A central moment in Dhanush’s ‘Idli Kadai’ shows his character, Murugan, striving to perfect his father’s traditional idli recipe. Despite replicating every step and ingredient, the idlis lack the familiar taste cherished by the people of Sankarapuram. After repeated attempts, the acclaimed chef finally succeeds. The revelation? There was no hidden ingredient, just the intangible touch often referred to as ‘kai manam’ – the unique flavor imparted by a chef’s hands. Murugan’s idlis eventually capture the essence of his father’s, bringing life back to the ‘Idli Kadai.’ This scene beautifully mirrors the film’s own journey.
This marks Dhanush’s fourth venture as a director, opening by establishing the deep significance of the idli shop to his father, Sivanesan (portrayed wonderfully by Rajkiran), and explaining why Murugan left his small town for advanced culinary training. Murugan, now a celebrated chef at a prestigious Bangkok hotel, is engaged to Meera (Shalini Pandey), the daughter of his boss, business magnate Vishnu Vardhan (Sathyaraj). Vishnu’s son, Ashwin (Arun Vijay), a spoiled young man, despises Murugan, a sentiment intensified by his father’s constant comparisons. A twist of fate compels Murugan to return to Sankarapuram, and after a series of misfortunes, he chooses to revive his father’s shop and call off his wedding. This decision, naturally, upsets Vishnu Vardhan, setting the stage for the film’s central conflict.
An image from ‘Idli Kadai’ shows Nithya Menen and Dhanush.
While the premise might seem simple, the film occasionally misses crucial emotional nuances. For example, a phone call where Murugan’s parents decline to travel to Bangkok for his wedding lacks the emotional depth one would expect. The narrative also includes several clichés, such as an opening monologue that feels ambiguous, leaving viewers unsure whether it’s the character or the director speaking. The Bangkok sequences often feel bland, and the efforts to portray Ashwin as a perpetually spoiled man-child are largely ineffective.
A significant issue with the film lies in its portrayal of reconnecting with one’s roots; it tends to alienate those who left their hometowns for better opportunities. Ashwin’s character journey implies that empathy and good parenting are exclusive to humble settings, while other dialogues suggest that aspirations for a better life inherently detach individuals from their heritage.
But despite these imperfections, Dhanush’s film finds its redemption through its strong emotional core. Nithya Menen shines as Kayal, a devoted neighbor who cared for Murugan’s aging parents in his absence. Their blossoming romance is genuinely engaging. The film also provides ample comic relief, particularly in a humorous scene where Murugan, Kayal, and their friend Ramarajan (Ilavarasu) comically grapple with their grinding stone.
Film Details: Idli Kadai (Tamil)
- Director: Dhanush
- Cast: Dhanush, Arun Vijay, Nithya Menen, Rajkiran, Sathyaraj
- Runtime: 147 minutes
- Storyline: A renowned chef in Bangkok seeks to revive his family’s traditional idli shop and reconnect with his heritage, facing obstacles from his powerful employer.
The film truly excels in its emotional depth, and Dhanush’s writing for Murugan’s character arc is commendable. Murugan evolves from grasping his father’s deep affection for the eatery, to understanding that he must embody Sivanesan’s spirit to keep the business alive. When faced with adversity, he fully embraces and exemplifies all the values his father represented.
Several elements leave a lasting impression: the journey of Parthiban’s police character, a poignant line by Ilavarasu about ‘poetic justice,’ and the impact of Sivanesan’s compassion towards the local schoolchildren. A memorable scene, reminiscent of ‘Black Panther,’ coupled with GV Prakash Kumar’s inspiring music, garnered significant applause. Prakash’s score, Kiran Koushik’s cinematography, and Jacki’s flawless production design collectively make ‘Idli Kadai’ a truly delightful watch.
Another still from ‘Idli Kadai’ featuring Arun Vijay and Sathyaraj.
Intriguingly, certain perceived flaws in the film’s second half—such as the somewhat lackluster delivery of news by Murugan’s mother over the phone—gain new significance by the end. Dhanush’s narrative skillfully manages to validate even the opening philosophical quote.
‘Idli Kadai’ doesn’t aim to reinvent cinematic formulas. Following his previous work, Dhanush appears to have explored a desire for a comforting, familiar story, and this film perfectly embodies that. It intends to transport you away from gourmet dining, bringing back a forgotten flavor, offering solace through its familiarity, and leaving you with a profound sense of warmth.
Ultimately, it’s all about a classic, soft, and fluffy idli. It simply requires the perfect ingredients and that special, indefinable touch from the chef.
The film ‘Idli Kadai’ is currently showing in theaters.
A video trailer for ‘Idli Kadai’ is available.