SK Films International has unveiled the first look and title of its upcoming family drama, Moi Virundhu. The film marks the directorial debut of C.R. Manikandan, known for his previous work as an assistant director on films like Manjapai, Kadamban, and My Dear Bootham.
The narrative centers on the traditional practice of “Moi Virundhu,” a community feast organized to raise funds, predominantly observed in the Thanjavur region. Director Manikandan revealed that the inspiration struck during a visit to Peravurani, where he witnessed the immense scale of these events. “I couldn’t believe that crores of rupees were collected as ‘moi’ (gift money). This practice relies heavily on a family’s reputation and integrity,” Manikandan explained. He noted that families can only host such a feast once every three years, during which they must reciprocate the contributions they received, essentially functioning as a community-based banking system built on trust.
National Award-winning actress Archana, famed for her role in Balu Mahendra’s Veedu, headlines the cast as Seetha, the matriarch who upholds this tradition. The film also features Rakshan and Ayesha Zeenath as the romantic leads, supported by an ensemble including Deepa Shankar, Sujatha Sivakumar, Abarnathi, Aruldoss, Namo Narayanan, and Gajaraj.
The film was shot entirely in the scenic Pannaikadu region of Kodaikanal. The technical crew boasts D. Imman as the composer, M. Sukumar as the cinematographer, and Bhuvan as the editor. Produced by S. Kamalakannan, Moi Virundhu is currently in the final stages of post-production. The makers are eyeing a theatrical release in February next year.
