Movie Title : Idli Kottu
Release Date : Oct 1, 2025
Casting : Dhanush, Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Samuthirakani, RajkiranDirector : Dhanush
Producers : Aakash Baskaran, Dhanush
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer : Kiran Koushik
Editor : Prasanna GK
Filmycycle.com Rating : ⭐ ⭐
Idil Kottu: Execution syndrome (2/5)
Starring Dhanush and Nithya Menen as the lead pair, a film titled, Idli Kottu has released on October 1st, 2025. Let’s Review it.
Synopsis:
In the bustling lanes of Shankarapuram, Shiva Kesavudu (Rajkiran) runs a modest idli shop that is not just his livelihood, but his pride and identity. His son Murali (Dhanush), however, aspires for something far beyond the small-town life. With ambitions fueled by modern comforts and dreams of global success, Murali completes his hotel management degree and finds himself in Bangkok, where he rises quickly as a business partner in the renowned AFC food empire owned by Vishnu Vardhan (Sathyaraj).
Murali’s dedication and integrity earn him Vishnu Vardhan’s trust, to the point where he proposes his daughter Meera (Shalini Pandey) as Murali’s life partner. Just as life seems to fall perfectly into place, a sudden twist compels Murali to return to Shankarapuram. What follows is an emotional journey where Murali must reconcile his ambitions with his roots and ultimately, fulfill the cherished dream his father once held close to his heart.
Performances:
Idli Kottu may follow a straightforward storyline, but it stands out through the emotional depth woven into both halves of the film. Dhanush anchors the narrative with his trademark ease, bringing authenticity and charm to his role. His performance in the sentimental moments is particularly impactful and is bound to resonate with the audience. Nitya Menen complements him beautifully as his love interest, and their on-screen chemistry, once again, feels effortless and engaging.
On the other hand, Arun Vijay and Samuthirakani step into the antagonist roles with conviction. Arun Vijay stands out as the arrogant, wealthy rival, while Samuthirakani effectively drives the village conflict as Dhanush’s adversary, adding weight to the drama. Rajkiran, as Dhanush’s father, leaves a strong mark with an emotional performance that elevates the film’s core sentiment. Shalini Pandey and Sathyaraj fit seamlessly into their roles and shine especially in the climax, while Parthiban delivers a solid act in his part.
Analysis:
As Dhanush himself pointed out, Idli Kottu is built on a very simple storyline, with its strength lying primarily in the emotional moments. Viewers looking for a layered or unpredictable plot may feel underwhelmed, as the narrative largely follows a familiar path.The pacing is uneven, and enjoying the film requires overlooking this drawback. While the first half provides some engaging sequences, the momentum slackens post-interval.
The latter portions shift into a routine hero-versus-villain track, causing the film to lose its emotional core for a considerable stretch.The rich–poor divide and the underlying message about valuing one’s roots and parental love are tried-and-tested themes. Though meaningful, they evoke a sense of déjà vu, reminding audiences of similar stories from the past and slightly diminishing the freshness of the experience.
Technical Department:
G.V. Prakash Kumar delivers a decent set of songs, while his background score proves far more effective, heightening the emotional beats of the film. Kiran Koushik’s cinematography captures the rustic charm of the countryside with authenticity, and the editing supports the director’s storytelling approach.On the technical front, the production values are solid, and Peter Hein’s action choreography is executed with finesse.
As a director, Dhanush succeeds in bringing out the emotional core of the film, though the second half loses focus by leaning too heavily on conventional commercial elements instead of maintaining the same depth throughout.
Verdict:
Altogether, Idli Kottu comes across as a slow-burn family drama that manages to strike a few emotional chords, particularly in the first half. However, the narrative loses steam post-interval, slipping into a predictable hero–villain formula that dilutes the overall impact. While Dhanush delivers a fine performance along with a strong supporting cast, the familiar storyline and a less engaging latter half make the film a passable, rather than memorable, watch.
