Sivanesan owns a humble but well-respectedidli shop in a small village inTheni. His son Murugan grows up around the shop, observing his father's disciplined routine; waking up at 3 a.m., performing prayers, and making idlis that are famous throughout the community. Sivanesan's wife and Murugan's mother, Kasturi, supports the family lovingly.
As Murugan grows older, he dreams of a better life and eventually leaves forMadras to pursue a higher-paying career. Years later, he becomes a successful executive in a restaurant company owned by Vishnu Varadhan. Murugan is engaged to Vishnu's daughter, Meera, with their wedding scheduled in 15 days. Tension arises with Meera's brother and Vishnu's son, the overprotective, impulsive, and troublemaking Ashwin, who smokes, gambles, boxes, and desires money, while resenting Murugan's innocence and his father's admiration of him. Vishnu revealed to Murugan that he pampered him since his wife's (Ashwin's mother) death affected Ashwin hence he brings Ashwin out of trauma.
During the engagement, Murugan receives the news that Sivanesan has died. Accompanied by his colleague Ramarajan, he returns to the village to perform the final rites, while still being pressured to attend the wedding because of its importance and the presence of VIP guests. Back in the village, Murugan reconnects with Kayal, his former high school sweetheart, who resents him for leaving his parents behind. Meanwhile, Kasturi struggles to cope with the loss of her husband; she eventually succumbs to grief and dies.
Murugan is offered the opportunity to sell his father's idli shop to Mariyasami, a powerful localparotta shop owner who wants to marry Kayal and had a rivalry with Sivanesan. Although he considers it, Murugan decides against selling the shop after learning the truth about Mariyasami's rivalry with his father. Murugan attempts to run the shop following his father's methods but fails to recreate the signature idlis, leading to a decline in customers. Feeling desperate, he cries and dreams of his father, who reassures him and inspires him to fully adopt Sivanesan's daily rituals, attire, and cooking techniques. Murugan successfully recreates the idlis, and the shop regains popularity.
Murugan's decision to cancel the wedding infuriates Meera, Ashwin, and Vishnu. Ashwin personally confronts Murugan in a fight, but Murugan defeats him, which fuels Ashwin's hatred and desire for revenge. Despite the danger, Murugan continues to follow his father's principles of peace and non-violence. Ashwin later ambushes Murugan and shoots him, leaving him critically injured. Murugan survives, and when asked who shot him, he says he does not know, further angering Ashwin.
Mariyasami attempts to assert his influence by asking for Kayal's hand in marriage, but she and her mother reject him, declaring she will marry Murugan. Angered, Mariyasami attacks Murugan but is ultimately humbled during the confrontation. At night, Ashwin sets Murugan's idli shop on fire, destroying the place built by Murugan's parents, devastating Murugan. Meera later learns about the incident and confronts him for destroying the shop and threatens to shoot herself while Vishnu tried to stop her. When Ashwin continues speaking ill of Murugan, Vishnu finally tells his son off. Despite this, Murugan refuses to fight violently, choosing to preserve his father's appliances and cooking equipment, and resolves to rebuild the shop with Kayal's help.
Ramarajan stays with Murugan's family to assist in running the shop. Ashwin reconciles with Murugan and apologises, while Meera finally accepts the situation. Vishnu, Meera, and Ashwin are then offered a taste of Murugan's idlis. For a bit of fun, Meera and Vishnu ask Murugan to give Ashwin a small "punishment", so he makes him stir the idli batter, a physically tiring task that leaves Ashwin sweating and everyone laughing.
The film concludes with Murugan and Kayal successfully rebuilding the idli shop, the village enjoying the restored idlis, and the community celebrating the enduring love, traditions, and values passed down from Sivanesan and Kasthuri.
On 17 September 2024, the newly established production house Dawn Pictures, headed by Aakash Baskaran, officially announced through their social media pages their maiden production project.[3] Tentatively titledD52 orDD4, it would be directed by and starDhanush, in his fourth directorial venture.[4][5] Dhanush would also co-produce the project underWunderbar Films. The film's official title,Idli Kadai, was announced on 19 September 2024.[6] The technical crew includes composerG. V. Prakash Kumar, editorPrasanna GK and cinematographer Kiran Koushik.[7] In September 2025, Dhanush claimed the film was inspired by his fondness foridlis during his childhood, at a time he allegedly could not afford to buy the same.[8]
Shortly after the film's announcement, reports surfaced thatAshok Selvan would play an important role, but the actor denied his participation.[9][10]Nithya Menen, who previously won theNational Film Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the Dhanush starrerThiruchitrambalam (2022), told journalist Subhash K. Jha in August 2024 that she would collaborate with Dhanush again for an undisclosed film.[11] She officially confirmed her involvement inIdli Kadai the following October,[12][13] and stated that she is stepping out of her comfort zone for her character.[14]Shalini Pandey accepted to act in the film as it was her long-time desire to collaborate with Dhanush.[15] It marks her return to Tamil cinema afterGorilla (2019).[16]
P. Samuthirakani was cast after a single phone call with Dhanush, and began filming 10 days later.[17]Arun Vijay agreed to join the cast after Dhanush told him the entire script in 45 minutes.[18] An early poster revealed he would play a boxer.[19] Arun, who primarily plays lead roles, said it was his long time desire to play an antagonist like he did inYennai Arindhaal (2015) and acceptedIdli Kadai as he trusted Dhanush.[20] He would reportedly receive₹80 million (US$950,000), way higher than his usual remuneration.[21]R. Parthiban, who was earlier supposed to act with Dhanush inAadukalam (2011) and the shelvedSoodhadi, instantly accepted his offer to appear inIdli Kadai.[22] Dhanush's maternal grandmother made a cameo appearance in the film.[23]
Principal photography commenced with the first schedule on 16 September 2024 at the villages ofTheni district inTamil Nadu.[24] Filming for the first schedule was held in Theni for a month.[25] By mid-October, the team moved toPollachi for a brief schedule.[26] As of March 2025, filming was mostly complete, with only a song sequence left to be shot in an overseas location.[27] In mid-April, the team, including Arun, Parthiban andSathyaraj left to Bangkok for the final schedule.[28] On 20 April 2025, a major fire broke out on the street-like sets erected in Anupapatti village nearAndipatti, with no casualties or injuries reported.[29] During the filming of a fight sequence, a mistimed punch by Dhanush led to Arun bleeding, but the actor quickly returned to filming afterapplying ice near his mouth.[30] Filmingwrapped on 26 April 2025.[31]
The music and background score were composed byG. V. Prakash Kumar.[6] The audio rights were acquired bySaregama.[32] The first single, "Enna Sugam" was released on 27 July 2025, Dhanush's birthday.[33][34] The second single, "Enjaami Thandhaane", was released on 27 August,Ganesh Chaturthi.[35][36] The audio launch took place on 14 September.[37] The third single, "Yen Paattan Saami Varum", was released on 17 September.[38] The complete album consisting of six tracks was released on 25 September.[39]
Promotional campaigns for the film began in mid-August, with the film's posters being branded in popcorn buckets at selected multiplexes across Tamil Nadu.[40] Furthermore, 3D standees and posters were branded across select hoardings, buses, autos, malls and theatres, across Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu.[41][42][43] The trailer forIdli Kadai was released on 20 September 2025 at theProzone Mall, Coimbatore.[44] Pre-release events were held at the Raja Muthaiah Mandram inMadurai on 24 September, and at Morais City inTiruchirappalli on 25 September.[45][46] The team also collaborated withZepto, with the film's posters branded on Zepto delivery bags.[47][48][49]
The film was initially scheduled to be released in theatres on 10 April 2025 during the week ofPuthandu (Tamil New Year),[50] but was removed from that date in March 2025 as filming was not complete by then.[51][52] On 4 April 2025, the makers announced a new release date of 1 October 2025.[53] The film was released in Telugu asIdli Kottu.[54]
The distribution rights for Tamil Nadu were acquired byRed Giant Movies.[55] The theatrical rights in theTelugu states were acquired by Sri Vedakshara Movies.[56] Phars Film acquired the overseas theatrical rights for₹120 million (US$1.4 million).[57][58] Ahimsa Entertainment and Boleyn Cinemas acquired the United Kingdom theatrical rights.[59][60] Malik Streams Corporation acquired the Malaysia theatrical rights.[61]
Sajin Shrijith ofThe Week gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Idly Kadai doesn't breathe the same air as what passes for "new wave" cinema these days. It's decidedly more "old-school" than [Dhanush's] previous directorials".[63] Arjun Menon ofThe Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "The payoffs are too stale and the setups are too lazy to fetch any results, where the obvious goodness of the hero is exemplified and the villains are put down as ghastly, clueless monsters.Idli Kadai is not that kind of a film, it just thinks it can be that".[64]
M. Suganth ofThe Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "what's hard to shake off is the feeling that given his talents, Dhanush should be more ambitious as a storyteller and not be content with just being a nostalgia merchant".[65] Janani K ofIndia Today gave 2/5 stars and wrote, "Despite all its good intentions,Idli Kadai ends up being a predictable affair with minimal surprises and innovation".[66] Avinash Ramachandran ofCinema Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "Even if it makes you roll your eyes for a while, it somehow manages to get you back to the fuzzy zone. Just like the good ol' idlis... soft, warm, and comfortable, even if sometimes, they need better sides".[67]
Rajasekar S ofThe Federal wrote, "Idli Kadai is a heartfelt rural drama that soars in its emotionally resonant first half, powered by stellar performances from Dhanush, Rajkiran, and Nithya Menen. While the second half succumbs to clichés, the film's sincerity, strong music, and tender climax make it a worthwhile watch. It serves as a gentle reminder to cherish one's roots and the simple joys of life even if it doesn't always break new ground".[68] Bhuvanesh Chandar ofThe Hindu wrote, "Idli Kadai never promises to redefine the template. AfterNEEK, Dhanush seems to have dug deeper, perhaps wishing to taste the pleasures of a comfort meal, and this film is just that. It wishes to make you forget about fancy restaurant meals and remind you of a flavour you might have forgotten about, soothe you with its familiarity and leave you with a full heart. It's just good 'ol, soft and fluffy idlis after all. You just need the right ingredients, and that intangible something from the chef.[69]
According to an estimate byMoneycontrol,Idli Kadai grossed₹21 crore (US$2.5 million) in the first two days of release.[70] By 12 October, the film had reportedly grossed₹45 crore (US$5.3 million), andDinamani believed it was unlikely to succeed given the alleged₹70 crore (US$8.3 million) budget, and the release ofKantara: Chapter 1 was also expected to affect the film's performance.[71] In Malaysia,Idli Kadai opened at second place, ahead ofKantara: Chapter 1, before dropping to ninth place in its second week. WhileKantara: Chapter 1 climbed to sixth place and remained in the top ten for a further two weeks,Idli Kadai concluded its theatrical run by the end of its second week.[72]
