Jiiva's political comedy, "Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil," is set to premiere on Netflix on February 12, 2026, following its successful theatrical run that began on January 15, 2026. The film, directed by Nithish Sahadev, has garnered positive reviews and commercial success, making it one of the most profitable Tamil ventures of the year.
"Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil" features Jiiva as Jeevarathnam, a village panchayat leader who takes his job seriously. The story revolves around a chaotic village standoff that derails Jeevarathnam's re-election campaign. He finds himself trapped between managing a high-stakes wedding for a local influencer and a rival family's spiteful funeral procession at the same hour. Jeevarathnam must navigate fragile egos, ancient grudges, and absurd village traditions to prevent his political career and the town from going up in flames.
The film is a political satire that offers a humorous take on a low-level politician navigating electoral strategies and wedding chaos. It blends politics and entertainment, with conflicts, alliances, and mob mentality driving the plot. The movie's strength lies in its simple story and village humor, which has resonated with audiences. Critics have praised the film's humor, writing, and performances, with some considering it Jiiva's comeback.
Nithish Sahadev, who previously directed the Malayalam film "Falimy," makes his Tamil debut with "Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil". The film is co-written by Nithish along with Sanjo Joseph and Anuraj O.B. The cast includes Thambi Ramaiah, Prathana Nathan, Ilavarasu, and Jenson Dhivakar. The technical team includes cinematographer Bablu Aju, music composer Vishnu Vijay, and editor Arjune Babu.
"Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil" was produced on a budget of ₹10 crore and has collected ₹29.59 crore in India Net, ₹34.89 crore in India Gross, and ₹3.2 crore from overseas markets, culminating in a worldwide total of ₹38.09 crore. The film has been declared a Super Hit, demonstrating the audience's appetite for well-written satirical comedies.
Netflix subscribers will be able to stream "Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil" in its original Tamil audio, as well as in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. The film's OTT release is expected to reach a broader audience, further solidifying its success. Jiiva's performance as Jeevarathnam has been lauded as the film's emotional anchor and biggest strength. He effortlessly portrays a village mediator, making the character feel real and relatable. The supporting cast, including Thambi Ramaiah and Ilavarasu, adds immense texture to the film.