Idly Kadai

Decent one-time watch.. Story is nothing new(Hero leaving his luxury chef life abroad to continue his father legacy idly shop in his native and indirect message of how to grow your daughter/son) but screenplay is good. I would say director danush passed in this attempt (Far better than Raayan, his next best after Pa Pandi) Everyone did their characters well. Special note to Rajkiran and Geetha kailasam. Few stress buster comedies were good. Few scenes were refreshing like calf coming towards him, their initial struggle to set-up the idly shop, ilavarasu meeting his family.. Arun Vijay at climax.. cinematography and music was good. Arun Vijay did his part very well.

Was there no negatives? There are few.. Problem is so predictable story and many scenes you might have watched in his previous movies(VIP1 and 2). Sathyaraj and family acting was very artificial.. pace of the movie(never bored but bit slow), why there was never a marriage between lead pair? Unnecessary songs, for these feel good movies audience should feel the connection. Not sure if they had that in this movie(definitely i couldn't connect) .

But big appreciation to Danush on no unwanted violence/vulgarity(recent times many crap movies like that).. can definitely watch with family and kids.

*Idli Kadai* is a warm, flavourful slice-of-life drama that blends humour, emotion, and food with an earthy simplicity that feels refreshing. Set around a small-town idli shop, the film uses its modest backdrop to explore relationships, aspirations, and the everyday struggles of ordinary people. While the story may appear simple on the surface, the characters bring it alive with sincerity.

The standout strength of *Idli Kadai* lies in its performances. The lead actor delivers a grounded, endearing portrayal of a man trying to keep his father's legacy alive. His chemistry with the supporting cast-especially the spirited heroine-adds genuine charm to the narrative. The film's lighter moments work well, and several scenes around the shop evoke nostalgia for anyone who has grown up around street food culture.

The screenplay, although engaging, occasionally suffers from pacing issues. Some subplots feel stretched, and the emotional arcs could have been tighter. Despite that, the film never loses its core essence: celebrating the beauty of small joys and the dignity of hard work. The music complements the mood, and the cinematography captures the town's atmosphere with warmth.

What ultimately makes *Idli Kadai* worth watching is its heart. It doesn't try to be larger-than-life; instead, it finds magic in the mundane.

Dhanush brings back the tried-and-tested formula of nostalgia, family values, and emotional connect with Idli Kadai. And for the most part, it works.

The first half is the highlight - it hits the emotional chords well, especially for those who miss their hometown, family, and childhood memories. The warm depiction of simple food, love, and culture makes it relatable and heartwarming, even if the story feels familiar.

However, the second half dips a bit. The narrative slows down and brings in more generic ideas like the villagers coming together and supporting the hero. While these themes are common in many films, here they interrupt the natural flow built in the first half.

Anyway, the film ends on a good note, especially the post-climax portions manage to lift the film and leave a satisfying impression overall.

A beautiful emotional tale of love, sacrifice & the deep bond with our parents and homeland.

Dhanush is truly a priceless gem of Indian cinema, and Nithya Menen too amazes with her stellar performance. 🎬✨ GV Prakash's music elevates the film, while the entire cast shines brilliantly Rank 5/5 my opinion

Overall 4/5.

I'm usually not someone who leans toward harsh criticism, but this film left me with no choice. From start to finish, the narrative felt painfully dragged out, weighed down by endless flashbacks and repetitive moments that failed to establish any real emotional connection. Instead of drawing the audience in, the film constantly left me wondering when it would finally reach its conclusion.

The storyline was predictable at every turn, offering no real surprises or freshness. None of the scenes managed to stir any genuine emotion or leave a lasting impact. In fact, most of the characters felt underutilized, with their roles lacking depth, purpose, or logical consistency.

The absence of engaging humor or lighter moments made the experience even more monotonous. If the filmmakers had integrated some well-placed comedic elements, it might have added at least a touch of entertainment to an otherwise tedious watch.

Overall, the film felt like a squandered opportunity-a long, uninspired stretch of storytelling that neither entertains nor resonates.