Jonita Gandhi on Idhayam Murali debut: 'Geetha Miss was meaningful'
Synopsis
Jonita Gandhi's Instagram note about playing Geetha Miss in Idhayam Murali is more than a thank-you — it signals a quietly significant crossover: one of India's most recognised playback singers stepping in front of the Tamil camera for the first time, dubbing her own lines, and earning a warm welcome from one of the industry's rising directors.
Key Takeaways
Jonita Gandhi plays school teacher Geetha Miss in Tamil romantic drama Idhayam Murali , directed by Aakash Baskaran .
This is Gandhi's first acting role in Tamil cinema ; she also dubbed her own dialogue in Tamil.
The film stars Atharvaa Murali , Preity Mukhundhan , and Kayadu Lohar in the lead roles.
Music director Thaman makes an acting comeback in the film and has also composed its music.
Cinematography is by Manoj Paramahamsa ; the film is co-directed by Senthilkumar Kesavan .
Singer-actress Jonita Gandhi has shared a heartfelt note of gratitude after her first acting role in Tamil cinema — playing school teacher Geetha Miss in director Aakash Baskaran's romantic drama Idhayam Murali. The film, starring Atharvaa Murali, Preity Mukhundhan, and Kayadu Lohar in the lead, has been among the most anticipated Tamil releases of the year.
Jonita Gandhi Describes Geetha Miss
Taking to Instagram, Gandhi introduced her character with warmth: 'Meet Geetha Miss. The kind of teacher whose kindness stays with you long after you've left her classroom. Warm, compassionate, and quietly reassuring… she's the sort of person who sees the best in people and gently nudges them toward believing in themselves.'
The singer, widely known for her Hindi and Tamil playback work, said she had deliberately held back details about the role until the film's release. 'I've been waiting to introduce you to her (didn't want to say much until the film was finally out)!' she wrote.
A Milestone: First Tamil Acting Role
Gandhi described the experience as deeply meaningful, noting it marked her first foray into Tamil acting. 'This little feature became such a meaningful experience for me. It's my first acting role in Tamil cinema, and getting to share the screen with some incredible actors made it even more of a valuable learning experience,' she said.
Notably, she also dubbed her own lines in Tamil — a challenge she called both special and demanding. 'I even dubbed for myself, which made it all the more special (and challenging),' she added.
Gratitude to Director and Team
Gandhi reserved particular thanks for director Aakash Baskaran and production house Dawn Pictures: 'A huge thank you to Aakash Baskaran, Dawn Pictures, and the entire team for welcoming me so warmly and trusting me with Geetha Miss.' She described Idhayam Murali as 'a sweet film full of lighthearted, relatable moments that are bound to make you smile' and urged audiences to watch it.
About Idhayam Murali
Atharvaa Murali plays the title character, a young man in New York who is called back to India for his own wedding — a setup that, according to the film's teaser, sets the stage for a story rooted in unrequited love. At the title launch, Atharvaa had dedicated the film to everyone who has experienced one-sided love.
The film also marks a notable acting comeback for celebrated music director Thaman, who was last seen on screen in director Shankar's Boys. Thaman has also composed the film's music, making his dual contribution one of the talking points around the project. The supporting cast includes Natty, Niharika NM, Rakshan, Dravid, Angeline, Pragya, Sudhakar, and Yashashree.
Cinematography is by Manoj Paramahamsa, editing by Pradeep E Ragav, and the film is co-directed by Senthilkumar Kesavan. Dialogues are credited to Ramanagirivasan, Aakash Baskaran, and Dravid Selvam.
With Jonita Gandhi's Tamil acting debut generating buzz and Thaman's dual role drawing attention, Idhayam Murali arrives with considerable anticipation — and audiences will now have a new reason to look out for Geetha Miss on screen.
Point of View
Lending instant audience warmth to a supporting role that could easily have been forgettable. The fact that she dubbed her own Tamil lines is the detail that matters most: it signals genuine commitment rather than a cameo. For Tamil cinema, which has a long tradition of absorbing crossover talent, this is less a novelty and more a natural next step — the real question is whether Gandhi will pursue acting further or treat Idhayam Murali as a one-off. Thaman's dual presence as both composer and actor adds another layer of curiosity to a film that seems designed to win audiences on charm rather than spectacle.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jonita Gandhi playing in Idhayam Murali?
Jonita Gandhi plays a school teacher named Geetha Miss in Idhayam Murali. She describes the character as warm, compassionate, and quietly reassuring — someone who sees the best in people and encourages them to believe in themselves.
Is Idhayam Murali Jonita Gandhi's first Tamil film?
Yes, Idhayam Murali marks Jonita Gandhi's first acting role in Tamil cinema. She also dubbed her own lines in Tamil for the film, which she described as both a special and challenging experience.
Who directed Idhayam Murali and who are the lead actors?
Idhayam Murali is directed by Aakash Baskaran and co-directed by Senthilkumar Kesavan. The film stars Atharvaa Murali, Preity Mukhundhan, and Kayadu Lohar in the lead roles, with music by Thaman.
What is the story of Idhayam Murali?
The film follows a character named Idhayam Murali, played by Atharvaa, who is based in New York and is unexpectedly called back to India for his own wedding. Atharvaa dedicated the film to everyone who has experienced one-sided love.
What is Thaman's role in Idhayam Murali?
Music director Thaman has a dual role in Idhayam Murali — he composed the film's music and also appears as an actor, marking his return to acting after his appearance in director Shankar's film Boys.
