Idli Kadai Movie Review: Finally, after a long wait, the much-awaited Idli Kadai movie has hit theatres on October 1, 2025. It is Dhanush’s fourth directorial venture after Pa Paandi (2017), Raayan (2024), and Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (2025), and he has done a wonderful job. Wearing the cap of director and lead actor, Dhanush has hit it out of the park with Idli Kadai. Through this Idli Kadai review, we will discuss everything in detail about this much-awaited Idli Kadai.
Idli Kadai Movie Overview and Rating
- Release Date: 1st October, 2025
- Director & Writer: Dhanush
- Producers: Aakash Baskaran & Dhanush
- Stars: Dhanush, Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, R. Parthiban, P. Samuthirakani and Rajkiran
- Runtime: 147 minutes
- Banners: Wunderbar Films & Dawn Pictures
- Rating: 3/5
Read Also: Idly Kadai first X review: Dhanush’s Emotional Tamil Drama Wins Hearts!
Idli Kadaai Plot

Idli Kadai takes us to Murugan’s (played by Dhanush) humble eatery, which is the idli shop that has become a metaphor for family values, tradition, and resilience. The film beautifully tells us the life struggles of Murugan and his determination to live peacefully without falling into the competitive rat race. The Idli Kadai plot focuses majorly on the themes of non-violence, village culture, love, and generational ties, and takes us on an emotional ride.
The show’s emotional core is built on the father-son relationship. The first half of the Idli Kadai is very promising, and it majorly captivates with humor, romance, and family warmth. But the second half gets serious with some, but it still manages to leave an impact.
Performances
Dhanush is the star, as he played his role of Murugan. He was as effortless in every scene, and fans are obsessed with the way he elevates every scene. He was very natural while showing the emotional outbursts, comedic timings, and heartfelt speeches. His two-minute pre-climax dialogue struck audiences deeply, and it will stay in people’s hearts for a long time.
Nithya Menen is good, as she added much-needed freshness and charm to the narrative, and Arun Vijay plays his role with maturity. Veteran actor Raj Kiran has shown who he is, one of the best, as he delivers heart-touching performances. Shalini Pandey’s character could have been explored, but she was accurate in pieces.
Audience Reactions on Idli Kadai
Early social media buzz has been largely positive. Fans are calling it “the perfect family entertainer” as it offers the perfect and right balance of emotions, love, fun, and action. The thrilling eagle scene in the second half gave “goosebumps”, and it is one of the best highlights of the show.
But a few fans had a problem with the movies. We felt that the second half lacked the sharpness of the first, and its focus on the melodrama has backfired, yet Dhanush’s performance was the standout element.
Box Office Outlook
Though Idli Kadai opened to a modest response at the box office, we feel that it would be difficult for the movie to succeed in the long run because October 2 is all set to see Kantara’s release, which will impact the film’s earnings. With that being said, much positive word-of-mouth can boost evening and weekend shows. Its family-centric appeal, coupled with strong performances, can invite a lot of family audiences who want to see the family drama.

Baap of Movies Final Verdict
Overall, in this Idli Kadai movie review, we have seen how Dhanush has once again proved why he is regarded as one of Tamil cinema’s most gifted storytellers. Though the movie has a very predictable narrative and a slightly uneven second half, the film rides on the able shoulders of Dhanush, who made it watchable. Kadai is a rooted rural drama, and it will work as your wholesome family entertainer, and this will remind audiences of the importance of simplicity, love, and tradition.
Watch it for Dhanush’s soulful performance, and if you are looking for a family entertainer.
Watch Idli Kadai Trailer
Note
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