Therinja Kadhalinga Tamil Movie Review: Kadhal, Nambikkai, and Nambikkai Illamai

Therinja Kadhalinga Tamil Movie Review: Kadhal, Nambikkai, and Nambikkai Illamai

 

Therinja Kadhalinga is a romantic drama directed by Gajendran and produced under the banner Agri Land Films. The film begins in a rural setting and gradually moves into city life, blending love, emotions, spirituality, and tragedy. With Valentine’s Day approaching, the film joins the list of romance-based releases and is scheduled to hit theatres on 13th February 2026, with a runtime of approximately 138 minutes.

The story opens in a village and focuses on Pechi, a school-going girl who lives alone with her grandfather. Having lost her parents, her grandfather is her only emotional support. As she reaches adolescence, her friend and the friend’s mother help her prepare for a traditional age-attainment ceremony that follows strict village customs.

According to village tradition, the ritual must be performed by a maternal relative. In Pechi’s case, this responsibility is taken by Surender, a school-going boy. During this period, Pechi and Surender develop a soft and innocent attraction toward each other. However, their brief bond ends suddenly when Surender’s father is transferred, forcing him to leave the village.

The film then introduces three bachelor friends living in the city. Among them, Karthik, played by Kiran, stands out as a deeply spiritual man devoted to God. Unlike his friends, he avoids alcohol and other bad habits, choosing a disciplined life while searching for spiritual peace and purpose.

Karthik’s devotion leads him on a difficult journey, wandering for more than six months without proper food or shelter. Completely exhausted, he falls from a hilltop and suffers serious injuries. This incident becomes a major turning point in the film’s narrative.

Pechi discovers the injured Karthik and brings him to her home, where her grandfather treats him using traditional natural medicine. With continued care and treatment, Karthik slowly recovers. During this time, a quiet emotional bond begins to form between Pechi and Karthik.

Tragedy strikes when Pechi’s grandfather is murdered by relatives due to a court-related dispute. They even attempt to kill Pechi, leaving her alone and helpless. To protect her, Karthik takes Pechi from the village to the city, offering her safety and emotional support.

In the city, Pechi stays with Karthik and becomes close to his friends Shakthi (played by Shadul Braan) and Michel Raj. Over time, Karthik slowly moves away from his spiritual life and takes up a job to live a normal life. As they spend more time together, Pechi begins to develop strong feelings for Karthik.

Problems arise when Shakthi falls aggressively in love with Pechi. Despite her clear rejection, he refuses to accept her decision. His obsession turns violent, leading him to attempt to harm her. In a tense moment, Michel Raj accidentally kills Shakthi while trying to save Pechi, creating confusion and emotional chaos.

Performance-wise, Kiran delivers a sincere and believable performance as Karthik, showing a clear transformation from a spiritual seeker to a grounded individual. Nandini, who plays Pechi (also known as Devi in the city), gives an impressive performance, convincingly portraying different stages of her character’s life. Shadul Braan effectively portrays the aggressive lover, while the supporting cast adds depth to the story. C.M. Mahendra’s music, especially the song “60 நொடிகளில் அறிமுகமானவள் நீதானே”, enhances the romantic feel. Overall, Therinja Kadhalinga conveys the message that true love begins with understanding and respecting women’s feelings.