Samson and Mallika have just been released from prison. Samson is a small-time thief to whom prison is a "second home" while Mallika went to prison for murdering someone to save her husband from being killed. Samson falls in love with the girlat first sight. He decides to accompany her on the journey back home, but during the entire journey, Mallika is absolutely quiet and refuses to utter a word to him. She seems depressed and lonely. Shocking things await her when she reaches her home in Karippa to meet her husband Manikuttan/Kannukuttan. Kannukuttan was having an affair with their neighbour's wife, and it was the jealous husband who had wanted to kill Kannukuttan. Mallika gives quotation to Samson for killing Kannukuttan. Samson, after some brilliant plots and a fight sequence, defeats Kannukuttan, but never killed him. Later he tells Mallika that he doesn't want to go back to prison again for killing him, because he fell in love with Mallika and he want to live a new life with her. Mallika, realising Samson's love for the first time, agrees and goes with him in the end.
Thappana was launched on 5 March 2012. The movie started production in mid-April and was mostly filmed in Kochi. Filming was completed in 52 days, ahead of the schedules that was originally planned for 60 days.
Critical reception
IndiaGlitz gave the movie 6.5/10, saying that "'Thaappana' is not an unique work, but offers an ordinary watch that may please you for this festival season. If marketed well, 'Thappana' may also end the recent flop show of the Superstar." The Times of India gave the movie 3.5/5, stating that "Director Johny Antony does play to the multitude at times but his grip on the narrative never loosens and notches up a film that may not be remarkable but surely worth watching." Metro Matinee gave the movie a verdict of "Watchable", saying that "Thappana is an extremely simple movie, with its raw humour and earthy wise cracks. Both the story and the humour could be easily related. There are no major shortcomings and the little ones could be ignored. An ordinary story has been made endearing through some good script writing, spectacular photography, sensible acting and direction. The humour might annoy the prude but provides continuous enjoyment to the rest. A perfect prescription for family audiences. In short, a fairly nice option, if you don’t think too much!" Paresh C Palicha of Rediff gave the movie 2.5/5, concluding that "Thappana has the flavour of a typical star film like Rajamanikyam or Mayavi, but it does not go overboard nor is it overly dependent on the star."
Box office
The film was released in approximately 80 theatres. The film ran for 50 days and completed around 6500 shows in theatres. The film received mixed critical response.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack contains 8 songs, all composed by Vidyasagar. Lyrics by Anil Panachooran, Murukan Kattakkada, Santhosh Varma.
