Over 300% ROI in 12 days: How Sivakarthikeyan's Tamil rural film starring a 63-year-old actress became surprise box office hit

Tamil cinema has found an underdog success story in Thaai Kizhavi, a rural comedy-drama led by veteran actress Radikaa Sarathkumar. The film, which features the 63-year-old actress in a powerful central role, has turned into a surprise box office hit within days of its release. Backed by Sivakarthikeyan under his banner SK Productions, the movie has managed to impress both audiences and critics.

Directed by debutant Sivakumar Murugesan, Thaai Kizhavi was released in theatres on February 27. What initially appeared to be a small rural drama has quickly grown into one of the biggest success stories in Tamil cinema this year. With strong word of mouth and steady audience turnout, the film crossed the Rs 50 crore mark worldwide within just ten days of its release.

A small budget Tamil movie with massive returns

The film opened to promising numbers at the box office. According to Sacnilk.com, on its first day, it collected around Rs 2.5 crore net in India, which was considered a strong start for a movie of its scale. Over the weekend, collections improved further as family audiences and regular moviegoers responded positively to the story and performances.



The momentum did not slow down in the following days. Within nearly two weeks, the film’s domestic earnings crossed Rs 43 crore, while its worldwide collections surpassed Rs 50 crore. What makes this achievement even more impressive is the film’s relatively small budget.

According to Koimoi report, it suggest that Thaai Kizhavi was made for around Rs 9 crore. Against that investment, the film has already generated returns of more than 300 per cent at the Indian box office. Trade estimates suggest the return on investment stands at around 321 per cent, which comfortably places the film in the “super hit” category.

The success also highlights the growing appetite for content-driven films in Tamil cinema. Despite lacking the massive budgets or star-heavy casts often associated with big blockbusters, Thaai Kizhavi has managed to grabbed audiences' attention through its story, humour and emotional depth.

Radikaa Sarathkumar’s powerful performance

One of the biggest talking points about the film has been Radikaa Sarathkumar’s performance. In the movie, she plays Pavunuthaayi, a strong-willed 70-year-old moneylender who refuses to give up control of her wealth despite pressure from her family.

The story takes an emotional turn when Pavunuthaayi becomes paralysed, prompting her greedy sons to return in hopes of discovering where she has hidden her fortune. The narrative mixes humour with drama while exploring themes such as greed, family relationships and women’s independence.

The film also features actors including Singampuli, Aruldoss, Bala Saravanan, Munishkanth and Ilavarasu in key roles. Their performances, combined with the film’s rural setting and humour, have contributed to its wide appeal among audiences.

A rare pay deal in Tamil cinema

Apart from the film’s commercial success, another aspect that has drawn attention is Radikaa Sarathkumar’s pay arrangement. Speaking at the film’s success event, the actress revealed that she received not only her salary but also a share of the film’s profits.

She praised producers Sivakarthikeyan and Sudhan for taking this step, stating that such arrangements have traditionally been offered mainly to male stars in the industry. According to Radikaa, this gesture is an important shift in the way female actors are compensated.

The actress described the move as a major moment for the industry, saying it could open new opportunities for women in cinema. She expressed hope that more producers would adopt similar practices in the future.

With strong collections, positive reviews and industry discussions around its success model, Thaai Kizhavi has proven that compelling storytelling and powerful performances can still drive box office success.