Cinema VinesIn a fresh entry to the Tamil cinema landscape, Raja Karuppasamy’s debut as a director is showcased in the comedy‑drama Modha Rathri, which made its theatrical debut on August 21, 2026. The film features Rishikanth in his first leading role alongside Anishma Anilkumar, with supporting performances from Shelly Kishore, Chetan and Bagavathi Perumal.
Modha Rathri follows the story of Maruthanayagam, affectionately known as Maruthu, a man who returns to his village after six years in Dubai. Despite his reluctance, family pressure and village traditions push him toward an arranged marriage. His bride, Muthuselvi, played by Anishma, is also hesitant, wrestling with a past heartbreak while honoring her mother’s wishes. The narrative unfolds as the two strangers navigate the expectations of their families and the evolving dynamics of their newly formed union.
The film was produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers, with Anil Yerneni as co‑producer. T‑Series presented the project, while Bharath Sankar supplied the music and background score. Surendran Paranjothi handled cinematography, Ashok Arjunan edited the film, and production designer A. Balumahendra and costume designer Poornima Ramaswamy crafted the visual aesthetic. Yugabharathi penned the lyrics, Thalapathy Raja choreographed action sequences, and Anusha Viswanathan managed dance choreography. Sound design was overseen by Raghav Ramesh, with T.S. Hari Hara Sudhan also contributing.
After its limited theatrical run, Modha Rathri will reach a wider audience on Netflix, launching on September 18, 2026. The streaming release will be available in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, allowing viewers across South India to experience the film in their preferred language. The digital premiere comes less than a month after the film’s August debut, offering a quick transition from cinema screens to home viewing.
