Baththa is a 4-star Netflix watch for Vijay Sethupathi fans
Vijay Sethupathi's Baththa is now on Netflix, and Pinkvilla's 4-star review praises the warm chemistry at the heart of the Tamil comedy drama.
Vijay Sethupathi’s newest Tamil comedy drama, Baththa, has arrived on Netflix after its theatrical release on October 1, 2026 — and the review verdict is warm. Pinkvilla rates the film 4 out of 5 stars, framing it as a sincere, character-driven watch rather than a mass moment.
The essentials
- Film: Baththa
- Director: Balaji Tharaneetharan
- Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Master Sai Prithviraj, Lijomol Jose, Baby Sahasra Shree, Santhy Balachandran and others
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Pinkvilla rating: 4/5
A bathroom lock-in, not a brawl
Set in late-1980s Madras, Baththa follows a feared local figure, Baththavachalam, and Sabhari, a timid schoolboy who accidentally locks him inside a school bathroom. Forced to depend on the child for food and, eventually, rescue, Baththa slowly opens up. Along the way he confronts his insecurities, treats his family with more respect and gives space to a long-suppressed love of singing.
That simple frame gives director Balaji Tharaneetharan room to deflate a powerful man through small, human moments. The review notes that a feared enforcer begging an eight-year-old for rusks under a bathroom door lands as dry, organic comedy — no loud slapstick required.
What the review praised
The film’s biggest asset is the relationship between Vijay Sethupathi and Master Sai Prithviraj. Pinkvilla says the star sheds his screen persona, using expressive eyes, small facial shifts and self-deprecating physical comedy similar to his more beloved earlier performances. Sai Prithviraj matches him with innocence, fear and natural comic timing.
The period setting also helps. The muted colours, old-school supplies and lived-in streets make the 1980s feel real rather than fancy dress, while Sai Abhayankkar’s songs and background score are called fresh in a contemporary film music scene that can feel flat.
Where it dips
The review is not without caveats. Pinkvilla notes that the film loses momentum after the interval, the central redemption follows a familiar arc, and the shift from light comedy to heavier emotion in the final stretch can feel sudden. Supporting performers such as Lijomol Jose are present but underused.
Our take
For our readers, this is an easy OTT queue for a quiet evening. Go in for the lead chemistry and the warmth of the premise, not for action spectacle or a twist-filled finale. Because the film now sits on Netflix, it can reach viewers who missed its October theatrical window. The central pitch is simple enough to explain in one line: a feared man, a locked door, and a child he has to ask for help. That clarity is part of why the review sees it as wholesome, engaging and genuinely funny.
Source: PINKVILLA
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