Idli Kadai

Idli Kadai wears its heart on its sleeve, embracing nostalgia and roots with both hands. Dhanush is in top form as an actor and director here, mining most of the material. But the film falls into predictable rhythms and plays it safe with its most risky ideas.

Dhanush cooks a comfort meal that is warm, familiar, but slightly overcooked.

There's conviction in the filmmaking that makes us overlook several of the film's flaws. But what's hard to shake off is the feeling that given his talents, Dhanush should be more ambitious as a storyteller and not be content with just being a nostalgia merchant.

The film has the right messaging, but melodrama and predictability weigh it down.

Anchored by Rajkiran's stirring performance and Dhanush's sensitive storytelling, this rustic tale of roots, ahimsa, and reconciliation is nourishing, but it doesn't always bring new flavours to the table.