Thaai Kizhavi - Go for the Gold

Thaai Kizhavi

Tamil, 2026

Genre: Family Comedy 

Director: Sivakumar Murugesan

Radhika Sarathkumar, Singampuli, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Bala Saravanan, Ilavarasu

Mohan's Measure ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Kollywood in the 21st Century is made up of women who identify as actors. The 20th Century had actresses, and among them some rose to the level Divas. And one of these reigning queens was - continues to be - without doubt, Radhika Sarathkumar. She is listed as the star of the film, but in truth, she is an active participant in this zany comedy for a little over 30 minutes. But in that short time, she turns an otherwise ordinary comedy into the stuff of genius. 

With painstakingly crafted makeup, Ms. Radhika takes on the persona of a catankerous old hag who is loved, hated, and most of all, feared by an entire village who counts on her for loans - which she provides with appropriate interest and a demand for return. In her own brood, the widow has a recently divorced daughter, and three sad sacks for sons. And for all of them, her passing means a chance at freedom from debt.

Needless to say, her having a sudden stroke leads to expectations, an emotion which is soon changed when it is discovered that somewhere among her belongings is a stash of gold jewelry which in today's money is worth a fortune.  But the only one who knows its whereabouts is the old paati. So now the sons become desperate to keep her alive.

Plenty of room for both humor and reflection in this plot, and, yes, both are served, particularly from the talented cast of comedians taking on side roles. But, often the humor feels dated and repetitive, while subplots are suddenly brought in with little explanation and we find ourselves waiting, along with the movie characters, for her to reawaken. 

But, as the ending shows, you better be careful what you ask for.