Idli Kadai (2025) Movie ft. Arun, Rajkiran, and Dhanush

Dhanush returns to the director’s chair for the fourth time with Idli Kadai, a film that released on October 1, 2025. He stars in the lead role while handling production duties through Wunderbar Films alongside Dawn Pictures. The cast includes talented names like Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Sathyaraj, Rajkiran, and R. Parthiban in key roles.

This drama revolves around the value of family ties and remembering where we belong. Dhanush mentioned in interviews that childhood memories of wanting idlis inspired this project. Most scenes were filmed across Theni district in Tamil Nadu, giving the movie an authentic rural flavor. After its theater run, Netflix picked it up for streaming starting October 29, 2025.

A Journey From Dreams to Reality

Murugan, our main character played by Dhanush, spends his childhood observing his father Sivanesan manage their village’s beloved idli outlet. Every morning before dawn, his father begins preparing fresh batches that the locals have come to depend on. Young Murugan watches this daily grind but secretly hopes for something different.

Once he completes his hospitality training, Murugan takes a job in Bangkok at a large catering business. His dedication catches his employer’s attention, leading to a relationship with the boss’s daughter, Meera. Life looks bright until tragedy hits home with his father’s unexpected death.

Returning to the village changes everything for Murugan. He makes the tough decision to postpone his wedding plans and take over the family business. His future in-laws don’t take this well. What follows shows his struggle to honor his late father while facing opposition from different corners.

Actors Bring Depth to Simple Roles

Dhanush carries the film on his shoulders with a performance that feels lived-in. I watched him transform from an ambitious young man into someone who finds meaning in tradition. The way he expresses inner conflict without overdoing it shows his growth as an actor. His presence grounds every scene he’s in.

Nithya Menen gets limited space but uses it well. Having worked together on Thiruchitrambalam before, she and Dhanush share an easy rapport. I found myself wanting more of their interactions because they complemented each other nicely.

Arun Vijay brings intensity to his antagonist role. He doesn’t play a cartoon villain but someone whose motivations you can understand even if you don’t agree. His confrontations with Dhanush crackle with tension. Rajkiran delivers a quietly powerful turn as the principled father. Those tender moments between parent and child work because he brings such warmth to the part.

Elements That Shine Through

The relationship between father and son forms this movie’s emotional spine. These moments don’t feel manufactured or forced. The storytelling keeps things straightforward, letting genuine feeling carry the weight rather than manipulative tricks.

I appreciated how the opening half maintains good momentum. Scenes showing the family’s daily routines or their efforts to rebuild after setback feel fresh. The film respects rural traditions without making them look quaint or backwards. It shows people living with dignity in their chosen way of life.

GV Prakash deserves credit for his soundtrack work. While the songs are pleasant, his instrumental score really elevates key sequences. The music knows when to step back and when to emphasize emotion. Kiran Koushik’s camera captures the countryside with genuine affection. His frames have a natural quality that draws you into this world.

Prasanna GK’s work in the editing room helps maintain flow, especially when cutting between different time periods. There are also some subtle visual tricks showing spiritual elements that work without calling too much attention to themselves.

Rough Patches Along the Way

The storyline follows a familiar path. Anyone who’s watched similar family dramas will anticipate where things are heading. The core message about roots and family values matters, but it’s territory that’s been covered extensively in South Indian cinema. This familiarity makes certain stretches less engaging.

The film’s second portion doesn’t match the first. After building up character relationships effectively, it pivots toward standard confrontation between good and bad. This change in direction felt jarring to me. Action sequences that appear later seem out of step with the gentler tone established earlier.

Pacing becomes an issue at times. While deliberate storytelling can work, there are segments where not much happens on screen. A few musical numbers interrupt momentum when the story should be building. Tighter editing would have helped, cutting scenes that don’t push things forward.

The portrayal of wealthy characters lacks nuance, making them feel like caricatures. This weakens conflicts that should feel more complex. At times, the film feels like it belongs to an earlier era rather than contemporary cinema. It seems reluctant to take risks with its subject matter.

Response From Different Voices

Critics had varying takes on the film. The Indian Express and The Week both landed at 3.5 stars, recognizing its traditional approach while noting predictable developments. High On Films liked Dhanush’s return to smaller stories but felt the execution was dated.

Deccan Herald was less generous with 2.5 stars, suggesting the writing didn’t support the emotional ambitions. 123Telugu gave it 2.75, praising early segments but finding the latter portions conventional. Rotten Tomatoes collected reviews describing it as straightforward but not entirely successful in balancing its different elements.

Regular moviegoers on IMDb settled around 6.7 out of 10. Families responded positively to its focus on traditions and values. The father-son dynamic and GV Prakash’s musical contributions got frequent mentions. Viewers acknowledged the slow pace and predictable turns as drawbacks but appreciated the sincerity.

Where I Stand on This

Idli Kadai succeeds as comfort viewing for families wanting something gentle. It won’t challenge your expectations, but it delivers honest emotion through its performances. Dhanush gives you a character worth rooting for, and Arun Vijay provides solid opposition.

The shift in tone midway remains its biggest weakness. I wish it had stayed closer to the intimate family story instead of introducing conventional action. Better choices in the editing room could have tightened things considerably.

For viewers who appreciate unhurried family stories with traditional sensibilities, this offers satisfying viewing. It works best when shared with relatives during leisure time. The themes about parental sacrifice and cultural identity resonate genuinely. The rural backdrop and nostalgic touches provide warmth that lingers beyond the runtime.

Rating: 3.5/5