Movie Review: Thaai Kizhavi

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Pavanuthaayi ( Radhika Sarathkumar) is a dominating, old lady who lives by her own rules and has come up in life by she grit and determination, despite the odds life stacked against  her. Even in her old age, she strikes terror amongst the villagers when she sets out to retrieve payback of her loans to them,  giving them one more reason to dislike her and her rough ways.


One day when she falls gravely ill, on the brink of death, the village rejoices, but her 3 no-gooder sons ( Singampuli, Aruldoss, Bala Saravanan) are dismayed because, having  got wind of an alleged landfall inheritance of gold they believe she has stashed away, now they have no way of getting to its location. Even the greedy son-in-law is waiting in the wings for a portion.

So the sons rush her to a city hospital to save her life, so that they can get to the gold. Even their wives are in on the secret.  Another local  person Pennulyquick ( Munishkanth) helps them, for a fee. Only her daughter Suruli (Raichel Rebecca) faces the situation with a stoic front.

But things dont really go according to plan.  What happens to Pavunuthaayi? Does she survive ? Do the sons get the gold?

Debut director Sivakumar Murugesan delivers a laugh riot entertainer, a rural drama par excellence, which has not just laughs but also deep life lesson. with the aid of  superb veteran actor Radhika Sarathkumar helming the film with a brilliant performance, transforming completely into her character, a veritable pillar on which the film rests.

The  talented supporting cast characters are well written and have an arc as well. Their penchant for easy money, greed are reflective of our social fabric and strike a chord with the viewer. Their ignorant  and greedy antics bring on the laughs with dialogues and situational comedy. But the way Sivakumar turns the film of its head in the climax, with a powerful social message empowering and encouraging women, with Radhika's powerful and impactful dialogue, gives the film an entire new perpective.

This is not just about satire and humor but a film with emotional depth, life lessons and  instilling values that affect the coming generations. Suruli's character too deserves mention, with Raichel Rebecca's excellent performance and superbly enunciated, impactful dialogues.

On the flip side, the dialect may not be always be grasped by all,  and with many characters speaking very fast, lines blur and jokes don't always land. 

Overall, Thaai Kizhavi is a genuine and sincere attempt from producers Passion Studios and Sivakarthikeyan Productions, not just to entertain but also to drive home a significant social message on why empowering women is important for a family's and society's well being. Watch it not just for the humor, but also its profound, emotional core and Radhika Sarathkumar's awards winning act. 

Rating 4/ 5


Cast & Crew Details of Thaai Kizhavi :


*Cast*


Radikaa Sarathkumar 


Singampuli 


Aruldoss 


Munishkanth 


Bala Saravanan 


Ilavarasu 


Muthukumar 


George Maryan 


Raichal Rabecca 


*Crew*


Director: Sivakumar Murugesan


Producer: Sudhan Sundaram & Sivakarthikeyan (Passion Studios & Sivakarthikeyan Productions) 


Music: Nivas K. Prasanna 


Cinematography: Vivek Vijayakumar 


Editor: San Lokesh 


Makeup Designer: N Chelladurai Alangudi

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