Sir Madam review: Sir Madam is a light-hearted marital comedy that explores the love-hate dynamics between a husband and wife, framed within everyday domestic chaos. With strong performances from Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen, the film starts on a promising note, blending humour and heart. But as the story deepens, its messaging—particularly around relationships and divorce—becomes muddled and leans toward a conservative stance that may not sit well with everyone.
Story at a glance
Aagasaveeran runs a small eatery with his family and is set to marry Perarasi, a double-degree graduate who falls for him through their shared love for food. But when her brother uncovers Aagasaveeran’s family’s rowdy past and the truth about his fake educational claim, the wedding is abruptly called off. On Diwali eve, Aagasaveeran storms into Perarasi’s house despite resistance—and what happens next changes everything.
Themes & Commentary
Sir Madam is a comedic take on the love-hate dynamics of a married couple. The story explores how external influences can deeply impact even the most loving relationships and the consequences of taking others’ opinions too seriously.
The film highlights the magnetic pull between husband and wife, portraying how love and an unexplainable bond make a marriage last. The chemistry between Nithya Menen and Vijay Sethupathi is compelling, and the credit for that goes to their exceptional performances.
Relationships of any kind—be it between friends, parents and children, siblings, or spouses—require effort, patience, and maturity. The film initially reflects this truth with sensitivity but slowly drifts into repetition and conservative messaging.
Towards the end, the film sends a problematic message by implying that divorce is unnecessary or frivolous. It undermines the seriousness of divorce, which for many people is a vital, life-saving legal right. There’s a scene where Aakash (played by Vijay Sethupathi) says, “People take divorce for silly reasons, stating they want peace.” Coming from an actor who is deeply aware of how his image influences fans—and who avoids villain roles for that reason—this statement feels careless and oversimplified.
Further, Maharani (Nithya Menen) says, “Divorce is just a paper,” a line that dismisses the painful reality for many who rely on divorce as a way out of toxic or harmful marriages. These moments came across as dismissive and unnecessarily aligned with conservative views.
Had the film treated these statements as character-specific or situational rather than general truths, it would have felt more responsible. What’s troubling is the idea that a widely followed actor, who claims to make films with audience sensitivity in mind, is part of a narrative that seems to belittle the significance of divorce.
The film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen in the lead roles, with Yogi Babu in another pivotal role. The film is directed by Pandiraj, known for his work in family-orientated dramas. It is produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan under the banner of Sathya Jyothi Films. The music is composed by Santhosh Narayanan, who brings his signature touch to both the emotional and humorous moments of the film. The cinematography is handled by M. Sukumar, capturing the intimate family settings and vibrant festival sequences with equal finesse. Editing is done by Pradeep E. Ragav, maintaining a steady pace throughout the narrative.
Rating: 2/5
Sir Madam review: Reviewed by Kausalya Rachavelpula
