Chennai | Enoxx News
The Tamil web space is about to get significantly darker and more intriguing. Building on the massive success of investigative thrillers in the regional OTT landscape, ZEE5 has officially announced its upcoming Tamil original series, Thadayam. Translating to “clue” in English, the show promises a heavy dose of suspense, emotional realism, and an eerie atmosphere that will keep viewers hooked from the very first episode.
Slated to premiere exclusively on February 27, 2026, Thadayam holds special significance as it marks the highly anticipated web series debut of acclaimed actor and filmmaker Samuthirakani. He steps into the shoes of Sub-Inspector Adhiyaman, a grounded, observant, and patient police officer. Sharing the screen with him is the talented Sshivada, who portrays Inspector Lakshmi, a resilient and intuitive cop navigating the intense psychological pressure of a baffling cross-border case.
Written and helmed by director Navinkumar Palanivel, the narrative is anchored in chilling true events that unfolded along the rugged borders of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh back in 1999. The plot revolves around a cluster of close-knit rural villages suddenly plagued by a string of brutal midnight murders. The local police are left completely baffled as every crime scene appears identical, yet completely devoid of standard physical clues. However, one deeply disturbing detail connects all the victims: the killer exclusively steals the sacred symbols of marriage from them.
As paranoia sweeps through the villages and fear morphs into local folklore, SI Adhiyaman is transferred to the volatile region. He soon begins to detect a dark, ritualistic thread weaving the seemingly random acts of violence together. What follows is a tense, night-bound manhunt where every revelation only deepens the mystery, forcing the investigating officers to confront the darkest corners of human belief and obsession.
Director Navinkumar Palanivel emphasized that Thadayam is far more than a standard police procedural. “What fascinated me most about this true story was how the crimes preyed on something deeply emotional and sacred,” he shared with the media. “I wanted to tell this story with honesty, restraint, and an unsettling realism that stays with the viewer long after the screen fades to black.”
Samuthirakani echoed this sentiment, noting that the series actively avoids the loud, over-the-top heroics often seen in mainstream cop dramas. Instead, it relies heavily on acute observation and the unraveling of a complex human mind.
Produced by Ajey Krishna under the Cocktail Cinemas banner, the series aims to offer audiences a slow-burn psychological thriller rather than a basic whodunit. For fans of gripping, true-crime-inspired storytelling, Thadayam looks poised to be a must-watch addition to their weekend binge list.
