editing while faulting a script that over-relies on repeated devices, such as Binto's anger-management trait.[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bromance-movie-review-a-lively-and-exuberant-ride-led-by-mathew-thomas-and-mahima-nambiar-9836623/) The News Minute argued the film had the ingredients of a stoner comedy but was undone by overused meta references, noting that Courier Babu's characterization echoes Fahadh Faasil's Ranga in *Aavesham* and that childhood flashbacks resemble *Manjummel Boys*.[2](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bromance-could-have-been-a-neat-stoner-film-but-it-refuses-to-get-high) NowRunning's summary of eight reviews describes a lighthearted take on youthful camaraderie dampened by an underwhelming screenplay and inconsistent storytelling.[15](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30187/bromance/reviews/)
Mathew Thomas later responded to criticism of his performance as overacting, explaining how he had approached the character of Binto.[16](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mathew-thomas-responds-to-criticism-of-his-overacting-in-bromance-9989145/) IMDb lists a user rating of 5.4/10 from about 1,700 votes and a worldwide gross of $416,993.[4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/)
## Box office and runtime discrepancies
Reported figures for the film differ across sources. FilmiBeat lists a box office gross of ₹148.1 million (₹14.81 crore), while IMDb lists a worldwide gross of $416,993.[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance.html) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/) Runtimes also vary: FilmiBeat gives 138 minutes, IMDb 2h 30m, Apple TV 2h 16m, and NowRunning 2h 18m.[8](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/story.html) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/) • [6](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid) • [15](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30187/bromance/reviews/) One FilmiBeat story page states a release date of February 14, 2024, which conflicts with the February 14, 2025 date given by every other source consulted, including FilmiBeat's own cast-and-crew page.[8](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/story.html) • [1](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html)
## References
1. [Bromance Cast & Crew, FilmiBeat](https://filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/cast-crew.html)
2. [Bromance could have been a neat stoner film, but it refuses to get high, The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/bromance-could-have-been-a-neat-stoner-film-but-it-refuses-to-get-high)
3. [Bromance trailer promises a fun, youthful entertainer, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Feb/01/bromance-trailer-promises-a-fun-youthful-entertainer)
4. [Bromance (2025), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32135710/)
5. [Bromance OTT release date, Ottplay](https://www.ottplay.com/news/bromance-ott-release-date-when-where-to-watch-mathew-thomas-arjun-ashokan-malayalam-film/97e5f489be198)
6. [Bromance, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/in/movie/bromance/umc.cmc.1nf3nzcleipwf8jc2g54sfqid)
7. [Bromance Malayalam Movie, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance.html)
8. [Bromance: Story, Preview, First Day Box Office Collection, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/bromance/story.html)
9. [Bromance Malayalam movie review, Manorama Online](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2025/02/14/bromance-malayalam-movie-review.amp.html)
10. [Bromance movie review, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bromance-movie-review-a-lively-and-exuberant-ride-led-by-mathew-thomas-and-mahima-nambiar-9836623/)
11. [Jo and Jo-fame Arun D Jose's next titled Bromance, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Apr/14/jo-and-jo-fame-arun-d-joses-next-titled-bromance)
12. [Malayalam cinema 6-month report card, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/2025-malayalam-cinema-6-month-report-mohanlal-mammootty-asif-ali-empuraan-thudarum-10101772/lite/)
13. [Bromance (2025), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bromance_2025)
14. [Bromance Movie Review, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/Feb/14/bromance-movie-review-a-goofy-and-loud-comedy-that-mostly-hits-the-mark)
15. [Bromance Reviews, NowRunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30187/bromance/reviews/)
16. [Mathew Thomas responds to criticism of his 'overacting' in Bromance, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mathew-thomas-responds-to-criticism-of-his-overacting-in-bromance-9989145/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Malayalam films of the 2020s › Malayalam films of 2025*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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