The pre-release event of Thai Kizhavi, produced by Passion Studios and Sivakarthikeyan Productions, and directed by debutant Sivakumar Murugesan, took place today. The film stars veteran actress Radhika in the lead role.
Producer’s Speech
Representing Sivakarthikeyan Productions, Kala said that the banner continues to focus on producing quality content and that Thai Kizhavi marks their ninth production. The film was initiated based on Sivakarthikeyan’s strong belief in the story and the director. After watching the rough cut, Sivakarthikeyan appreciated the team’s efforts. She praised director Sivakumar’s talent and thanked Radhika for her wholehearted cooperation. The film is set to release in theatres on February 27.
R. Sarathkumar
Attending as a special guest, Sarathkumar praised Radhika’s performance in the titular role. He noted that both his film Aazhi and Thai Kizhavi are releasing on the same day and expressed happiness over his wife’s achievement. He highlighted that portraying such a strong rural maternal figure requires dedication and confidence, qualities Radhika possesses as she nears 50 years in cinema. He also appreciated the director for sensitively portraying the struggles faced by women living independently.
Technical Team
Cinematographer Vivek Vijayakumar expressed gratitude for the opportunity, calling it a dream debut stage moment.
Editor Sean Lokesh described the film as a rare and special project.
Art director Ramu Thangaraj emphasized that the film speaks powerfully about women.
Music composer Nivas K. Prasanna thanked the producers and said audiences would speak about the film after its release.
Lyricists Karumathur Manimaran and Jagan shared their experiences of writing emotionally intense songs for the film.
Cast Reactions
Actors including Balasaravanan, Aruldoss, Singampuli, Ilavarasu, and Muthukumar praised the film’s strong storytelling and Radhika’s performance, predicting awards and critical acclaim.
Actress Rachel expressed happiness at seeing a woman portrayed as the hero and said playing Radhika’s daughter was personally meaningful.
Director Arunraja Kamaraj stated that the film would be far more impactful than Kanaa and that several scenes would deeply move audiences.
Director Cibi Chakaravarthi praised Sivakumar for effectively utilizing the rural entertainer space and predicted national recognition for the team.
Radhika’s Emotional Speech
Radhika reflected on her 48-year journey in cinema, crediting love, belief, and determination for her longevity. She thanked Sivakarthikeyan and director Sivakumar for giving her another turning point in her career.
She revealed that the story was originally conceived for Rajinikanth, but was later adapted with a female lead. She shared that her inspiration for undergoing four hours of heavy makeup came from Kamal Haasan, recalling his advice that the character—not the actor—should be visible on screen.
Radhika expressed regret that her mentor Bharathiraja and her late mother could not witness this milestone. She proudly declared herself the daughter of legendary actor M. R. Radha, saying the film serves as her answer to those who once doubted her.
Sivakarthikeyan’s Address
Sivakarthikeyan greeted the team and reflected on his journey from small roles to becoming a leading actor. He explained that his production house was born from a desire to support talented friends like Arunraja Kamaraj. He listed previous productions such as Kanaa, Doctor, Don, Kottukkaali, and Kurangu Pedal, expressing particular satisfaction over Kottukkaali’s success.
He shared that after hearing the story of Thai Kizhavi, he immediately decided to collaborate again with Sivakumar. He clarified that his aim in producing films is not competition, but giving back to the industry that gave him fame and recognition. He concluded by inviting families to watch Thai Kizhavi in theatres on February 27, expressing confidence that audiences will appreciate it.
