What is Dhanush's Idli Kadai about?

Idli Kadai follows a protagonist who leaves behind his comfortable life abroad to return to his hometown and run a simple idli shop, navigating the challenges of adapting to his roots.

How has Idli Kadai performed on Netflix?

Idli Kadai has been a huge success on Netflix, topping the streaming charts in India and several other countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives over the past two weeks.

Why did Idli Kadai struggle at the box office?

Despite being a project Dhanush shaped in every way, Idli Kadai underperformed at the box office, earning only about ₹71.91 crores worldwide against a reported budget of ₹100 crores.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Dhanush's Passion Project Tops Netflix Charts After Box Office Struggle

Dhanush's Passion Project Tops Netflix Charts After Box Office Struggle

13 Nov

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Summary

Dhanush-led Tamil drama Idli Kadai struggled at the box office
But the film found immense popularity on Netflix, topping charts in multiple countries
The emotional story about a man returning to his roots resonated with viewers

Dhanush's Passion Project Tops Netflix Charts After Box Office Struggle

In 2025, the Tamil drama Idli Kadai, led by actor Dhanush, struggled to find success at the box office despite being a project he shaped in every way – writing, directing, producing, and starring in the lead role. The film, made on a reported budget of ₹100 crores, failed to perform well in theaters, earning only about ₹71.91 crores worldwide.

However, the tide turned for Idli Kadai when it arrived on Netflix on October 29, 2025. Over the past two weeks, the film has remained in the top 10 list on the streaming platform and even held the number one position in India. Its popularity has extended beyond India, with the film also topping the charts in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. Idli Kadai has also managed to enter the top 10 list in 15 other countries, including Australia, UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Nigeria.