“Kadhalikka Neramillai” (2025) Film Review

Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi (wife of Udhayanidhi Stalin) attempts a modern extension of Maniratnam’s OK Kanmani in a romantic comedy that is fuelled by woke ideology and modernist views. The result is a patronizing look at the challenges of modern relationships in a story that reflects the way a small percentage of young people see marriage and commitment. These views are expanded to create the impression that they represent the collective modern view in Kadhallikka Neramillai. Ravi Mohan and Nithya Menen play the lead roles, supported by TJ Bhanu, John Kokken, Vinay Rai, Yogi Babu, playback singer Mano, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Lal, Vidyuleka Raman and child star Rohaan Singh.

Shriya (Nithya Menen) has a modern and open lifestyle that sees her often in loggerheads with her conservative mother (Lakshmy Ramakrishnan) but has solid support from her father (Mano). She is engaged to Karan (John Kokken) and has, without her parents’ consent, legally married him. Siddharth (Ravi Mohan) is engaged to Nirupama (TJ Bhanu) but he completely shuns commitment and is totally against having children. How the lives of these two couple intertwine forms the rest of the story.

Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi tries to portray young people as people without a moral and values compass who live purely by instinct and without any restraint. The result is the creation of a huge distance between audiences and the central characters. Unbridled sexuality and a surprising objectification of girls form the basis of this story that is so woke that it includes the compulsory woke gay couple – a story arc that seemed to have little relevance to the main narrative.

The result is a series of events that are contrived and distant and it is only in the last 30 minutes of the film that the audience is able to establish a relationship with the characters.

The single factor that makes this film watchable is the sterling performance by Nithya Menen whose acting talents deserved a better role in a better film. The strength of her performance comes from her truly powerful expressions. TJ Bhanu is impressive as is Vinodhini Vaidyanathan. Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, Mano, Vinay Rai and Yogi Babu are all wasted in their respective roles. It is a good performance from child star Rohaan Singh.

A rom-com deserved a better soundtrack than that delivered by AR Rahman while the background score makes no positive contribution to the film.

Gavemic U Ary follows a very clichéd path with TV-style lighting and angles.

Apart from the last 30 minutes of the film, the scripting is superficial, the story predictable and the sentiments quite foreign to Tamil culture. While some may applaud this “modern” way of life, conservatives would prefer a more valued-based approach to the portrayal of people in general and women in particular.

Kadhalikka Neramillai scores 5 points out of 10.