| 29 | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Rathna Kumar |
| Written by | Rathna Kumar |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Madhesh Manickam |
| Edited by | R. S. Sathish Kumar |
| Music by | Sean Roldan |
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Production
companies |
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| Distributed by | White Carpet Films |
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Release date
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| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
29 is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Rathna Kumar, the film stars Vidhu and Preethi Asrani in the lead roles, alongside Mahendran, Avinash, Shenaz Fathima and Prem Kumar in important roles. It was jointly produced Karthik Subbaraj under his Stone Bench Creations headed by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam and Lokesh Kanagaraj under his G Squad banners respectively. 29 was theatrically released on 8 May 2026.
Plot
Sathya is a 29-year-old man who struggles with an identity crisis and lacks a clear direction in life. Unable to settle into a stable career, he moves through various jobs while questioning his purpose and future.
During this period, Sathya meets Viji, an ambitious and focused young woman. As the two grow closer, a romantic relationship develops between them. While Viji is determined about her goals and future, Sathya remains uncertain about his own aspirations.
As their relationship progresses, Sathya's indecisiveness begins to create tensions. Viji seeks clarity regarding their future together, but Sathya finds it difficult to commit due to his ongoing personal struggles. Their differing outlooks on life lead to conflicts and emotional distance between them.
The narrative follows Sathya's journey of self-discovery as he encounters various experiences, friendships, and setbacks that gradually help him gain a better understanding of himself and his priorities. Through these experiences, he begins to reassess his approach to life and relationships.
In the climax, Sathya realizes that his uncertainty has prevented him from moving forward both personally and romantically. Determined to change, he makes an effort to express his feelings to Viji and address the issues that have driven them apart. He ultimately seeks reconciliation by openly professing his love and commitment to her.
The film concludes with Sathya attaining a greater sense of self-awareness and emotional maturity.
Cast
- Vidhu as Sathya[1]
- Preethi Asrani as Vijayalakshmi "Viji"[2]
- Mahendran as Santhosh
- Avinash as Mani
- Shehnaz Fathima as Jaanu
- Sindhu Shyam as Viji's mother
- Aadhira Pandilakshmi as Pandiyalakshmi
- Sa. Sathishkumar as Sathya's friend
- Priyanka Rai as Baby
- Anusrivelan as Collector
- Prem Kumar as Kurunila Kathiravan, Viji's estranged father
- Leona Lishoy as Rukmini
Production
After Gulu Gulu (2022), in early-December 2025, Rathna Kumar was announced to make a comeback as a director, for a film jointly produced by Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench Creations headed by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam and Lokesh Kanagaraj's G Squad banners respectively.[3][4] The fourth directorial venture of Rathna Kumar was titled 29, with Jigarthanda DoubleX (2023) and Retro (2025) fame Vidhu playing the lead role.[5] Ayothi (2023) fame Preethi Asrani was roped in to play the lead role opposite to Vidhu,[6] alongside Mahendran, Avinash, Shenaz Fathima and Prem Kumar in important roles.[7] After the announcement that was made in December 2025, filming took place swiftly and wrapped on 29 January 2026.[8] The technical crew includes cinematographer Madhesh Manickam and editor R. S. Sathish Kumar.[9]
Music
| 29 | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by
Sean Roldan
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| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Sony Music | |||
| Producer | Sean Roldan | |||
| Sean Roldan chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 29 | ||||
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The soundtrack and background were composed by Sean Roldan in his maiden collaboration with Rathna Kumar.[10] The first single "Seelay Seelay" was released on 13 February 2026.[11] The second single "Mansion Kuthu" was released on 1 April 2026.[12] The third single "Poo Paadal" was released on 14 April 2026.[13] The complete soundtrack was released on 6 May 2026.[14]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Seelay Seelay" | Uma Devi | Sean Roldan, Chinmayi Sripada | 5:07 |
| 2. | "Polladha Aasaigal" | Uma Devi | Sathyaprakash, Saindhavi | 3:54 |
| 3. | "Poo Paadal" | Rathna Kumar | Ravi G | 2:19 |
| 4. | "Mansion Kuthu" | Bakkiyam Shankar | Anthony Daasan, Shibi Srinivasan | 3:44 |
| 5. | "Nenjagathi" | Mohan Rajan | Vijaynarain | 3:59 |
| 6. | "Vaadinen Malare" | Sean Roldan | Sean Roldan | 2:47 |
| Total length: | 21:50 | |||
Release
Theatrical
29 was theatrically released in theatres on 8 May 2026.[15][16] The film was distributed by K. Vijay Pandi's White Carpet Films in Tamil Nadu.[17]
Home media
The post-theatrical digital streaming rights were acquired by Netflix.[18]
Reception
Avinash Ramachandran of The New Indian Express wrote, "Even if the packaging isn't all glossy or wrinkle-free, 29 works because there is a sense of honesty and warmth, even if some make your eyes roll to the back of your head".[19] Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India rated the film three out of five stars and wrote, "For a production with Karthik Subbaraj and Lokesh Kanagaraj's names attached, you walk in expecting more punch. What arrives is decent enough, but unlikely to stick".[20] Bhuvanesh Chander of The Hindu wrote, "Even when it stumbles in its exploration of identity, Rathna Kumar's film captures the aching fantasy of love with striking conviction".[21]
References
- ^ "Rathna Kumar's next titled 29, Vidhu and Preethi Asrani play leads". Cinema Express. 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Preethi Asrani reveals details on her character in Rathna Kumar's 29". Cinema Express. 5 January 2026. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench and Lokesh Kanagaraj to produce Rathna Kumar's next". Cinema Express. 9 December 2025. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Tamil Director Rathna Kumar's Next To Be Produced By Lokesh Kanagaraj And Karthik Subbaraj". The Hollywood Reporter India. 12 December 2025. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Vidhu on Rathna Kumar's 29: 'The film pushed me to discover who I am...'". Cinema Express. 11 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Rathna Kumar on rewriting 29's script for Preethi Asrani's: 'If a woman can't emotionally connect, why insist?'". Cinema Express. 11 December 2025. Archived from the original on 27 December 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Director Rathna Kumar's next titled 29". DT Next. 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (29 January 2026). "Rathna Kumar's 29 wraps production". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 13 March 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Director Halitha Shameem praises Rathna Kumar's 29: 'Read the script almost a year back...'". Cinema Express. 11 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Karthik Subbaraj recalls disagreeing with Rathna Kumar's remarks". Cinema Express. 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "ரத்னகுமாரின் "29" படத்தின் பர்ஸ்ட் சிங்கிள் வெளியானது" [The first single of Rathna Kumar's film 29 has released]. Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 13 February 2026. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "'Mansion Kuthu' from Rathna Kumar's 29 is a celebratory number". Cinema Express. 1 April 2026. Archived from the original on 16 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
- ^ "'Poo Paadal' song from 29 shows us a typical date for millennials". Cinema Express. 15 April 2026. Archived from the original on 23 April 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ^ "29 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 6 May 2026. Archived from the original on 23 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ "Rathna Kumar's '29 The Film' locks May 8 release; Official announcement video featuring Lokesh Kanagaraj sparks buzz". The Times of India. 21 April 2026. Archived from the original on 24 April 2026. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ^ "Rathna Kumar's comeback directorial titled '29'; title teaser warms hearts, Vidhu and Preethi Asrani play lead roles". The Times of India. 10 December 2025. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "ரத்னகுமாரின் '29' பட தமிழக ரிலீஸ் உரிமையை பெற்ற பிரபல தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனம்!" [A renowned production company has acquired the Tamil Nadu release rights for Rathna Kumar's film 29!]. News18 (in Tamil). 22 April 2026. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ^ "Rathna Kumar's 29 post-theatrical digital rights bagged by Netflix". Cinema Express. 22 April 2026. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ^ Ramachandran, Avinash (9 May 2026). "29 Movie Review: A charming and sincere romance that survives its flaws". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ Subramanian, Abhinav (8 May 2026). "29 Movie Review: Identity crisis drama lands in fits and starts". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (8 May 2026). "'29' movie review: Rathna Kumar's romance drama has its heart in the right place". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
External links
- 29 at IMDb
