Sivakarthikeyan gifts Mahindra BE 6 to 'Thaai Kizhavi' director on 100-day milestone
Synopsis
Sivakarthikeyan handed director Sivakumar Murugesan a brand-new Mahindra BE 6 electric car to mark Thaai Kizhavi's 100-day run — a rare milestone for a Tamil film without a conventional star hero. Lead actress Radhikaa Sarathkumar had earlier predicted the director would 'create a new wave in cinema,' and the film's centenary celebration suggests that wave may already be building.
Key Takeaways
Sivakarthikeyan gifted a Mahindra BE 6 electric car to director Sivakumar Murugesan on 8 July to mark Thaai Kizhavi 's 100-day theatrical run.
Sivakarthikeyan Productions celebrated the milestone by honouring the film's artists, technicians, distributors, and exhibitors.
Lead actress Radhikaa Sarathkumar quoted Kamal Haasan at the success meet, saying a successful film ensures every contributor — including the director — gets noticed.
The film achieved its box-office success without the elevated ticket prices common to big-star releases, according to Radhikaa Sarathkumar .
A 100-day run is a rare benchmark in Tamil cinema, especially for a story-driven film without a conventional top-line male star.
Actor-producer Sivakarthikeyan on 8 July gifted a brand-new Mahindra BE 6 electric car to Thaai Kizhavi director Sivakumar Murugesan, marking the Tamil film's successful 100-day theatrical run. The gesture by Sivakarthikeyan Productions came as the production house celebrated the milestone with tributes to the cast, crew, distributors, and exhibitors who contributed to what it called a 'Mega Blockbuster.'
The Celebration and the Gift
Sivakarthikeyan Productions shared photographs of the car presentation on its social media handles, captioning the post: 'A special gift for a journey we'll always be proud of. #ThaaiKizhavi100 #ThaaiKizhavi.' The production house also posted a broader message of gratitude: '100 glorious days of #ThaaiKizhavi. Celebrating this incredible milestone by honouring the artists, technicians, distributors, exhibitors and everyone who made this journey possible.'
What Radhikaa Sarathkumar Said About the Director
Lead actress Radhikaa Sarathkumar, who headlined the film, had spoken effusively about Sivakumar Murugesan at the film's earlier success meet. Recalling advice from veteran actor Kamal Haasan, she quoted him as saying: 'Radhika, this film should succeed. If the film is good, you will be appreciated, but if the film becomes a success, everyone involved in it, including director Sivakumar Murugesan, will be noticed.'
She went further, predicting a significant career trajectory for the director: 'I strongly feel that Sivakumar Murugesan will create a new wave in cinema just like Bharathiraja sir once did. This film has elevated everyone who worked on it.'
Why the Film's Success Stands Out
Radhikaa Sarathkumar notably pointed out that Thaai Kizhavi achieved its commercial success without the inflated ticket prices that often accompany big-star releases — making its box-office performance a genuine indicator of audience demand. She described the film's emotional core as its true differentiator: 'Thaai Kizhavi has touched the core of human emotions. It speaks about people realising their mistakes and correcting themselves, and in many ways the film conveys a message about men listening to the voice and soul of women, especially in a world where the younger generation is watching and learning.'
The actress also noted that producers were reportedly calling theatre owners directly to check on the film's collections — an unusual sign of the industry-wide curiosity the film had generated.
Significance for Tamil Cinema
A 100-day theatrical run is a rare and celebrated benchmark in Tamil cinema, particularly for a film that does not feature an established top-line male star. Thaai Kizhavi's run signals a growing appetite among Tamil audiences for story-driven, emotion-led cinema. For director Sivakumar Murugesan, the car gift and the public recognition mark a significant moment of arrival in the industry. The film's journey from production to centenary celebration underscores Sivakarthikeyan's role not just as an actor but as a producer willing to back unconventional subject matter.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is how Thaai Kizhavi got to 100 days. Tamil cinema's blockbuster economy has long been built around star-driven spectacle and inflated opening-weekend ticket prices — Thaai Kizhavi reportedly bypassed both. If a film led by Radhikaa Sarathkumar, directed by a first-time-mainstream director, can run 100 days on story alone, it is a signal the industry would be unwise to treat as a one-off. Sivakarthikeyan's willingness to produce and promote such a project also reframes his off-screen identity — from bankable star to genuine content curator.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sivakarthikeyan gift to Thaai Kizhavi director Sivakumar Murugesan?
Sivakarthikeyan gifted a brand-new Mahindra BE 6 electric car to director Sivakumar Murugesan on 8 July to celebrate the film Thaai Kizhavi completing 100 days in theatres. The gift was presented by Sivakarthikeyan Productions as part of a broader milestone celebration honouring the film's cast and crew.
Why is Thaai Kizhavi's 100-day run significant?
A 100-day theatrical run is a rare achievement in Tamil cinema, particularly for a film that does not feature a conventional top-line male star. The film reportedly succeeded without elevated ticket prices, making its sustained box-office performance a genuine reflection of audience reception.
What did Radhikaa Sarathkumar say about director Sivakumar Murugesan?
At the film's success meet, Radhikaa Sarathkumar predicted that Sivakumar Murugesan would 'create a new wave in cinema just like Bharathiraja sir once did.' She also quoted Kamal Haasan as saying that a successful film ensures every contributor, including the director, gets noticed by the industry.
Who produced Thaai Kizhavi?
Thaai Kizhavi was produced by Sivakarthikeyan Productions, the production house of actor Sivakarthikeyan. The film starred Radhikaa Sarathkumar in the lead role and was directed by Sivakumar Murugesan.
What message did Thaai Kizhavi convey, according to its lead actress?
According to Radhikaa Sarathkumar, the film 'touches the core of human emotions' and conveys a message about people recognising their mistakes and correcting themselves. She described it as a film about men listening to the voice and soul of women, particularly relevant for younger audiences.
