Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum

Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum (transl. The Breeze Will Come and Touch Me) is a 2021-2023 Indian Tamil-language television series that aried on Star Vijay and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.^[1][2][3] It is the remake of the television series Khelaghor, which is aired on Star Jalsha,^[4] however the plot eventually deviates. It premiered on 16 August 2021 and ended on 11 November 2023 with 686 episodes.^[5]

Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum
Genre	Action • Drama • Romance • Thriller
Inspired by	Khelaghor
Written by	Blues Productions Nandhan Shridharan (Season 1) V.S Kumaran (Season 2)
Story by	Nandhan Sridharan M. Kasthoori
Directed by	Abdul Kabeez Hafees
Starring	Vinoth Babu Pavithra Janani
Theme music composer	Ilayavan
Country of origin	India
Original language	Tamil
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	686
Production
Executive producers	G. Pradeep Milroy Peter
Producers	R.Raajesh Box Studio and Samukha Entertainment
Cinematography	V.S Saravana Kumar
Editors	Vijay Krishnan Anand Raj
Camera setup	Multi-Camera
Running time	22 minutes
Production companies	Thalir Productions (Season 1) Box Studios and Sumukha Entertainment (Season 2)
Original release
Network	Star Vijay
Release	16 August 2021 (2021-08-16) – 11 November 2023 (2023-11-11)

The series was dubbed in Telugu as Chirugaali Veechene and was telecasted on Star Maa between 10 October 2022 and 2 May 2023, with streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, however it was cancelled after airing only 177 of the 686 episodes.

Plot

Part 1 (Episodes 1-454)

The series, set in Kanchipuram, begins with the introduction of both the protagonists, Abhinaya "Abhi" Sankaranarayan and Vetriselvan "Vetri" Aranganathan. Abhi, the eldest daughter of Sankaranarayanan "Sankar", a reputed judge known for his honesty, integrity and discipline, and his wife Padma, is a young woman who has just returned from the USA after pursuing her higher education there. She is bold, mature and straightforward, however at the same time, she is sweet, calm and traditional in nature as well. Her marriage has been fixed with her childhood friend Darshan, a lawyer who is the brother-in-law of Surya, Abhi's cousin who is a businessman taking care of Sankar's businesses. Vetri on the other hand, is a rowdy who is the trusted right-hand man of Poongavanam, a powerful local politician and don. Vetri is extremely loyal to Poongavanam and both of them use their rowdyism to do good for the people and fight illegal activities such as drug and liquor smuggling, kidnapping, prostitution etc. Vetri's family is also introduced. His father Aranganathan, a retired schoolteacher, hates him for his rowdyism, while his mother Kamala, on the other hand, dotes on him and often chides her husband over his harsh treatment of Vetri. Vetri has two elder brothers; Kalaiselvan "Kalai", who is lazy and does not have a steady job, and Anbuselvan "Anbu", a real-estate broker. Kalai's wife Nandhini is a hardworking and dutiful housewife who cares a lot for Vetri and considers him like her own son. Anbu's wife Chitra is selfish, mean-minded and petty, spending her time gossiping and not involving in any housework. Radha is Vetri's neighbour and childhood friend who is an autodriver and has a one-sided love for him since childhood.

Abhi and her family go to the temple to ensure her wedding goes well; at the same time Vetri is on his way to the same temple on Poongavanam's order, as his driver has eloped with a minister's daughter and plans to marry her at the same temple. In the temple, a mysterious sage encounters her and predicts that Abhi will wed a rogue, whether they had previously given it any credence. Abhi brushes off the sage's prediction and later assists the eloping couple in getting married. However, Vetri arrives and threatens the newly-wed couple, even attempting to take off the thali that the driver's wife has on. Abhi intervenes and slaps Vetri for continuously attempting to take the thaali off the newly-wed wife. In the heat of the argument, Vetri takes a thali off the temple deity (Thirunankata Amma) and ties it around Abhi and leaves, to justify his argument that the thali is nothing but a chain. Abhi's family is shocked, as well as Vetri's gang, comprising Gopalakrishna "Chithapu", Peithevan "Pei", Quarter and Seenu.

A livid Surya decides to file a police complaint against Vetri and the police arrest him. Meanwhile, Sankar forbids Abhi from entering the house unless she takes off the thali. Abhi's family convince her to undergo rituals to get rid of the thali and she complies, but then realises she has faith in the thali as it was given by God. Abhi refuses to take off the thali and leaves her house - to the anger of her father, who disowns her, and the rest of the family barring Darshan, Padma and her widowed aunt Sivagami, who is Surya's mother. Abhi gets Vetri out on bail, but Vetri is not grateful and tells her to get rid of the thali. A different sage also foretells that Vetri will marry a girl and she will bring prosperity into his life, however Vetri is oblivious to this.

Abhi decides to take revenge on Vetri for ruining her life and forces herself into Vetri's neighbourhood, waiting outside his house in the rain and resisting attempts by him and his gang to usher her away. However, the next morning, Vetri's rival Senba ogles and harasses Abhi, forcing Kamala to bring her into their house. Abhi soon wins the support of most members of Vetri's household with her matured and calm demeanour, except Vetri himself and Chitra, who schemes continuously to send her out of the house. Over the next few months, Abhi tries to reform Vetri and help him comprehend the meaning of love, but Vetri refuses to listen, angrily snubbing her and refusing to consider her as his wife. But when Vetri brutally assaults Praveen, the son of a powerful MLA Asokan, who is Poongavanam's rival, for raping a young girl, Abhi, who witnessed the assault, testifies against Vetri in court, despite pleas from Kamala and Vetri's gang not to do so, leading to his arrest. Vetri's entire family, barring Aranganathan, turn against her, but she remains firm in her decision to get Vetri arrested. However, Vetri is acquitted of the crime with the help of, to everyone's shock, Sankar, who chooses to fight his case as a lawyer. After his release, Sankar reminds him that though he still hates him and will never forgive him for spoiling Abhi's life, he still fought for him in court as he supported his action against Praveen and the reason for doing so. Later, Asokan kidnaps Abhi to take revenge against Vetri, but Vetri manages to rescue her, however his hatred for her has increased even more. Kamala, Vetri and Chitra are against Abhi returning to the house, but reluctantly allow her in after Aranganathan intervenes in her favour.

Later, in a conversation with Nandhini, Abhi finds out why Vetri had become a rowdy, why he is so loyal to Poongavanam and why Aranganathan hates him. In the past, Vetri was an academically brilliant student whose success brought joy to the family, particularly Aranganathan, who considered him as his favourite son. Vetri then got trapped in the web of drug peddlers who prowled outside his college selling ganja and other narcotics to students. Vetri refused to buy the drugs offered by the peddlers and later thrashed them for attempting to sell ganja to a female student. In retribution, the peddlers framed Vetri for drug smuggling and got him arrested. He was released on bail by Poongavanam, who had been fighting against the drug smuggling. Aranganathan refused to believe Vetri, disowned him and threw him out of the house, which led to the start of the discord between father and son. Poongavanam accepted Vetri into his home. After completing his education, Vetri decided to become a rowdy and work for Poongavanam in gratitude for saving him, believing in him and accepting him when his own family refused to do so, despite the latter's suggestion that he avoid rowdism and get a good job instead. On hearing about Vetri's sad past, Abhi feels sorry for him and slowly starts to become fond of him, though Vetri's hatred for her still remains. Meanwhile, Sankar is kidnapped by thugs assigned by a powerful corporate magnate after he had given a verdict against him and his company. Vetri rescues Sankar, on the condition that Abhi leaves him. Abhi reluctantly leaves Vetri's home in tears and returns to her house, where she is accepted by everyone, including Sankar and Surya.

Sankar and Surya decide to get Abhi married to Shakthi, who is Abhi's cousin settled in the UK. Shakthi also happens to be Vetri's childhood friend who is unaware about his rowdyism and his past with Abhi. Abhi is against the marriage, but is blackmailed into accepting by Sankar. Meanwhile, Kamala and Aranganathan decide to get Vetri married to Radha, despite Vetri's opposition, as they feel that he would reform and become a better person once he settles down with Radha. Both weddings are scheduled to be held on the same day at the same temple. While on the run from police, Vetri is shot in the leg and is badly wounded. He calls Abhi, who rescues him and takes him to her house, where she removes the bullet from his leg and takes care of him without the knowledge of anyone in her home. The situation makes them both realise that they are love with each other, but refuse to declare their love to each other due to each other's ego. Vetri finds out that Shakthi is marrying Abhi and refuses to say anything to him about his past with Abhi out of loyalty to his friend. Also despite loving Abhi, he still decides to marry Radha as he does not want to let her down and spoil her life. But on the day of the weddings, Vetri, deciding he cannot hide his love for Abhi anymore, walks out of his wedding and declares his love for Abhi just as Shakthi is about tie the thali on her neck. Abhi, feeling extremely relieved and happy, walks out of her wedding as well and reunites with Vetri, but as a result they are disowned by both families. Radha, hurt by Vetri's behaviour, turns against him and seeks revenge.

Poongavanam helps the reunited couple by sending them away to his friend who lives in Ponneri for a few days, however when Vetri gets personally involved with the activities of a powerful local don Ponnaiya, even going to the extent of thrashing him to a coma, Abhi convinces him to move back to his house. Except Kalai and Nandhini, the rest of the family refuse to accept them, with Kamala particularly adamant on not allowing them into the home. With the help of Kalai and Nandhini, Abhi and Vetri set up their new home; a tent in the terrace, much to Kamala's and Chitra's chagrin. Abhi asks Vetri to search for a job and avoid getting into conflicts, which Vetri agrees to, however he refuses her other suggestion i.e. to leave Poongavanam. Poongavanam too understands Abhi's decision and does not involve Vetri in activities which would involve rowdyism. But Vetri is unable to get a steady job due to his criminal record. Abhi further helps Nandhini in setting up a tailoring business, which turns profitable due to Abhi's business skills and gives Vetri's family newfound prosperity. Kalai also takes up an active role in the business, shedding his laziness.

Meanwhile, Poongavanam's Mumbai-based nephew, Bhavani, arrives in Kanchipuram, having escaped a police encounter in Dharavi. Bhavani is a hardened criminal and involves in activities his uncle abhors, such as drug and liquor smuggling, kidnapping etc. without his knowledge, and even gets the support of Seenu for the same. Vetri soon finds out about the illegal activities of Bhavani, but hesitates on exposing him as Poongavanam adores Bhavani and even considers him as his successor (as Poongavanam has no sons). Meanwhile, Aranganathan decides to get Vetri and Abhi legally married, as, though they are married, they are not considered by society as a couple. On the night before the wedding, Vetri learns about Seenu's duplicity, who further reveals that Bhavani is planning to murder Poongavanam and take over his crime syndicate. Vetri banishes Seenu and rushes to Bhavani's hideout, where Bhavani is waiting for Poongavanam. Both fight each other, and in the process, Vetri accidentally hits Bhavani on the head with a log, killing him. Vetri, distraught at the fact that he had killed another person, even though he is an enemy, decides to hide the murder from Abhi and everyone else and marries her the next day. Poongavanam soon finds out that Vetri killed Bhavani, and, not knowing the reason for the same, turns against him. Vetri gives up rowdyism, becomes a mini truck driver, moves back into his home on Aranganathan's request (Aranganathan also reconciles with Vetri for giving up rowdyism) and leads a happy life with Abhi. Soon, Abhi becomes pregnant, much to Vetri's and the family's happiness, and Kamala too forgives Abhi and Vetri. Abhi's family, including Sankar, also accept Vetri and Sankar decides to exonerate Vetri from all cases he has been registered, so that he can write the Civil Services Examination and become an IPS officer. But, despite being happy and content, the guilt of murdering Bhavani is still on Vetri's mind.

Meanwhile, Bhavani's long-lost twin brother Parameswaran "Parama" shows up in Kanchipuram, with the intention of taking revenge on Vetri for killing his brother. In the process, he meets Radha with the intention of using her to get to Vetri, but falls in love with her instead. Radha too reciprocates Parama's love. Parama involves himself in many illegal activities just like his brother. At the same time, Darshan, who has become an IPS officer, is appointed as the new SP for Kanchipuram District. He takes up the Bhavani murder case, and his main suspect is none other than Vetri. On further investigation, it is revealed that Vetri had murdered Bhavani. Vetri tearfully admits to the crime and is arrested by Darshan during Abhi's seemantham, however Abhi and Sankar notice loopholes in Vetri's testimony (it was discovered Bhavani was stabbed to death and was not killed by Vetri's accidental blow, also Vetri did not have a knife with him when Bhavani died) and realise that he is innocent. Sankar decides to fight his case as his lawyer and both of them, along with Poongavanam (who has found out about Bhavani's real nature from Darshan and has forgiven Vetri) investigate the murder. During the investigation, Vetri realises, to his shock, that Bhavani was killed by none other by Nandhini. Bhavani's men had brutally beaten up Kalai before Vetri and Abhi's wedding, assuming him to be Abhi (Bhavani had ordered his men to beat up Abhi) and hence Nandhini sought to seek revenge on him. Nandhini followed Vetri to Bhavani's hideout, where she witnessed their fight. Bhavani regained consciousness just before Vetri left the hideout and attempted to shoot him. Nandhini then stabbed Bhavani to save Vetri and seek her revenge as well. Vetri, on hearing Nandhini's testimony, decides to take the blame for Bhavani's murder as the entire family is dependent on Nandhini and also Kalai would be heartbroken if Nandhini is arrested. He promises her not to reveal to anyone, including Abhi, that she had killed Bhavani, to which she tearfully agrees. Vetri lies in court that he killed Bhavani and is sentenced to six years imprisonment for killing out of self-defence. Abhi, heartbroken that Vetri had betrayed her and their unborn child by lying in court to save Bhavani's murderer (she is unaware that Nandhini killed him), leaves Vetri's home.

Part 2 (Episodes 455-686)

6 years later

After serving six years for taking the blame of Bhavani's murder at the hands of Nandhini, Vetri is released from prison. He meets with Kalai and Nandhini, from whom he finds out that Abhi had left their home following his arrest, and they don't know where she is. He also discovers that Aranganathan had died while he was in prison and Kalai could not get parole for him to perform his last rites. Vetri refuses to return home and goes around Kanchipuram searching for Abhi and finally ends up in her house, where he finds out that Padma also died while he was in prison. Sankar, who is now retired and is still livid at Vetri for lying in court that he had murdered Bhavani, tells Vetri that he too doesn't know where Abhi is, but adds that she aborted their child before disappearing. On hearing this, Vetri's love for Abhi turns to extreme hatred, and he leaves her house, refusing to continue his search for her. He once again turns into a rowdy, and also acquires bad habits such as smoking and drinking. He eventually succeeds Poongavanam, who is also dead, as Kanchipuram's main rowdy.

2 years later

Unknown to anyone including her own family, a heartbroken Abhi, following Vetri's arrest, spent the next eight years in both Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. During this time, she clears the Civil Services Examination and becomes a collector. It is also revealed that she did not abort her child, and had told her father before her disappearance to lie to Vetri that their child was aborted, as she does not want him to meet her and her child again. Abhi's and Vetri's child turns out to be a daughter, whose name is Sudarvizhi "Sudar" and is eight years old. After fighting with a powerful bigwig in Andhra Pradesh, Abhi is given a government transfer back to Kanchipuram District. She reluctantly accepts the transfer as she does not want to encounter her old life again, and leaves for Kanchipuram with Sudar and Vijayalakshmi "Viji", who is Sudar's caretaker. It is further revealed that Radha married Parama and is now a councillor who is unable to stand up to Vetri's atrocities, while Parama continues his shady activities without Radha's knowledge.

When a riot occurs at a temple, the temple is shut on Abhi's orders. Vetri rushes to the temple and breaks the seal, opening the temple. After eight years, the pair cross paths again and Abhi arrests Vetri for disobeying her orders and further arrests Chithapu, Quarter and Pei for extorting money from the people, based on Radha's complaint. They are all released on bail by Kanmani, a lawyer whom Vetri had helped to study law when she was younger. Kanmani accommodates Vetri and his henchmen in her house, much to her father's chagrin, who is unable to tolerate Vetri's drunken antics. It is revealed that Kanmani has a one-sided love for Vetri.

Parama plots to have Vetri killed as revenge for killing Bhavani. When his goons try to finish him off, Sudar warns Vetri and he fends off the rowdies. However, in the process, Sudar gets injured but this incident causes Vetri and Sudar to become close. They spend a lot of time together, without Abhi's knowledge, and form a strong bond, whilst not knowing that they are father and daughter. Vetri does not know that Sudar's mother is Abhi and thinks that Viji is her mother. Sudar also reforms Vetri and makes him give up drinking.

Abhi (and Vetri in parallel) bust a drug scam where drug-infused chocolates are being sold to children. In revenge, the drug smuggler, who is none other than Ponnaiya from Vetri's past, decides to kill Abhi. After initially failing to do so with Parama's help, he has his men crash a lorry into the car which Abhi and Sudar are travelling. While Abhi escapes with minor injuries, Sudar is grievously injured and in a coma. Vetri rushes to the hospital, where he realises that Sudar is Abhi's daughter, and is extremely happy to know that Sudar is his daughter. However, Kanmani, who is also at the hospital, and fearing that Vetri may reconcile with Abhi, fabricates a story claiming that while Sudar is indeed Abhi's daughter, she is not Vetri's daughter and that her father is Dr. Tharun (who was Sudar's doctor while she was in Andhra Pradesh and contrary to Kanmani's claims, is just a friend for Abhi and is not married to her). She also shares with Vetri a photoshopped image of Tharun marrying Abhi and further reiterates the lie that Vetri's biological child was aborted. Vetri believes Kanmani and is distraught, but still decides to maintain his friendship with Sudar and vows to protect her. Meanwhile, Sudar makes a successful recovery and returns home. Upon finding out that Ponnaiya is the mastermind behind the lorry crash, Abhi has him arrested with Kanmani's help.

The incident involving Ponnaiya urges Abhi to find added security for Sudar and assigns Tharun to find a new bodyguard for Sudar. On Viji's recommendation, Tharun selects Vetri as Sudar's bodyguard, but he doesn't know about Vetri's past with Abhi as well as his rowdyism. Abhi hesitates on hiring Vetri as she is scared that Sudar will develop a close bond with Vetri, who would then reveal her parentage, but eventually relents and reluctantly hires him, on the condition that he doesn't tell anyone, especially Sudar, about his past and focus on the job at hand. Vetri moves into Abhi's house and proves to be an excellent bodyguard for Sudar, and the bond between them tightens even more. But, Kanmani joined hands with Parama and published an article in the newspaper that Vetri had killed Bhavani. This proves to be the final straw for Abhi, who fires Vetri and expels him from her house, despite Sudar and Viji's pleas.

Meanwhile, Vetri plans to get Kanmani married and have her settled in life. However, Kanmani is adamant about marrying only Vetri and sabotages two wedding proposals arranged by him. Kanmani and her father pressure Vetri to marry her. Vetri initially refuses, but under pressure from Kamala to remarry (Kamala too believes Kanmani's lie that Abhi remarried) as well as Sudar (who asks Vetri to marry Kanmani so he won't feel lonely), he reluctantly agrees to marry her. Viji and Nandhini are shocked upon hearing the news and try to convince Abhi to cancel the wedding and reconcile with Vetri, but she refuses. Viji, who has found out about Kanmani's evil plan to keep Abhi and Vetri apart, leaves for the wedding to stop it and expose Kanmani. She encounters Chitra in the wedding hall and manages to convince her of Kanmani's evil intentions. But when Chitra confronts Kanmani on the same, Kanmani knocks her out and convinces Kamala and the rest of the family that Viji has come to stop the wedding. However, Viji manages to convince Chithapu about Kanmani's lies regarding Abhi. At the same time, Vetri (who has become suspicious about Kanmani's behaviour) hires a hacker to trace the mysterious calls that Kanmani had made earlier to further create a wedge in Abhi's and Vetri's relationship and spoil her marriage proposals. The hacker traces the calls to Kanmani. This, along with Chithapu informing him about Kanmani's lies, causes Vetri to get furious and he confronts Kanmani. But Kanmani, who anticipated that these events would occur, lies again, blaming her father for everything that occurred. The wedding is called off, but Sudar's identity is still unknown.

The incidents at the wedding hall slowly instigate Vetri to find out whether Sudar is his child. When he tries to get information from Viji and Sudar on who is Sudar's mother, Viji refuses to tell him, as she wants him to get the information from Abhi herself, while Sudar, per Abhi's orders, lies that Viji is her mother. When Vetri asks Abhi on a couple of occasions for the same, she reiterates the lie that their child was aborted and also adds that she would never forgive him for his betrayal. Kanmani schemes to stop Vetri from learning that Sudar is his daughter and rekindles Vetri's hatred against Abhi, which is slowly disappearing. She frames Vetri for selling illegal liquor (which is sold by Parama and caused the death of six people), despite Vetri finding and destroying the entire stock of liquor in front of Abhi, Kanchipuram SP Kabilan and the people. Vetri, now a wanted criminal, escapes to Rajasthan, where Sudar is rumoured to be born, with Abhi and Kabilan in pursuit. He eventually manages to close in on Sudar's birth certificate, but before he can read it, he is arrested by Kabilan, who also knocks him out when he tries to escape. Abhi takes the birth certificate so that Vetri never sees it. While returning to Kanchipuram, Parama's goons confront Abhi and Kabilan, knock out Kabilan and kidnap Abhi. Vetri, who has regained consciousness, fights the goons and manages to rescue Kabilan as well as Abhi. Following the fight, he manages to finally read the birth certificate, which had fallen out of Abhi's bag while she was kidnapped. The certificate reveals that he is indeed Sudar's father. Vetri breaks down in happiness on finding out the truth, and regrets deserting her and Abhi. Kabilan and Abhi realise that Vetri is innocent, and free him. The trio return to Kanchipuram.

Meanwhile, Madhu, who is Bhavani's widow, arrives in Kanchipuram seeking vengeance on Vetri for killing her husband. Kanmani learns of this and (as part of her plan to have Vetri for herself) convinces her to get rid of Abhi and Sudar instead of Vetri, then target Vetri as he would be isolated without Abhi and Sudar. After unsuccessfully attempting to force Abhi's transfer out of Kanchipuram by kidnapping young girls and putting the blame on her for the kidnappings, Kanmani sends Madhu to Abhi's home disguised as a tribal woman named Shenbagam. Now one of Abhi's servants, Madhu tries to send out Viji from Abhi's household by driving a wedge between Viji and Abhi, so that, with Viji out of the way, she can go ahead and kill Abhi and Sudar. The plan works and Viji decides to leave Abhi's household only to be stopped by Vetri, who tells her to return as Sudar would be heartbroken without her. Viji returns to Abhi's home and Abhi eventually forgives her. In parallel, Parama is involved in smuggling temple idols to foreign countries. When Radha, who is personally investigating the smuggling case, comes to know that her husband is behind it, she confronts him, who then reveals all his illegal activities and how he had framed Vetri in nearly all of them. Radha, disgusted at Parama, decides to contact Vetri and reveal everything about Parama, but Parama stops her and locks her up in an abandoned factory. Nevertheless, Radha does eventually manage to contact Vetri; Vetri arrives at the factory only to see Radha dying in a pool of blood; she had been stabbed. Radha attempts to tell him that Abhi and Sudar are in danger (she had also managed to find out about Kanmani's plan to kill Abhi and Sudar) before breathing her last. Abhi and Kabilan are convinced that Vetri is innocent as they know he will never kill Radha. Vetri also believes Parama is innocent as, despite being a criminal and hiding all his activities from Radha, he truly loves her. Vetri and Kabilan investigate Radha's murder as well as Shenbagam's identity (Vetri doubts Madhu and is convinced that she is in Abhi's house with an ulterior motive). At the same time, Vetri is re-hired as Abhi's and Sudar's bodyguard to protect them. They find out that Shenbagam is none other than Madhu and arrest her just before she is about to shoot Abhi, Viji and Sudar. They also find out that Radha's murderer is none other than Kanmani. Kanmani kills Radha after realising that Radha is aware of her plan to kill Abhi and Sudar. Kanmani, realising that Vetri found out that she killed Radha and that she would never be married to him ever in their lifetime as a result, decides to kill him as well along with Abhi and Sudar. But before she can do so, Kanmani is arrested. Parama is also arrested for his involvement in the temple idol smuggling.

With all of Abhi's enemies out of the way, Abhi decides to fire Vetri and wants him to have nothing to do with her and Sudar. She also decides to accept a transfer to Northeast India to stay away from Vetri. Hurt at Abhi's repeated attempts to separate him from Sudar, Vetri snaps and reveals to Abhi that he is Sudar's father, but adds that he did not once mention to Sudar that he is her father and has no intention of doing so. Abhi promises Vetri not to tell Sudar the truth about her parentage but gives Sudar one month time to "find her father", failing which she has to come with her to the Northeast. After one month, with Vetri sticking to his promise and refusing to tell Sudar that he is her father, and Sudar "unable to find" her father, Abhi decides to move to the Northeast as planned, despite the pleas of Sudar and Viji. But while on the way to the airport, they are confronted by Kanmani, who has been released on bail, and her goons. Kanmani stabs Abhi several times in the abdomen and flees the scene. Vetri arrives just in time to take Abhi to the hospital, where she is in a critical state. Meanwhile, Nandhini, feeling guilty for being responsible for Vetri's and Abhi's separation, breaks her promise to Vetri and informs Kalai that she had killed Bhavani several years ago. Kalai tells Nandhini to inform Abhi of the same so that she can reconcile with Vetri and not leave Kanchipuram, but they too realise at this juncture about Abhi's health condition and rush to the hospital. Abhi calls Sudar in and finally reveals to Sudar that Vetri is her father, and also adds that though Vetri was not a good husband, she is convinced that he is a good father and will take care of her well in case she dies. Sudar asked her grandfather, Sankar Narayanan if Vetri was her Father. Everyone in Vetri's Family is shocked to hear about Sudar's Parentage (She is Vetri and Abhi's daughter). Kamala and Nandhini are happy to know this. so, Nandhini blackmails Vetri to meet Abhi or else meet Kabilan. Then, Nandhini meets with Abhi and reveals the truth about Bhavani's murder. Abhi is stunned on hearing this and breaks into tears, repenting for how she had treated Vetri. Abhi thought that he took the blame for someone and she is aware that it was Nandhini. Both Abhi and Vetri apologise to each other for whatever had happened, rekindling their relationship. Later, Kanmani sneaks into the hospital to kill Abhi, however, Parama, who has escaped from prison, kills Kanmani for her role in Radha's death, he then comes to know about Bhavani's crimes of kidnapping the girls, drugs smuggling throughout Kanchipuram and planning to murder his uncle, Poongavanam, he gets committed and paid. Vetri and Parama settle their feud and Parama surrenders to the police.

Abhi makes a successful recovery. She and Kabilan decide to reopen Bhavani's murder case. Kabilan found Evidence in the Murder spot after 8 years. The Evidence proves that Nandini murdered Bhavani to save Vetri's life for Self-defence, also proves Bhavani's Rowdyism and Crimes he get involved eight years ago. They drop the murder charges against her, while Sankar again decides to exonerate Vetri from all his cases so that he can become an IPS officer. Vetri gets acquitted of Bhavani's Murder case, and Parama accepts the charges held against Vetri - sale of illegal liquor, drugs and idol smuggling. Vetri and Abhi, who are together again, along with Sudar and Viji, return to Vetri's home where they live happily ever after with Kamala, Kalai, Nandhini, Anbu, Chitra, Kalai and Nandhini's daughter Malar and Anbu and Chitra's newborn son. The series ends with Vetri, now an IPS officer, becoming the SP for Kanchipuram. He and Abhi, who is still the collector for Kanchipuram District, leave for work together, with Vetri's family and gang (who have also reformed), along with Viji, happily sending them off.

Cast

Main

• Pavithra Janani as IAS Abhinaya "Abhi" Vetriselvan – Kanchipuram's district collector; Sankar Narayan and Padma's elder daughter; Deepthi's sister; Surya's cousin; Vetri's wife; Sudar's mother
• Vinoth Babu as SP Vetriselvan IPS "Vetri" Aranganathan – A rowdy turned police officer and ex-convict who took the blame for Bhavani's murder; Araganathan and Kamala's youngest son; Kalai and Anbu's brother; Abhi's husband; Sudar's father
• Samridha Sam as Sudarvizhi "Sudar" Vetriselvan – Abhi and Vetri's daughter
• Shaurya Shashank Ramesh as
  • Bhavani – Parama's twin brother, Madhu's Husband (2021-22)
  • Parameswaran aka Parama – Bhavani's twin brother; Radha's husband (2022-2023)
• Maria Juliana as Kanmani – Vetri's one-sided lover

Supporting

• Krithika Laddu as Vijayalakshmi aka Viji – Abhi's sister-figure; Sudar's caretaker
• Tharshika as Radha Parameswaran – Vetri's ex-fiancée; Parama's wife (2021–2023)
• Reehana B as Madhu/Shenbagam - Bhavani's wife turned widow; Vetri's arch-rival
• Sasindhar Pushpalingam as Tharun – A physician from Hyderabad; Abhi's friend and brother-figure
• Feroz Khan as Kanchipuram SP Kabilan – Abhi's friend and helper
• Auditor Sridhar as Judge Sankar Narayan – Sivagami's brother; Padma's widower; Abhi and Deepthi's father; Sudar's grandfather
• J.Lalitha as Padma Sankar Narayan – Sankar's wife; Abhi and Deepthi's mother; Sudar's grandmother (Dead)
• Shravnitha Srikanth as Deepthi Sankar Narayan – Sankar Narayan and Padma's younger daughter; Abhi's sister; Surya's cousin (2021–present)
• Anjali Varadharajan as Sivagami – Sankar Narayan's sister; Surya's mother; Abhi and Deepthi's aunt (2021–present)
• Dev Anand Sharma as Surya – Sivagami's son; Abhi and Deepthi's cousin; Varsha's husband
• Bharani Elangovan as Varsha Surya – Chidhambaram and Chandra's daughter; Tharshan's sister; Surya's wife
• Supergood Kannan as Poongavanam – A local politician; Vetri's mentor (Dead)
• Premalatha as Poongavanam's wife
• L. Raja as Aranganathan – Kamala's husband; Kalai, Anbu and Vetri's father; Sudar's grandfather (Dead)
• Priya as Kamala Aranganathan – Aranganathan's widow; Kalai, Anbu and Vetri's mother; Sudar's grandmother
• Sathya Sudha as Kalaiselvan "Kalai" Aranganathan – Aranganathan and Kamala's eldest son; Anbu and Vetri's Elder brother; Nandhini's husband (2021–present)
• Raj Kumar Manoharan as Anbuselvan "Anbu" Aranganathan – Aranganathan and Kamala's second son; Kalai's youngest brother and Vetri's elder brother; Chitra's husband (2021–present)
• Remyaa Joseph as Nandhini Kalaiselvan – Kalai's wife; Bhavani's murderer (2021–present)
• Syamantha Kiran^[6] as Chithra Anbuselvan – Anbu's wife (2021–present)
• Krishna Kishore / Manoj Kumar as Tharshan Chidhambaram – Lawyer turned police officer; Chidhambaram and Chandra's son; Varsha's brother; Abhi's ex-fiancé
• Vasu Vikram as Chidhambaram – Chandra's husband; Tharshan and Varsha's father
• Rekha Suresh as Chandra Chidhambaram – Chidhambaram's wife; Tharshan and Varsha's mother
• Gowthami Vembunathan as Eeswari – Radha's mother
• Kausalya Senthamarai / S. N. Parvathy as Aranganathan's mother; Kalai, Anbu and Vetri's grandmother
• Dhanasekar as Gopalkrishna – Vetri's fellow henchman
• Paranthaman as Quarter – One of Vetri's henchmen
• Krishna Kumar as Pei (Peiathevan) – One of Vetri's henchmen

Cameo

• VJ Vishal as Shakthi, Vetri's childhood friend, Abhi's cousin (9 June - 6 July 2022)
• Hensha Deepan as Ramya, a criminal who was hired by Vetri's rival, Senba, to coerce him and have him arrested for adultery (14 - 25 December 2021)
• Aranthangi Nisha as Angel
• Singapore Deepan

Production

Release

It was announced that the show would be released on 16 August 2021.^[7]

Casting

Vinoth Babu was cast as the male lead and plays Vetri, marking his second collaboration with Abdul Hafeez, after the two worked on Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum together.^[8][9] Pavithra Janani was cast as the female lead and plays Abhi, and marks her fifth serial after playing Malar on Eeramana Rojave.

For the new look second part of the show, Maria Julianna was roped in to play Kanmani, a lawyer with a one-sided love for Vetri, whilst Sudar Sam was brought in to play Sudar, Abhi and Vetri's child.^[10][11][12]

Controversy

In the launch promo^[13] that was released, Vetri argues with an eloping couple at the temple that love marriage is invalid and attempts to take it off the eloping woman's neck, when Abhinaya comes to stop him and proceeds to slap him. In anger, he takes the thali from Amman's neck and puts it on Abhi's neck. "Just tying a yellow rope is enough. Now I will be your husband, I've put a Bindi as well, go away", he says angrily. There was widespread criticism from feminists, slamming the concept as outdated, as well as criticism for the initial concept the show is based on.^{[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]}

Crossovers

There was a crossover with Namma Veettu Ponnu from 15 November 2021 to 27 November 2021.^[21]

Reception

The show has been a hit since its launch. It is among the most watched serials in the Vijay TV noon band. The onscreen pair of Vetri and Abhi appeals to the audience. The serial is known for its varied shooting locations: Kodaikanal, the sea, Rajashtan, etc.^[22]

Adaptations

Language	Title	Original release	Network(s)	Last aired	Notes
Bengali	Khelaghor খেলাঘর	30 November 2020	Star Jalsha	4 September 2022	Original
Tamil	Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum தென்றல் வந்து என்னை தொடும்	16 August 2021	Star Vijay	11 November 2023	Remake
Kannada	Neenadena ನೀನಾಡೀನ	16 May 2023	Star Suvarna	Ongoing

References

1. "Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum". Disney+ Hotstar. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
2. "Vijay TV serial promo shows forced marriage, Tamil Nadu cop reminds them of law". Hindustan Times. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
3. "கட்டாய தாலி கட்டுனா பொண்டாட்டியாம்.. விஜய் டிவி சீரியலால் சர்ச்சை.. போலீஸ் எஸ்.பி. வைத்த "குட்டு"". One India Tamil. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
4. "Vijay TV serial promo shows forced marriage, Tamil Nadu cop reminds them of law". Hindustan Times. 26 July 2021. from the original on 27 July 2021.
5. "Tamil TV show 'Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum' to go off-air". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 8 November 2023.
6. "Syamantha Kiran is excited about her new show 'Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum'; see post". The Times of India. 19 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
7. "Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum to premiere on August 16". The Times of India. 11 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
8. "Vinoth Babu announces his new project Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum". The Times of India. 16 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
9. "ஒளிபரப்புக்கு முன்பே சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கிய விஜய் டிவி சீரியல்... சுடச்சுட அப்டேட் கொடுத்த சின்னத்திரை நடிகை!". News18 Tamil (in Tamil). 18 August 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
10. "Bigg Boss Julie to make a special appearance in 'Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum'; deets inside". The Times of India. 15 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
11. "விஜய் டிவி முன்னணி சீரியலில் அறிமுகமாகும் பிக் பாஸ் ஜூலி.. இரண்டாவது சீசனில் இப்படி ஒரு திருப்பமா?". TamilOneIndia (in Tamil). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
12. "சுடர் பாப்பாவா இது? சீரியலுக்கு பின்னால் இருக்கும் பிளாஷ்பேக்.. ஓபன் டாக் கொடுத்த அம்மா! - மனிதன்". Manithan (in Tamil). Retrieved 31 May 2023.
13. Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum - Launch Promo, retrieved 12 June 2023
14. "விஜய் டிவியை கழுவி ஊற்றும் நெட்டிசன்கள்! புது சீரியல் டீசர் தான் காரணம்". tamil.samayam.com.
15. "இது பொறுக்கித்தனம், இப்படி ஒரு கெளவமான சீரியலை ஒளிபரப்ப கூடாது – சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கிய விஜய் டிவியின் புதிய சீரியல்". tamil.behindtalkies.com. 26 July 2021.
16. "கட்டாய தாலி கட்டுனா பொண்டாட்டியாம்.. விஜய் டிவி சீரியலால் சர்ச்சை.. போலீஸ் எஸ்.பி. வைத்த "குட்டு"". One India Tamil. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
17. ""இந்த மாதிரிலாம் தாலி கட்டுனா 3 வருஷம் ஜெயில்!".. சீரியல் ப்ரோமோவுக்கு ஐபிஎஸ் Viral ரியாக்‌ஷன்!". tamil.behindwoods.com. 29 July 2021.
18. "Vijay TV serial promo shows forced marriage, Tamil Nadu cop reminds them of law". www.hindustantimes.com. 26 July 2021.
19. "Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum Teaser: Twitterati Slams The Tamil TV Series For Being 'Regressive And Toxic' | 📺 LatestLY". LatestLY. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
20. "Vijay TV's absurd serial shows 'forced marriage', IPS officer reminds them of the law". The News Minute. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
21. "Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum – Namma Veettu Ponnu | Mega Sangamam – Promo", YouTube, retrieved 25 November 2021
22. "ரசிகர்களை வியக்க வைக்கும் தென்றல் வந்து என்னை தொடும் சீரியல் குழுவினர்". Cineulagam (in Tamil). Retrieved 16 August 2023.

External links

• Thendral Vandhu Ennai Thodum at IMDb  
• Thendral Vanthu Ennai Thodum at Disney+ Hotstar