The Aroma of Father-Son Bonding – Idli Kadai Movie Review
Set against the backdrop of a simple Tamil Nadu village, Idli Kadai tells the heartfelt story of Rajkiran, his wife Geetha Kailasam, and their son Dhanush. Rajkiran runs a modest idli shop that sustains the family, while Dhanush, with a passion for cooking, completes his culinary studies and takes up a job abroad at a restaurant owned by veteran actor Sathyaraj.
Sathyaraj’s son, played by Arun Vijay, falls into the traps of gambling, addiction, and reckless living, leaving his father disheartened yet helpless. Meanwhile, love blossoms between Dhanush and Sathyaraj’s daughter, portrayed by Shalini Pandey. A delighted Sathyaraj even goes on to fix their marriage.
Tragedy strikes when Rajkiran and Geetha pass away unexpectedly, forcing Dhanush to return to his village. Choosing not to go back overseas, he revives his father’s idli shop with the help of his cousin, played by Nithya Menen. But this decision complicates his marriage with Shalini Pandey. Matters intensify when Arun Vijay returns to India, determined to send Dhanush abroad again and marry off his sister. This sparks a fierce conflict between the two men.
What becomes of Dhanush’s love story? Will the wedding with Shalini Pandey take place? Can he protect his father’s idli shop from rivals, including the relentless competition posed by Samuthirakani’s parotta shop across the street? These questions drive the rest of the narrative.
Written and directed by Dhanush, the film primarily celebrates the emotional bond between father and son. Despite pacing lags in certain portions, the sincerity and intensity of Dhanush’s performance, especially in the father-son relationship, compensate for the flaws. Rajkiran delivers his trademark natural and moving acting, while Shalini Pandey justifies her role with grace. Arun Vijay showcases his potential but is underutilized, while Sathyaraj’s role leaves little impact. Nithya Menen once again shines with her effortless charm, and Parthiban impresses in a distinctly different role as a police officer.
On the technical front, G.V. Prakash’s music stands tall as the soul of the film, while Kiran Koushik’s cinematography adds elegance to the visuals. Editor G.K. Prasanna could have trimmed portions to maintain tighter pacing.
Jointly produced by Akash Baskaran for Dawn Pictures and Dhanush under Wunderbar Films, Idli Kadai emerges as a family-friendly entertainer that beautifully blends flavors of love, emotion, and tradition, reminding audiences of the timeless strength of father-son bonds.
Rating: 3.5/5