Ethirneechal (TV series)

Ethirneechal is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language drama television series starring Madhumitha H., Kaniha, Priyadarshini Neelakandan and Haripriya Isai. This show is produced by Sun Entertainment and Thiruselvam Theatres. Dialogues were written by Sri Vidhya and directed by V. Thiruselvam. The series is one of the most watched, favourite & popular TV series in Tamil Nadu.

It premiered on 7 February 2022 and ended on 8 June 2024 with 744 Episodes. For new Marumagal Serial it was replaced by Singapennae serial which has been telecasted at 8 pm in Sun TV from Monday to Saturday, and digitally streams on Sun NXT.

Synopsis
Nachiappan defies his rich, male chauvinist parents to marry the poorer Parvathi, and they raise their daughters Janani and Anjana in a joint family. Despite Nachiappan's controlling nature, he is wooed by a marriage proposal from business tycoon Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy)  for his brother Shakthivel. Unaware of the mistreatment of Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy)'s daughters-in-law, Nachiappan falls for the lie that Janani will be appointed as MD in Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran AGS (former G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy)'s company. Then, Janani, a high achiever, marries Shakthivel, the youngest brother in the Aadhimuthu family.

As time passes, Janani learns the harsh reality of her in-laws' treatment of women. Her husband Shakthivel, haunted by childhood trauma, lacks the courage to confront his family. Janani's cousin Vasu warns her, but she proceeds with the marriage. Initially supportive, Shakthivel turns against Janani due to emotional manipulation from his elder brother Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy).

Janani's co-sisters Eshwari, Renuka, and Nandhini – are also educated women married to uneducated husbands in the Aadhimuthu family. The sisters face restrictions and are forced to be housekeepers by their controlling husbands – Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy), Aadhimuthu Gnanasekaran, Aadhimuthu Kathirvel, and Aadhimuthu Shakthivel. The story unfolds as Janani faces the challenges within her new family, aiming to bring about positive change with the help of Pattammal, Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy)'s grandmother.

Janani, standing against male chauvinism, leaves the Aadhimuthu household after Shakthivel doubts her character.

Guided by advice from Pattammal, Janani returns to help her co-sisters gain independence. Shakthivel realizes his mistakes, and the story unfolds as Janani strives to empower herself and her co-sisters against the backdrop of family dynamics and societal challenges.

Soon after, Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy)'s younger sister Aathirai is forced to marry Karikalan, after it is found out the she loved Aadhimuthu's business enemy SKR's youngest brother Arun. After torture from Karikalan and his mother Jhansi Rani, she escapes and fled to SKR and Charubala's residence.

Pattamal, who held a 40% share in Aadhimuthu properties and businesses, fought against Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran alias AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy) for the rights of Janani and Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran AGS (former: G.Marimuthu, Present: Vela Ramamurthy). However, he ruled her as a threat to his empire and eventually killed her. How Janani will strengthen herself and liberate her co-sisters forms the crux of the story.

Main

 * Madhumitha H. as Janani Shakthivel: Nachiyappan and Parvathi's elder daughter; Anjana's sister; Sriram and Vasu's cousin; Gowtham's best friend; Aadhimuthu Shakthivel's wife (2022–2024)
 * Kaniha as Eshwari Gunasekaran: Sethuraman and Savitri's daughter; Jeevanandham's ex-love interest; Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran's wife; Dharshan and Dharshini's mother (2022–2024)
 * Priyadarshini Neelakandan as Renuka Gnanasekaran: Alamelu's daughter; Aadhimuthu Gnanasekaran's wife; Aishwarya's mother (2022–2024)
 * Haripriya Isai as Nandhini Kathirvel: Ramachandran and Valliammal's daughter; Aadhimuthu Kathirvel's wife; Thara's mother (2022–2024)

Recurring

 * Late G. Marimuthu (2022-Sept.2023) / Vela Ramamoorthy (Oct.2023-2024) as Aadhimuthu Gunasekaran aka AGS: Adhimuthu and Visalatchi's Eldest son;Gnanam, Kathir, Shakti and Aadhirai's brother; Eshwari's husband; Dharshan and Dharshini's father (Jailed)
 * Sabari Prasanth as Aadhimuthu Shakthivel aka Shakthi: Aadhimuthu and Visalatchi's youngest son;Gunasekaran, Gnanam, Kathir and Aadhirai's brother; Janani's husband (2022–2024)
 * Kamalesh PK as Aadhimuthu Gnanasekaran aka Gnanam: Aadhimuthu and Visalatchi's Second son;Gunasekaran, Kathir, Shakti and Aadhirai's brother; Renuka's husband; Aishwarya's father (2022–2024)
 * Vibhu Raman as Aadhimuthu Kathirvel aka Kathir: Aadhimuthu and Visalatchi's Third son; Gunasekaran, Gnanam, Shakti and Aadhirai's brother; Nandhini's husband; Thara's father (2022–2024)
 * Bombay Gnanam as R.Pattammal MA: Aadhimuthu's mother; Gunasekaran, Gnanam, Kathir, Shakthi and Aadhirai's grandmother (2022 - 2024)
 * Sathyapriya as Visalatchi: Aadhimuthu's widow;Gunasekaran, Gnanam, Kathir, Shakthi and Aadhirai's mother; Dharshini, Dharshan, Aishwarya and Thara's grandmother (2022–2024)
 * Monisha Vijay as Priyadharshini Gunasekaran aka Dharshini: Gunasekaran and Eshwari's daughter; Dharshan's sister; Aishwarya and Thara's cousin (2022–2024)
 * Rithik Raghavendra as Priyadharshan Gunasekaran aka Dharshan: Gunasekaran and Eshwari's son; Dharshini's brother; Aishwarya and Thara's cousin (2022–2024)
 * Aishwarya Rathinam as Aishwarya Gnanasekaran aka Aishu: Gnanasekaran and Renuka's daughter; Dharshini, Dharshan and Thara's cousin (2022–2024)
 * Farzana Ansari as Thara Kathirvel: Kathirvel and Nandhini's daughter; Dharshini, Dharshan and Aishwarya's cousin (2022-2024)
 * Sathya Devarajan as Aadhiraiselvi Aadhimuthu alias Aadhirai: Aadhimuthu and Visalatchi's daughter; Gunasekaran, Gnanam, Kathir and Shakthi's sister; Arun's ex-lover; Karikalan's ex-wife (2022–2024)
 * Vimalkumar J as Karikalan: Jhansi Rani and Ramalingam's son; Aadhirai's ex-husband (2022–2024)
 * Gaayathri Krishnan as Jhansi Rani: Ramalingam's second wife; Karikalan's mother (2023–2024)
 * V. Thiruselvam as Jeevanandham:social activist; Eshwari's ex-love interest; Kayalvizhi's widower; Venba's father (2023–2024)
 * Baby Deepti Shri as Venba Jeevanandham: Jeevanandham and Kayalvizhi's daughter (2023–2024)
 * Thilla as Killivalavan aka Valavan: Ex-police officer; Gunasekaran's crime partner (2023-2024)
 * Goudham Krishnan as Gowtham: Janani's best friend (2022–2023)
 * Ziba Shirin as Farhana: Jeevanandham's sidekick (2023–2024)
 * RJ Nelu as Krishna Swamy Meyyappan: Meyyappan and Rajalakshmi's Younger Son, Janani and Anjana's cousin (2023–2024)
 * Maaran Chandrasekaran as Ramasamy Meyyappan: Meyyappan and Rajalakshmi's Elder Son, Krishna Swamy's brother, Janani and Anjana's cousin (2023-2024)
 * Bindhu Pankaj as Umayal Ramanathan: Nachiyappan's elder sister; Janani and Anjana's aunt (2023-2024)
 * T. K. Kala as Meyyappan's,Nachiyappan's and Umayal's mother; Janani and Anjana's grandmother (2023-2024)
 * VJ Keerthi as Keerthi: Umayal's daughter; Janani and Anjana's cousin (2023-2024)
 * Dinesh Mourougane as Sidharth: Umayal’s son; Anjana’s husband (2024)
 * Muthu Lakshmi as Rajalakshmi: Meyyapan's wife; Ramasamy and Krishnasamy's mother (2023-2024)
 * Vasudevan Venugopal as Subramaniam Krishnamoorthy Rajavarman alias SKR: Arasu, Arun and Karthikeyan's brother; Charubala's husband; Gunasekaran's former MD and now his business-rival (2022–2024)
 * Radhika Vairavelavan as Charubala Rajavarman: SKR's wife; Gunasekaran's ex-love interest (2022-2024)
 * Chaanakyaa as Arunkumar alias Arun: SKR's second younger brother; Aadhirai's ex-lover (2023)
 * Giri Dwarakish as Arasu: SKR's first younger brother (2022–2024)
 * Madhu Karthik as Karthikeyan: SKR's youngest brother (2022 - 2023)
 * Apollo Ravi as Kadambavanam: Gunasekaran's sidekick (2022–2024)
 * Vishnu Vasudev as Sethuraman: Savitri's widower; Eshwari's father; Dharshan and Dharshini's grandfather (2022–2024)
 * Subhashini as Valliammal: Nandhini's mother; Thara's grandmother (2022–2024)
 * Bharathi Kannan as Kovai Subaiah: Visalatchi's younger brother (2022–2024)
 * Som Soumyan as Nachiyappan: Parvathi's husband; Janani and Anjana's father (2022–2024)
 * Keerthana as Parvathi: Thiruvengadam's sister; Nachiyappan's wife; Janani and Anjana's mother (2022-2024)
 * VJ Thara (2022) / Swetha Senthilkumar as Anjana Sidharth: Nachiyappan and Parvathi's younger daughter; Janani's sister; Sriram and Vasu's cousin; Sidharth's wife (2024)
 * Balaji as Thiruvengadam: Parvathi's brother; Padmavathi's husband; Sriram and Vasu's father (2022-2023)
 * Vasavi as Padmavathi: Thiruvengadam's wife; Sriram and Vasu's mother (2022-2023)
 * Vaishnavi Nayak as Nivashini alias Vasu: Thiruvengadam and Padmavathi's daughter; Sriram's sister; Janani and Anjana's cousin (2022–2024)
 * Subramanian Gopalakrishnan as Sriram: Thiruvengadam and Padmavathi's son; Vasu's brother; Janani and Anjana's cousin (2022 - 2023)
 * Dhatachani Santho as Kotravai IPS: Special Officer for investigating Dharshini's case (2024)
 * Kotravai as Meenakshi: A lawyer of Eswari (2024)
 * Johithya as Ilaveni: Jeevanandham's sidekick (2023)
 * Archana as Rani: Maid in Gunasekaran's house (2022)
 * Abhinaya Palaniswamy as Kalaiarasi: Pattamal's nurse (2023)
 * Sabarish Selvaraj as Kumar: Arasu's sidekick (2023)
 * Anbarasi as Anbarasi: Janani's friend (2022-2023)
 * Jillu Vikram as Vikram: Janani's friend (2022)
 * Abinaya as Kathija: Janani's friend (2022)
 * Merwen Balaji as Kedhar: Janani's friend (2022)
 * Sudha Pushpa as Savithri: Sethuraman's wife; Eshwari's mother; Dharshan and Dharshini's grandmother (2022) (Dead)
 * Meena Kumari as Kayalvizhi: Jeevanandham's wife; Venba's mother (2023) (Dead)
 * Baby Ahana as young Janani (2022)
 * Bhavana as young Eshwari (2022)
 * Prashanth as Young Jeevanandham (2022)
 * Hemadayal as Kundavai Duraisaami: Aadhimuthu Shakthivel ex-fiancé (2022)
 * Jayashree as Jayashree Chandrasekhar: Chairman of Dharshan's college (2023)

Development
In later September 2021, Sun Network confirmed through a press release that it would distribute the new Tamil serial, to be produced by Sun Entertainment and Thiruselvam Theatres and written and directed by V. Thiruselvam. The dialogues for the series are written by Sri Vidhya.

Casting
Kannada and Telugu actress Madhumitha Hirannaiah was selected as the female lead. Tamil film actress Kaniha were cast as the main role, who making her come back after 14 years in Tamil television series. Priyadarshini and Haripriya were cast as the parallel leads. Bombay Gnanam, was cast as a supporting role, who making her comeback after 10 years.

Film director and actor G. Marimuthu was selected as the negative lead till his death on 8 September 2023. He was replaced by writer Vela Ramamoorthy. Sabari Prasanth was selected as the male lead. While Keerthana, Kamalesh, Merwen, Goutham K S, Vibhu Raman and Sathyapriya were also selected for supporting roles. In end of December 2023, playback singer T. K. Kala join cast as Janani's grandmother.

Soundtrack
It was written by Balachandran.DD, composed by Srinivas. It was sung by Sharanya Srinivas and Srinidhi. The first opening song was unveiled on 1 February 2022 on Sun TV YouTube.

Airing time
The Series initially started to Air on from 7 February 2022 at 9:30 pm.Later On 9 October 2023,it was Shifted to 9:00 pm.

Trp Record
In Barc Era,This is a first ever Tamil Television Series to become No.1 in TRP ratings at 9:30 pm slot all over Tamil Nadu.

Critical response
The series gradually gained more popularity and viewership in May 2023 by its screenplay, and mainly for the natural and realistic acting. Ethirneechal gave tough competition for ratings to its same channel's top rated soap Kayal.

A poll conducted by the Times of India on Instagram found that Ethirneechal was the most-liked Tamil TV show out of Ethirneechal, Kayal, Sundari and Vanathai Pola.

Trp ratings
The show got a TVR of 6.54 on launching week on 7 February 2022. In July 2023, the series was the most watched Tamil-language television series with 11.55 TVR.

The show got a TVR of 7.84 on its Climax week and Especially,On its Climax Episode it fetched 8.59 TVR on 8 June 2024.