The Background
Sivakarthikeyan’s second production venture, Thaai Kizhavi, features Radikaa Sarathkumar in the lead role. Released in theaters this February, the film became a blockbuster at the box office and is now streaming on JioHotstar.
The Story
Pavunuthaayi (Radikaa Sarathkumar), a 70-year-old moneylender in a Madurai village, lives with her daughter Suruli and grandson. Her three sons abandoned her years ago.
One day, Pavunuthaayi suffers a stroke and becomes paralyzed. Her sons, Uppiliyan (a sound technician), Vijayan (an auto driver), and Selvam (a flower seller), return home and discover she has secretly purchased 160 sovereigns of gold. The rest of the film follows their attempts to keep her alive and uncover where the gold is hidden.
The Good
The film’s biggest strength lies in its performances. Radikaa Sarathkumar, despite limited screen time and being bedridden for most of the film, delivers a powerful and memorable performance. Aruldoss and Singam Puli showcase their experience, while Bala Saravanan, Munishkanth, and Raichel Rebecca bring natural charm to their roles.
Though presented as a lively rural comedy, Thaai Kizhavi carries emotional depth. The chaotic, humorous sequences cleverly reveal the characters’ motives. Both halves of the film are filled with laugh-out-loud moments. Director Sivakumar Murugesan’s use of old Kamal Haasan songs is particularly effective: Vishwaroopam’s “Yaar Endru Therigiradha” at the interval and Virumandi’s title track near the climax stand out. The film also conveys a strong message about women’s financial independence without sounding preachy.
The Bad
The film struggles with predictability. The sons’ realization of their mistakes and their path to redemption feel too familiar and easy to guess.
The Worse
Some sequences in the second half are unnecessarily stretched, with extended village character arcs adding to the runtime without much impact.
Takeaway
The film succeeds with its balanced mix of humor and emotion, strong performances from Radikaa and the supporting cast, and meaningful dialogues, especially in the climax.
Bottom Line
Thaai Kizhavi is a heartfelt rural comedy-drama. Despite its predictable moments, it remains an engaging and enjoyable watch.
Rating: 3/5
