Thalaivan Thalaivii: A Shorter, Big-Budget Version Of a Saas-Bahu Serial Or Something More?
Thalaivan Thalaivii may follow the familiar saas-bahu formula, but its nonlinear storytelling, humorous tone, and standout performances by Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen elevate it beyond cliché.
Familiar Drama, Fresh Execution: Thalaivan Thalaivii Is More Than Just a Glorified TV Serial ( Photo Credit – Instagram )
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The plot of is Thalaivan Thalaivii is a stereotypical television serial cliché at its highest. The protagonist and his wife are happily married, but the only problem is that the mother-in-law and sister-in-law come between them. However, unlike most serials, here the wife can hold her own, and it’s the poor husband who ends up caught in the middle of their catfight. So, like any typical TV serial, should you wait to watch it on the small screen, or should you make the effort to watch it in theatres?
The Positive Aspects of Thalaivan Thalaivii
Starting with the positives, the first standout is its non-linear storytelling. In a predictable movie like this, a linear narrative would have made the experience dull, as we could easily predict what was going to happen next. The film knows its genre and doesn’t try to engage the audience emotionally. We don’t feel much sympathy for any of the characters, except occasionally for Vijay Sethupathi’s.
The entire focus is on delivering humor, but without relying too heavily on cheap tricks. The film is packed with chaos and family drama. Both Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen deliver exceptional performances, bringing their respective characters to life. The background music, for the most part, supports the scenes effectively. Overall, the film can be considered engaging and worthwhile.
Now coming to the negative aspects, the first and foremost is the plot. We’ve seen this kind of story time and again; there’s nothing new here. But is that really a bad thing if the audience is still enjoying it? Some viewers might feel that the conflict and the reasoning behind the characters’ actions are childish. However, even in real life, ego clashes can be triggered by reasons just as trivial.
The story tends to be more repetitive than necessary, and the runtime feels a bit stretched. What we, as the audience, expected from the initial setup with all the different character introductions and buildup doesn’t really pay off in the end.
It’s not a serious film, and it shouldn’t be taken as one. As long as the audience approaches it with the right expectations, Thalaivan Thalaivii can still be an enjoyable watch.
Answer to the Primary Question
So, to answer the initial question, is it a shorter big budget version of a saas bahu serial or something more? Yes and no. The core plot is definitely derived from that template, but the end result is different enough to be genuinely enjoyable. This film isn’t targeted solely at the kind of audience that typically enjoys those serials. That said, it doesn’t mean that fans of such serials won’t enjoy it too. But what stands out is that even viewers who can’t stand low-budget, low-effort, assembly-line, long-running serials are likely to find this film entertaining.
