The Tamil comedy drama, Thaai Kizhavi, is officially making its way to the small screen. After shattering box office expectations and earning a “Blockbuster” status with over INR 75 crore in worldwide collections against a mere INR 10 crore budget, the Radikaa Sarathkumar-starrer is set to premiere on JioHotstar on April 10, 2026.
At the heart of Thaai Kizhavi is Pavunuthayi (Radikaa Sarathkumar), a fierce, foul-mouthed, and unapologetically independent 70-year-old moneylender in rural Tamil Nadu. Feared by her village and estranged from her family, Pavunuthayi lives life on her own terms until she suddenly falls critically ill.
While her three “good-for-nothing” sons initially view her illness as a relief, the narrative takes a sharp, comedic turn when a secret surfaces: Pavunuthayi is rumoured to be hiding a massive treasure.
Suddenly, the sons who couldn’t wait for her to pass are desperately trying to keep her alive, leading to a series of hilarious, high-stakes, and eventually heart-wrenching situations.
The film belongs to Radikaa Sarathkumar, whose amazing performance as the gritty matriarch has been hailed as a career-best. Despite her character being bedridden for a significant portion of the film, her presence looms large, proving why she remains a titan of Indian cinema.
She is backed by a great ensemble of comedic talents. Singampuli delivers some of the biggest laughs as an obsessive Kamal Haasan fan, while Bala Saravanan and Aruldoss perfectly balance greed and relatability as the other two sons.
Complemented by grounded, scene-stealing performances from Munishkanth and Ilavarasu, the supporting cast ensures the humour remains as sharp as the film’s emotional core.
Thaai Kizhavi marks the confident directorial debut of Sivakumar Murugesan. Produced by actor Sivakarthikeyan (under Sivakarthikeyan Productions) and Sudhan Sundaram (Passion Studios), the movie has been praised for its rooted storytelling that avoids melodrama in favour of sharp wit and genuine emotion. Stay tuned for more updates.