Mumbai: ZEE5 has announced the launch of its next Tamil original series, Thadayam (Clue), a gripping crime thriller inspired by true events that unfolded along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh border in 1999. The series will begin streaming from 27th February.
Written and directed by Navinkumar Palanivel, the show marks the web series debut of acclaimed actor-director Samuthirakani, who plays SI Adhiyaman, alongside Sshivada as Inspector Lakshmi.
Set against a rural backdrop, the series revolves around a chilling string of midnight murders that shake a cluster of villages. Each crime scene appears identical, with clues that lead nowhere—except for one disturbing pattern: the killer steals only sacred symbols of marriage. As fear spreads and folklore takes shape, a newly transferred officer begins to uncover a ritualistic thread binding the crimes. What follows is a tense investigation where every revelation deepens the mystery, and the truth lies buried within layers of belief and fear.
Director of the series, Navinkumar Palanivel, said, “Thadayam is not just a crime thriller; it’s an exploration of fear, belief, and obsession within a close-knit rural society. What fascinated me most about this true story was how the crimes preyed on something deeply emotional and sacred. 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, who plays SI Athiyamaan, said, “What drew me to Thadayam was its authenticity. This is not a loud cop story but it’s about patience, observation, and understanding the human mind. Athiyamaan is a grounded officer walking into a landscape filled with fear and unanswered questions, and that complexity made the role deeply compelling.”
Actor Sshivada added, “Inspector Lakshmi is strong, intuitive, and resilient in the face of relentless horror. Thadayam gives space to its characters to breathe, to question, and to feel the weight of what they’re up against. It’s rare to find a crime series that balances emotional realism with such an eerie atmosphere.”
