Netflix's Meenakshi Sundareshwar teaser drops - Will it get the Tamil nuance right?

Still from the Hindi film Meenakshi Sundareshwar
(Image credit: Netflix India)

Tamils have long cribbed about the representation of them in Bollywood movies. The stereotypicalised 'Enna Rascala'-spouting 'Madarasi' is nowhere close to being real. But from the cringe caricature that the comedian Mehmood made famous in Padosan to the so-called tribute to the 'Thalaiva' through the rambunctious and crude Lungi Dance, Hindi movies have unfortunately sought to perpetuate a puerile parody.

Of course, this is all from the perspective of the Tamils.

So, when a new Hindi movie about the long distance relationship between what appears to be a Tamil couple is arriving, there is a bit of healthy scepticism among the Tamils.

But can the new film at least get the Tamil nuance right, because in this age and time not getting the facts is a cardinal error?

Well, going by the trailer of the Netflix original Meenakshi Sundareshwar, the new film in question, the answer can only be ambiguous. 

For, the trailer the flogs the usual Tamil character clichés (Rajnikanth fan, engineering graduate, vibhuthi smear on forehead etc.), but also offers some hope that beyond the inevitable stereotypification, there will be relatable flesh and blood depiction.

Meenakshi Sundareshwar to stream on Nov 5 on Netflix

Still from the Bollywood film Meenakshi Sundareshwar

(Image credit: Netflix India)

The hope stems from the fact that it has a solid cast and a well-known production house backing it.    

Directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment (the digital arm of Karan Johar's Dharma Productions), Meenakshi Sundareshwar features Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani in lead roles. The film encapsulates the various interlinked aspects of relationships,  joint families, the awkwardness in a new marriage and everything in between.

The film is set in the backdrop of Madurai --- a well-known city in Tamil Nadu --- and the presiding deities of the city are Meenakshi and Sundareshwar. Little wonder the makers of the film have chosen that as the name of the film, too. 

Sanya Malhotra was previously seen in Netflix films Pagglait and Ludo. She also had a strong role in Amazon Prime Video's Shakuntala Devi

Abhimanyu Dassani is the son of actress Bhagyashree, who, as it happened recently played a Tamil role in the film Thalaivi

The two seem discerning enough to portray a typical Tamil couple in realistic terms. 

Meenakshi Sundareshwar is set to premiere on Netflix on November 5, 2021.

Balakumar K
Senior Editor

Over three decades as a journalist covering current affairs, politics, sports and now technology. Former Editor of News Today, writer of humour columns across publications and a hardcore cricket and cinema enthusiast. He writes about technology trends and suggest movies and shows to watch on OTT platforms. 

Read more
Sajda Pathan in Mindy Kaling's short film Anuja
Oscar-shortlisted short film Anuja is coming to Netflix, and its sneak peak has made me even more excited for the Oscar nominations
Francesca looks up and smiles at Eric while he looks off into the distance in La Dolce Villa.
Netflix subscribers aren't in love with its #1 movie La Dolce Villa – here are 3 better rom-coms with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes
Two people sit in front of a carousel
5 romance movies new to Prime Video with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
A collage image showing stills from the movie The Gorge, season 3 of The White Lotus and season 6 part 3 of Cobra Kai.
7 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and more this weekend (February 14)
Michelle, Keats, and Doctor Amherst looking unimpressed and worried in The Electric State
New Netflix movies: every original film you can watch on the best streaming service in March 2025
Stephen Graham in the Netflix show Adolescence
The trailer for Netflix’s wild ‘one-take’ mystery thriller Adolescence looks ultra-intense and timely
Latest in Netflix
The cast of The Residence peek from a doorway
Netflix's #2 most-watched show is the new madcap whodunnit The Residence –here are 3 more mysteries to stream next
Netflix Ads
Netflix adds HDR10+ support – great news for Samsung TV owners, but don't expect LG and Sony to do the same any time soon
Wonka poster
Netflix cooks up sweet new reality TV series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it's a dream come true for me
Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham) looks as his anxious son Jamie (Owen Cooper) in a prison cell.
Netflix's #1 show Adolescence is one of the best crime dramas I've seen – here are 3 more with over 80% on Rotten Tomatoes
Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore, swinging a golf club while a crowd watches
Netflix confirms Happy Gilmore's long-awaited comeback in new trailer, and I hope it won't be a swing and a miss
A still from Netflix's new miniseries Adolescence starring Stephen Graham
Adolescence is the TV show of the year – here’s why the Netflix crime drama had me gripped from start to finish
Latest in News
A PC gamer celebrating, sat in a gaming chair in front of a monitor
Windows 11’s Game Bar gets a fresh coat of paint, plus a tweak to work better on handhelds – and I like the direction Microsoft’s heading in here
NHS
NHS IT supplier hit with major fine following ransomware attack
A business woman looking at AI on a transparent screen
Most businesses are now fully embracing AI - but aren't always protected against the risks
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
All three rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors shown off in ‘official’ images
Cristiano Ronaldo promotional image for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is a playable character in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and it makes more sense than you think
inZOI.
inZOI early access won't feature Denuvo DRM after all, 'we are committed to making inZOI a highly moddable game'