Jiiva's Tamil political satire was a surprise word-of-mouth hit during the Pongal season in mid-January. Almost a month after its theatrical release, the film, directed by Malayali filmmaker Nitish Sahadev ("Falimy"), is landing on streaming. Netflix is streaming the comic entertainer from Feb. 12.
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil revolves around Jeevarathinam, a village panchayat leader (Jiiva) who must deal with a simple rural event that snowballs into a seemingly uncontainable, chaotic chain of events.
The film unfolds in a small village where preparations are underway for a wedding. On the eve of the ceremony, a sudden death in the neighbourhood sparks a clash between two families — both insisting on using the same auspicious morning time for their respective rituals.
As tensions rise, Jeevarathinam must navigate egos, traditions, and rural politics to prevent a major explosive conflict. The narrative weaves situational comedy, social commentary, and character interactions, keeping much of the action confined to one intense night.
General reviews praised the film for its humour, writing, and engaging scenes, calling it a good festival watch and family entertainer. Some reviews described it as familiar but enjoyable, with a balanced mix of comedy and drama. Audience responses highlighted the film’s engaging narrative and character performances, especially from Jiiva in the lead role.
Produced by Kannan Ravi, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil has a script co-written by Sanjo Joseph, Nithish Sahadev and Anuraj O. B.