Thalaimai Seyalagam Movie Review

Starring: Kishore, Sriya Reddy, Bharath, Ramya Nambessan, Aditya Menon, Kani Kusruti, Niroop Nandakumar, Darsha Gupta, Sarah Black, Siddharth Vipin, YGM, Santhana Bharathi, Kavitha Bharathi 

Written & Directed by: G. Vasanthabalan

Producer: Radikaa Sarathkumar, R. Sarathkumar

Production House: Radaan Mediaworks India Limited

DOP:  Wide angle Ravishankar

Music: Ghibran 

Additional Background Score : Simon K King

Art director: V Sasikumar

Action: Don Ashok

Editor: Ravikumar M

Sound Design: Rajesh Saseendran

Mix: Kavi Arun

DI: Mangopost

VFX&CG: Shade69 Studios

Executive Producers- Pooja Sarathkumar, Krishna 

Chandar Elango

Line Production Executive - Prabhaahar J

Vasanthabalan further wanted to correct the stereotypical portrayal of politicians in Tamil cinema. "Cinema has made a stereotype out of politicians, that they’re always corrupt and evil. With Thalaimai Seyalagam, I wanted to break that stereotype and show the audience what happens inside the CM's house, or how he is as humane as the rest of us," the director shares about Kishore's character, Chief Minister Arunachalam. 

Apart from Kishore and Sriya, the series also stars Bharath, Ramya Nambessan, Aditya Menon, Kani Kusruti, Santhana Bharathi, Niroop Nandakumar, and more. Ramya says that while Vasanthabalan sir was the most convincing factor to take up the project, she had her doubts about her character, Amudhavalli, the CM's daughter and Finance Minister. "Initially, I had my doubts regarding the scope of my character. I am selfish about my screen space and character. I tortured Vasanthabalan sir during the shoot to know if my character had a prominent arc, only because I wished to bring my best foot forward on screen," she shares.

he says. However, Ramya contradicts saying, "It is very easy for men to ask women to raise their voices to change their situation. I am indeed glad that there are men like Vasanthabalan sir who take our side. Please don’t give us freedom, provide us a way to enjoy said freedom." 

Ramya's character Amudhavalli is said to be in constant conflict with Kottravai for power. When asked if their characters are true to the notion that women are women's worst enemies, she begs to differ. "It is a stereotype that women are women’s enemies. To give you the best example of women supporting women, take the Women’s Cinema Collective in Malayalam cinema that has paved the way for an Internal Complaints Council to protect women. Yes, there are some women discouraging others, but even that comes due to the insecurities that this society roots in women's minds. Perhaps, education is the one thing that will further help women provide support to each other.

Thalaimai Seyalagam touches upon feudalism and the rise of Naxalism to battle it. On whether he endorses violence as a solution to battle oppression, the director circles back to Gandhi and says, "According to me, citizens should react to every injustice they face. I follow Gandhian principles, and no matter how violent revolts are at the beginning, change can only happen when the methods are non-violent. And so, the series will also conclude by showing that change can only be brought about from the place where it is all decided, the government, or the Thalaimai Seyalagam."