‘Modha Rathri’ Movie Review: Rishikanth and Anishma are fantastic in this hilarious, touching comedy drama.

Anishma Anilkumar and Rishikanth in a still from ‘Modha Rathri’ | Photo Credit: Mythri Movie Makers

The temple priest reproaches his master, the folk deity, for not returning it to the villagers, who somehow always manage to dishonor both the deity and the priest. The latest transgression was the pasting of posters on the walls of the temple for a wedding to which they were not formally invited. “Show them you’re here once in a while,” urges the priest, and for the next 140 minutes, this is what happens. Let me clarify: this is not the saami padam that seems to be the theme of the season. This is debutant director Raj Karuppasamy’s Modha Rathri, a comedy drama that taps into the well of human emotions and is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.

But I stand by what I said; the supernatural plays a central role. Not inviting the priest (played by the always impressive Chetan), who we realize is the groom’s uncle, is the first ‘saamikutham’ to threaten the wedding between Maruthanayagam (Rishikanth) and Muthuselvi (Anishma Anilkumar). Superstitions can be true in this world. Before the owner of the furniture can say how auspicious the day is, his worker gets in his way with a log of wood – the same worker whose mistake sends them into an unforgettable night with the bed they made for the titular wedding night. Even the ringing of the temple bell at the right time has immense significance as “God’s consent” which leads to how the plot moves.

Anishma in a still from ‘Modha Rathri’ | Photo credit: Special arrangement

All of this is intentional, because at the thematic center of it all, Raj’s film defines divinity more broadly as “destiny” or “destiny.” This is basically the story of how one fateful night brings together two different people who seem oddly matched like yin and yang due to their circumstances and what they lost to get there – with some help from fate.

The inauspicious event that closed the temple well also plunged Maruthu into darkness; We won’t get the full picture right away, but even after five years in Dubai, Maruthu still lives on as a memory of who he was. The weary eyes of Rishikanth (soon to be seen in Dorothy) carry the weight of Maruthu’s past so effortlessly that you don’t question him when his uncle (Abdool Lee in his element) manages to guilt trip him into agreeing to a wedding he had no idea about on the day of the wedding.

At least Marutha’s position is clear. The weather in Selvia’s world changes so quickly that her plight almost drives the viewer to rage. Even Selvi is not interested in the wedding and plans to elope with her hapless boyfriend (led by director Raja). Except the other one foils the plan by — wait for it — falling asleep! Anishma, who was excellent in Sirai and Youth, certainly conveys Selvia’s growing disillusionment, confusion and the emotional weight of realizing her dire situation. Maruthu and Selvi get married and this time bomb explodes with laughter, tears and pain over the titular modha rathri.

Modha Rathri (Tamil)

Directed by Raja Karuppasamy

Cast: Rishikanth, Anishma Anilkumar, Shelly Kishore, Abdool Lee

Duration: 143 minutes

Plot: A reluctant groom and a reluctant bride find themselves stuck together on their wedding night as one accident after another forces them to confront their situation.

In his first directorial venture, Raja will surprise you with how well he knows humor. It’s a blast whenever many subplots intersect. But the film also has many small moments that will leave you in awe – like a hilarious moment involving Selvi on stage or what happens to her boyfriend on the way to her house late at night. The innovative idea involves the friend’s two friends “tormenting” him through his conscience.

Every character in this film has their own flaws and Raja effortlessly uses these traits for laughs and bigger statements. Muthu’s maternal uncle Saravanan (Bagavathi Perumal) annoys you with his tantrums. However, a grown man holding a picture of his late brother-in-law and dealing with low self-esteem and the reality of life seems juvenile and pitiful. If the characters don’t make you laugh, they will make you think. You think about how people treat a salaried worker who works in a family capacity. The characters make you think about the many women who still have to fight to get a higher education. While an entire village may come together for a wedding, they won’t stand with a lone man protesting for their future.

The way these colorful characters – found in most families – interact with each other is something to behold and it’s no wonder that Raj’s film has caught the attention of families; even the grown-up jokes the in-laws crack aren’t crude, but resemble the way most gossiping relatives talk.

Of course, despite the well-written scenes in the second half, many might have reservations about how the film handles the conflict. In the climax, you start to wonder if the central plot of Marutha and Selva could have used more weight. But by then, Raja would have you thinking about Maruthu, “At least you have questions to ask.” You would already be thinking about how most marriages, as the priest says, are not for the right reasons. Or you might like how even a divine through a priest can’t do it all at the end of the night. Modha Rathri is a night to remember.

Modha Rathri is streaming on Netflix

Published – 18 Sep 2026 0:12 IST