Madhavan hails Tamil hit 'Modha Rathri' as brilliant must-watch
Synopsis
Two of Tamil cinema's biggest names — Madhavan and Dhanush — have now publicly hailed 'Modha Rathri', a first-timer-driven rural comedy, as unmissable. With an established box-office run and A-list endorsements rolling in weeks after release, the film is shaping up as one of the year's most unlikely Tamil success stories.
Key Takeaways
Madhavan praised 'Modha Rathri' on Instagram on 6 October 2026 , calling it 'brilliant' and a must-watch.
Dhanush had previously posted on X calling the film 'heartwarming' and urging families to watch it in theatres.
The rural comedy, directed by debut filmmaker Raja Karuppasamy , released on 21 August 2026 with a U/A certificate .
The film stars debutant hero Rishikanth and actress Anishma Anilkumar , who previously featured in 'Sirai' and 'Youth' .
Produced by Mythri Movie Makers , the film is set over a single night at a village wedding filled with comedy and emotion.
Actor Madhavan has lavished praise on the Tamil rural comedy 'Modha Rathri', directed by Raja Karuppasamy, calling it 'brilliant' and urging audiences to watch it without fail. The actor took to his Instagram page on 6 October 2026 to celebrate the film, which stars debutant hero Rishikanth and actress Anishma Anilkumar in the lead roles.
What Madhavan Said
In an effusive post, Madhavan wrote: 'What a brilliant, brilliant film! Enjoyed a Tamil film after a really long time. Brilliant screenplay, wonderful visual storytelling, extraordinary performances. I laughed hard after a long, long time and cheered and clapped as well. A big standing ovation to the entire team, cast and crew. God bless you with more power.' The endorsement from one of Tamil cinema's most recognisable faces adds considerable weight to a film that has already established itself as a box-office success.
Dhanush Had Already Cheered the Team On
Madhavan is not the first prominent voice to celebrate 'Modha Rathri'. National Award-winning actor-director Dhanush had earlier posted on X: '#ModhaRathri is such a heartwarming film. Have to applaud this wonderful effort by a bunch of first-timers. Please don't miss it in theatres with your families! #RajaKaruppasamy @iam_rishikanth #AnishmaAnilkumar.' The back-to-back endorsements from two of Tamil cinema's most-followed figures have amplified the film's visibility significantly.
About the Film
'Modha Rathri' released on 21 August 2026 with a U/A certificate from the Censor Board. The rural comedy is set across a single night at a village wedding that spirals into a cascade of hilarious misunderstandings, unexpected twists, and heartfelt moments. Rishikanth plays a character named Maruthanayagam, marking his debut as a leading man, while Anishma Anilkumar — already appreciated for her work in 'Sirai' and 'Youth' — plays Muthuselvi. The extended ensemble cast includes Chetan, A. Venkatesh, Bucks, Abdool Lee, Shelly Kishore, Sangeetha Balan, Banupriya, Sumithra Devi L., Varshini Karmegham, Karthikeyan, Velan, and Kowshik Kabilan, among others.
The Team Behind the Camera
The film is produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers. Yerneni had said at an earlier event: 'The very first narration made us laugh, smile and imagine how audiences would react inside a theatre. That's when we knew this story deserved to be made.' On the technical side, Surendran Paranjothi handled cinematography, Ashok Arjunan edited the film, and Bharath Sankar composed the music. Costumes were designed by Poornima Ramaswamy and art direction was managed by A. Balumahendra.
What It Means for Tamil Cinema's Newcomers
Director Raja Karuppasamy, speaking ahead of the release, had said: 'I couldn't have asked for a better beginning to my journey as a filmmaker. My heartfelt thanks to producers Naveen Yerneni sir and Y. Ravi Shankar sir for believing in me and trusting this story.' The film's success is being widely read as a validation of fresh, low-budget Tamil storytelling in an era dominated by big-ticket productions. With A-listers queuing up to endorse it, 'Modha Rathri' appears set to inspire a new generation of first-time filmmakers in the industry.
Point of View
Effusive praise from A-list peers with no commercial stake in the film's success. That Madhavan and Dhanush — two figures who rarely need to champion other productions — have gone out of their way to endorse a debut director's low-profile rural comedy says something about the film's quality. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is the significance of this for Tamil cinema's pipeline: studios have long green-lit sequels and franchise projects over original, small-budget storytelling. A grassroots hit backed by organic word-of-mouth and A-list validation could nudge that calculus.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhavan say about 'Modha Rathri'?
Madhavan called 'Modha Rathri' 'brilliant' on Instagram, saying he laughed hard and gave a standing ovation to the entire cast and crew. He described the film as having 'brilliant screenplay, wonderful visual storytelling, extraordinary performances' and urged everyone to watch it.
What is 'Modha Rathri' about?
'Modha Rathri' is a Tamil rural comedy set over a single night at a village wedding that descends into a series of hilarious misunderstandings and heartfelt moments. Directed by debut filmmaker Raja Karuppasamy, it stars Rishikanth and Anishma Anilkumar in the lead roles.
When did 'Modha Rathri' release?
'Modha Rathri' released in theatres on 21 August 2026 with a U/A certificate from the Censor Board. The film went on to emerge as a superhit at the box office.
Did Dhanush also praise 'Modha Rathri'?
Yes, National Award-winning actor-director Dhanush posted on X calling 'Modha Rathri' a 'heartwarming film' and applauded the effort by the first-time team. He urged audiences not to miss it in theatres with their families.
Who are the lead actors in 'Modha Rathri'?
The film stars Rishikanth, who makes his debut as a leading hero, and Anishma Anilkumar, known for her earlier work in 'Sirai' and 'Youth', as the lead pair. Rishikanth plays Maruthanayagam while Anishma Anilkumar plays Muthuselvi.
