Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam Series Review: An Unconventional Journey of Adaptation and Identity.

The series doesn’t focus on major resolutions or dramatic conclusions. Instead, its appeal comes from the simple pleasure of observing life as it unfolds in a charming little village.

Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam tells the humble story of an engineering graduate who moves from Chennai to a small village in Tamil Nadu after securing a government job as the panchayat secretary. Each of the eight episodes, lasting about 30 minutes each, focuses on the everyday occurrences in the village. One episode features Siddharth (played by Abishek Kumar) challenging an old village superstition, while another centers on his trip to a photo studio to apply for an MBA entrance exam. There’s even a humorous episode about someone stealing Siddharth’s computer monitor, showcasing the quirky charm of the series. The central theme of the show revolves around the experience of a city dweller adapting to rural life. Each episode is aptly titled based on its content, such as ‘Marathula pei irukkam la’ for the superstition episode.

What makes Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam truly special is that many episodes could still resonate even if the setting were altered. For example, the episode titled ‘Inimey pechukku idam illa’ could easily take place in a salon instead of a studio and would retain its humor and cleverness. The show shines due to its insightful writing and an excellent cast. The characters are crafted to be relatable, particularly Siddharth, whose city upbringing makes him feel somewhat out of place in the village. He doesn’t harbor any animosity towards the villagers; rather, he struggles with his unfamiliar surroundings. Writer Balakumaran Murugesan and director Naga effectively capture this essence.

Among the notable characters are Chetan, who plays the acting village head, Devadarshini as his wife, and Anandsami as his brother-in-law. While each character has their standout moments, it’s Abhishek and Chetan who dominate the screen. Initially, Meenakshi Sundaram appears to be a corrupt villager with an inflated ego, but as the story unfolds, we see his more admirable traits. Chetan delivers a comedic performance as Meenakshi Sundaram, often reminding his wife of Siddharth’s monthly salary of 20,000 rupees, a figure that would make many engineering and MBA graduates cringe.

As the series progresses, the significance of the Sound Amma character becomes clear. The creators keep her on the sidelines, only to reveal her true importance in a surprising climax. I’m eager to see how the story will develop for her in a potential season 2 of Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam.

Overall, like its predecessor, Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam doesn’t focus on grand resolutions or dramatic conclusions typical of many web series. Its appeal lies in the simple moments, such as an old man gazing at a large tree adorned with reflective stickers, capturing the essence of life in this charming village.

Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam

Rating: 3.5/5

Director: Naga

Cast: Abishek Kumar, Devadarshini, Chetan, Anandsami, Paul Raj