Actor-filmmaker Dhanush has described his upcoming directorial Idli Kadai as one of the most personal projects of his career, revealing that his grandmother makes a special appearance in the film.

“This is a personal film for me. My grandma (my mother’s mother) has acted in a scene in this film,” he shared during the audio launch event, adding that this was the first time a member of his family has featured on screen with him.

While addressing the gathering, Dhanush spoke passionately about the philosophy behind Idli Kadai. “What is your identity? A good education, a degree and a job will give you a respectable place in society. But your true identity lies in your roots,” he explained. “The lives of our fathers, grandfathers, and ancestors shouldn’t disappear into thin air. They should remain alive in the memories of the generations to come.”

He urged audiences not to forget traditions such as visiting ancestral temples. “The breath of our ancestors, along with the deity of our soil, is what we worship as our ancestral deity. Please go along with your family and offer prayers at the temples of your ancestral deities. We shouldn’t forget certain important things,” he said.

Expanding on the film’s core message, the actor-director used a metaphor: “Just like a bird that goes in search of food always returns to its nest, we too, no matter how far we travel for our livelihood, must not forget the path we came from or the lives we lived. That is the essence of Idli Kadai.”

The film, which features Dhanush and Nithya Menen in the lead, is jointly produced by Wunderbar Films and Dawn Pictures. GV Prakash has composed the music, with Kiran Koushik handling cinematography. Shalini Pandey plays a key role, while Arun Vijay is said to appear as the antagonist, setting up an intense clash with Dhanush.

Originally slated to release on April 10, Idli Kadai is now scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on October 1.