By Grace Cyril,News18
Copyright news18
Actor-filmmaker Dhanush has appealed to moviegoers to be cautious of premature reviews that appear online before a film’s first show is completed. Speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming directorial Idli Kadai in Coimbatore, the actor talked about the need for audiences to rely on genuine feedback rather than rushed opinions.
Warning against early reviews
Addressing the gathering, Dhanush said how reviews often surface even before the movie has finished its first screening. He said, “After the movie releases, there will be a few reviews that will come out at 8 am, when the film itself begins at 9 am. Please don’t believe such reviews. If a film releases at 9 am, one will get to know how the film is only at 12.30 pm. Even before the film ends, a lot of reviews will be put out. Please don’t believe such reviews. Please watch the film and make a decision or ask your friends who might have watched the film. Ask them and make a decision if whether you need to watch the film or not.”
“Cinema must stay healthy”
Dhanush further underlined the importance of fair reception for the survival of the film industry. He pointed out that multiple livelihoods depend on cinema and stressed the need for films across the board to perform well.
“Everybody’s films must do well. All the producers must do well. Not just in cinema, there are a lot of people outside it as well who are dependent on cinema. There are a lot of businesses that are dependent on cinema. Therefore, it is important that all films run successfully. This is in your hands. So, please watch the correct reviews and you decide how the film is. This is my request,” he said.
Trailer of Idli Kadai out
The two-minute trailer opens with Dhanush’s character, Murugan, requesting his father to buy an idli grinder to ease the process of preparing batter. While the younger man seeks efficiency, his father, deeply rooted in the traditional methods of making idlis, remains skeptical about whether the taste will remain unchanged. The family’s idli shack, or “idli kadai,” is shown as a cherished spot among local residents.
The trailer hints that Murugan has moved away from the family business to pursue hotel management, working under Ashwin, portrayed by Arun Vijay. Though Murugan’s involvement boosts profits, his absence creates tension with his father. The situation escalates when Ashwin deceives him, pushing Murugan into a struggle that threatens more than just the family’s idli business.
Watch the trailer here:
About Idli Kadai
Idli Kadai, produced jointly by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films and Dawn Pictures, was initially slated for release on April 10. The production team has now confirmed that the film will hit theatres worldwide on October 1. The film features Dhanush and Nithya Menen in lead roles, with Arun Vijay playing the antagonist. Industry sources suggest that the face-off between the two actors will be a major highlight. Shalini Pandey also plays a significant role in the project.
The story follows Murugan, played by Dhanush, whose father runs a beloved idli shack cherished by locals. While Murugan ventures into hotel management and achieves success working under Ashwin, portrayed by Arun Vijay, tensions rise at home as his father misses the hands-on care and traditional methods of running the family business. When Murugan faces betrayal and the stakes increase, he must fight to protect not just his father’s idli shop, but the legacy and values it represents
Cinematography is handled by Kiran Koushik, while music has been composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar. Idli Kadai is directed by Dhanush himself, adding another directorial venture to his career.
The project was officially announced in September 2024 under the working titles D52 and DD4, marking Dhanush’s 52nd film as an actor and his fourth as a director. The official title, Idli Kadai, was revealed shortly after the announcement. Principal photography began the same month, primarily in Chennai, with select portions filmed in Thailand. The shoot concluded by late April 2025.
