Madras Matinee
| Madras Matinee | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Karthikeyan Mani |
| Written by | Karthikeyan Mani |
| Produced by | Karthikeyan Mani Dev Ananth |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Anand G K |
| Edited by | Satheesh Kumar Samuski |
| Music by | K C Balasarangan |
Production company | Madras Motion Pictures |
| Distributed by | Dream Warrior Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Madras Matinee is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language family drama film written, co-produced and directed by debutant director Karthikeyan Mani and produced under the banner Madras Motion Pictures. The film features Kaali Venkat, Roshini Haripriyan, Shelly Kishore, Vishva and Sathyaraj in the lead roles, alongside George Maryan, Chaams, Sunil Sukhada, and Archana Chandhoke in pivotal roles.[1]
Madras Matinee was theatrically released on 6 June 2025.
Plot
[edit]An aging sci-fi writer is challenged by his caretaker to write about the common man. Reluctantly, he begins the story of Kannan, an auto driver, and his family - only to discover that ordinary life holds unexpected depth and drama. A seasoned science fiction writer, guided by his caregiver, steps out of his imaginative worlds to explore real-life stories. He begins documenting the life of Kannan, an everyday auto-rickshaw driver, and his humble family. What starts as a reluctant attempt soon reveals the emotional richness hidden in ordinary routines. Through their journey, the author rediscovers purpose and finds beauty in life’s simple moments.
Cast
[edit]- Kaali Venkat as Kannan
- Roshini Haripriyan as Deepika
- Varsha, Shakshika, Haranya as young Deepika
- Kothaimozhiyaal as baby Deepika
- Shelly Kishore as Kamalam
- Vishva as Dinesh
- Dhanush Karthik as young Dinesh
- Ruthra Mahadev as baby Dinesh
- Sathyaraj as Jyoti Ramaiah "JR"
- George Maryan as Kamal
- Chaams as Pickle seller
- Sunil Sukhada as Boomer Uncle / AE
- Geetha Kailasam as Pachondhi Prema
- Vijay TV Ramar as Raghu
- Swaminathan as Bank Manager
- Archana Chandhoke as Priya
- Bhanupriya as Lilly
- Jangiri Madhumitha as Boomer Aunty
- Mimer Karthi Keyan as Vinod
- Prabhu as young Vinod
- Anantha Varshan as Gayle
- Arunachalam as Subramani "Subs"
- Bigil as Brownie
Production
[edit]Through a first-look poster, the upcoming film titled Madras Matinee starring Sathyaraj, Kaali Venkat, Roshini Haripriyan, Shelly Kishore and Vishva was announced in early-April 2025.[2] The film is written and directed by debutant director Karthikeyan Mani[3] and produced under the Madras Motion Pictures banner[4] and presented by Dream Warrior Pictures.[5] The technical team consists of cinematography by Anand G K, music by K C Balasarangan, editing by Satheesh Kumar Samuski and art direction by Jackie.[6][7]
Music
[edit]| Madras Matinee | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by K C Balasarangan | |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer | K C Balasarangan |
| Singles from Madras Matinee | |
| |
The film has music composed by K C Balasarangan.[8] The song titled "Enna Da Polappu Idhu" sung by Vadivelu,[9] marking his first such attempt, where he has lent his voice for a film that he hasn't acted in,[10] was released on 19 May 2025.[11] The second single "Usure Unna Thaane" was released on 30 May 2025.[12]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Enna Da Polappu Idhu" | Snekan | Vadivelu | |
| 2. | "Usure Unna Thaane" | Snekan | Vijay Yesudas | |
| 3. | "Kai Mel Nilavai" | S. P. Charan |
Release
[edit]Theatrical
[edit]Madras Matinee was theatrically released on 6 June 2025.[13] Earlier the film was scheduled for 23 May 2025.[14]
Home media
[edit]Madras Matinee is set to be premiered on Sun NXT on 4 July 2025.[15]
Reception
[edit]Ashwin S of Cinema Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "While it is technically strong, the film has flaws when it comes to its screenplay. To avoid going into dramatic zones and leaving the audience with a heavy heart, Madras Matinee undercuts its conflicts, which ends up lowering the stakes for its characters."[16] Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Madras Matinee wants desperately to find poetry in the prosaic, meaning in the mundane. Instead, it discovers what every writer learns eventually, that sometimes a garbage collector's story is just about collecting garbage."[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sathyaraj's next titled 'Madras Matinee'; title poster out". The Hindu. 4 April 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Sathyaraj, Kaali Venkat come together for Madras Matinee". www.dtnext.in. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ S, Ashwin (14 May 2025). "Karthikeyan Mani: For the first time, Vadivelu sir has sung a song for a film that he hasn't acted in". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Sathyaraj and Kaali Venkat to headline Madras Matinee". The New Indian Express. 5 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "G V Prakash releases first look of Kaali Venkat's 'Madras Matinee'". The Times of India. 15 May 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Madras Matinee first look out: Sathyaraj and Kaali Venkat film gears up for June release". OTTPlay. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ M, Narayani (27 May 2025). "Madras Matinee Trailer: Kaali Venkat and Roshni Haripriyan headline a common man's great story". Cinema Express. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Sathyaraj and Kaali Venkat to headline Madras Matinee". Cinema Express. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Vadivelu croons for Ennada Polappu Idhu in Madras Matinee". www.dtnext.in. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ S, Ashwin (15 May 2025). "Karthikeyan Mani: For the first time, Vadivelu sir has sung a song for a film that he hasn't acted in". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ தினத்தந்தி (19 May 2025). "வடிவேலு குரலில் "மெட்ராஸ் மேட்னி" படத்தின் பர்ஸ்ட் சிங்கிள் வெளியீடு". www.dailythanthi.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "'Usure Unna Thaane' from Madras Matinee is a heartfelt tribute to the father-daughter bond". Cinema Express. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Kaali Venkat's 'Madras Matinee' to hit screens on June 6". The Times of India. 22 May 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Sathyaraj starrer Madras Matinee gets release date". Cinema Express. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Kaali Venkat's Madras Matinee gets OTT release date". Cinema Express. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ S, Ashwin (6 June 2025). "Madras Matinee Movie Review: A flawed but endearing comfort watch". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Madras Matinee Movie Review: Middle-class malaise redux. Retrieved 6 June 2025 – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.