Chennai, February 19 – The highly anticipated crime thriller "Thadayam," directed by Navinkumar Palanivel and starring Samuthirakani and Sshivada, will begin streaming on OTT platforms from February 27th this year, according to its producers.
The series, based on a true crime story, will be available on the Zee5 platform.
"Thadayam" (which translates to "Clue" in English) is a gripping crime thriller inspired by real events that occurred along the border between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in 1999.
Written and directed by Navinkumar Palanivel, "Thadayam" stars acclaimed actor-director Samuthirakani as SI Adhiyaman, alongside Sshivada as Inspector Lakshmi.
A series of brutal murders occur in the middle of the night, shaking a cluster of rural villages. Each scene is identical, with each clue leading nowhere except for one disturbing detail: the killer only steals sacred marriage symbols.
As fear turns into folklore and suspicion spreads, a newly transferred officer begins to sense a ritualistic pattern behind the chaos. What follows is a tense, night-bound investigation where every answer deepens the mystery, and the truth lies hidden in the darkest corners of belief.
Director Navinkumar Palanivel said, "Thadayam is not just a crime thriller; it's an exploration of fear, belief, and obsession within a close-knit rural community. What fascinated me most about this true story was how the crimes preyed on something deeply emotional and sacred. I wanted to tell this story with honesty, restraint, and an unsettling realism that stays with the viewer long after the screen fades to black."
Samuthirakani, who plays SI Athiyamaan, said, "What drew me to 'Thadayam' was its authenticity. This is not a loud cop story, but it's about patience, observation, and understanding the human mind. Athiyamaan is a grounded officer walking into a landscape filled with fear and unanswered questions, and that complexity made the role deeply compelling."
Actor Sshivada added, "Inspector Lakshmi is strong, intuitive, and resilient in the face of relentless horror. 'Thadayam' gives space to its characters to breathe, to question, and to feel the weight of what they're up against. It's rare to find a crime series that balances emotional realism with such an eerie atmosphere."