Radhika Sarathkumar plays the lead in Thaai Kizhavi, a rural family drama releasing in theatres on February 27. It is the kind of role that rarely comes along for an actress in Tamil cinema, and based on the reactions at the film’s pre-release event, it appears to be something special.
The film, directed by first-timer Sivakumar Murugesan, centres on Pavunuthayi, a formidable elderly woman in a rural Tamil Nadu village. Radhika underwent four hours of prosthetic makeup daily to transform into the character. Her inspiration, she said, was Kamal Haasan. “The character should be visible on screen, not you. Kamal told me that once, and it stuck with me.”
Then came the punchline. “Actually, this story was meant for Rajinikanth. He wouldn’t do this kind of makeup. So they changed the character to a woman and cast me. That’s how I see it.”
It’s the kind of thing only someone with 48 years in the industry can say with a straight face. Radhika debuted in 1978 with Kizhakke Pogum Rail and has worked across five language industries since, winning Filmfare Awards and state honours while also building Radaan Mediaworks into one of India’s largest television production companies. She also had a pointed message for those who questioned her over the years. “When I entered cinema, many people humiliated me. To all of them, I say today: I am M.R. Radha’s daughter.”
Sivakumar Murugesan comes from M. Manikandan’s camp, having served as an assistant director on Kadaisi Vivasayi, the acclaimed rural drama that won Best Tamil Film at the National Awards. That grounded, character-driven sensibility carries over into Thaai Kizhavi, which multiple speakers described as a film that lets its story do the talking.
Soori put it directly. “They’ve conveyed how a woman should claim her rights, not through punchline dialogues but through scenes,” he said. “When I watched this film, I remembered my own mother. Nobody should miss it.”
Sivakarthikeyan, whose production banner co-produced the film with Sudhan Sundaram’s Passion Studios, spoke about what drew him to the project. His banner has built a diverse slate over the years, from commercial hits like Doctor and Don to critically acclaimed work like Kottukkaali, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. Thaai Kizhavi fits that philosophy of backing strong stories regardless of commercial formula.
“After hearing the story, I decided I want to act as the hero in Sivakumar’s next film,” Sivakarthikeyan said. That project, titled Seyon, is already confirmed. “I want the films I produce to be relevant to society,” he added. “I’m not competing with anyone. I’m just trying to give something back to the industry that gave me everything.”
Kamal Haasan watched a private screening of Thaai Kizhavi recently and came away impressed, telling the director he had “created many stars” with the film. Sarathkumar, who attended as a guest, said the role required genuine courage and decades of accumulated craft. “If my wife succeeds, it’s as if I’ve succeeded,” he said.
Director Arun Raja Kamaraj, who directed Kanaa for Sivakarthikeyan Productions, offered perhaps the boldest endorsement. “Thaai Kizhavi is a hundred times what Kanaa was in terms of representing women,” he said. Director Sibi Chakravarthi went further, comparing Radhika’s screen presence to Kamal Haasan’s transformation work. “She looked like another Lady Kamal Haasan on screen.”
The supporting cast includes Bala Saravanan, Singampuli, Ilavarasu, Muthukumar, Aruldas, and Raichal, with music by Nivas K. Prasanna, cinematography by Vivek Vijayakumar, and editing by San Lokesh.
Thaai Kizhavi releases in theatres worldwide on February 27.