GlendaBancroft at 13:09, 11 January 2026

2026-01-11T13:09:37Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Ayali.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Family <br/> [[Crime thriller|Thriller]]
| director = Muthukumar
| writer = Muthukumar
| producer = Kushmavathi
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer =
| starring = {{ubl|
* [[Abi Nakshatra]]
* [[Anumol]]
* Madhan
* [[Linga (actor)|Linga]]
* [[Singampuli]]
}}
| country = India
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 8
| language = Tamil
| music = [[Revaa]]
| cinematography = [[Ramji (cinematographer)|Ramji]]
| editor = Ganesh Siva
| runtime = 40-50 minutes
| company = Estrella Stories
| network = [[ZEE5]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
| last_aired =
}}

'''''Ayali''''' is a 2023 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil-language]] [[streaming television]] series written and directed by Muthukumar for [[ZEE5]] which focuses on the patriarchal aspects of Tamil society and Indian society in general. The principal characters of the series include [[Abi Nakshatra]], [[Anumol]], Madhan, [[Linga (actor)|Linga]] and [[Singampuli]]. The eight episodic series premiered on [[ZEE5]] on 26 January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.webdunia.com/article/tamil-cinema-news-movie-film/ayali-web-series-in-zee-5-ott-123011900105_1.html|title=ஜனவரி 26ல் வெளியாகும் 'அயலி' வெப்தொடர்.. எந்த ஓடிடியில்?|publisher=tamil.webdunia.com|access-date=|language=ta|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130208/https://tamil.webdunia.com/article/tamil-cinema-news-movie-film/ayali-web-series-in-zee-5-ott-123011900105_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://moviewingz.com/zee5-indias-largest-home-grown-video-streaming-platform-announced-its-next-tamil-original-series-ayali/|title=ZEE5, India's largest home-grown video streaming platform, announced its next Tamil original series 'Ayali'.!!|date=19 January 2023 |publisher=moviewingz.com|access-date=|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/ayali-zee5-latest-series-highlights-the-importance-of-women-education-release-date-announced-97190|title=பருவமெய்தியதை மறைத்து டாக்டராக விரும்பும் சிறுமி... ஓடிடியில் வெளியாகும் 2023-ன் முதல் தமிழ் ஒரிஜினல் சீரிஸ் 'அயலி'!|date=20 January 2023|publisher=tamil.abplive.com|access-date=|language=ta|archive-date=20 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120015732/https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/ayali-zee5-latest-series-highlights-the-importance-of-women-education-release-date-announced-97190|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Synopsis==
The story revolves around the life of a young teenage girl (Tamizhselvi) who defies the horrible 500-year-old customs and traditions that oppress the women of Veerappannai village in [[Pudukkottai district|Pudukkottai]] towards her dream of becoming a doctor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/jan/18/ayali-trailer-out-zee5s-latest-highlights-the-importance-of-womens-education-38940.html|title=Ayali Trailer out: ZEE5's latest highlights the importance of women's education|date=18 January 2023|publisher=www.cinemaexpress.com|access-date=|language=en|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130206/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/jan/18/ayali-trailer-out-zee5s-latest-highlights-the-importance-of-womens-education-38940.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Abi Nakshathra]] as Tamizhselvi
* [[Anumol]] as Kuruvammal
* Madhankumar Dhakshinamoorthy as Thavasi
* [[Linga (actor)|Linga]] as Sakthivel
* [[Singampuli]] as Thiruppathi
* [[TSR Srinivasan]] as Dharmaraj
* Lovelyn Chandrasekar as Mythili
* Gayathri Thara as Kayalvizhi
* Pragadheeswaran as a vocally impaired villager
* Jenson
* Rajamani Melodi
* Goutham
* Reshmi
* Muthupandi
*Sunthar

===Guest appearances===
* [[Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli|Lakshmi Priya]] as Inspector
* [[Smruthi Venkat]] as English Teacher
* [[Bagavathi Perumal]] as M.L.A
* Kodangi Vadivelu
}}

==Development==
===Production===
The series is produced by Kushmavathi under the production house of Estrella Stories, with music composed by Revaa and screenplay and dialogues by Veenai Maindhan, Sachin, and Muthu Kumar. Muthukumar marked his web series debut with this series.

===Casting===
Abi Nakshatra was cast in the female lead role as Tamizhselvi. Malayalam film Actress [[Anumol]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/anumol-wraps-up-shooting-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-pens-a-long-thank-you-note-news-209926|title=Anumol Wraps Up Shooting For Tamil Web Series 'Ayali'; Pens A Long 'Thank You' Note|date=18 July 2022|publisher=www.outlookindia.com|access-date=|language=en|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018135834/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/anumol-wraps-up-shooting-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-pens-a-long-thank-you-note-news-209926|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/web-series/actress-anumol-completes-filming-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-expresses-gratitude-see-post-article-92940923|title=Actress Anumol completes filming for Tamil web series Ayali, expresses gratitude|publisher=www.zoomtventertainment.com|access-date=|language=en|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130207/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/web-series/actress-anumol-completes-filming-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-expresses-gratitude-see-post-article-92940923|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.telugustop.com/anumol-wraps-up-shooting-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-pens-long-thank-you-note-latest-eng-news-1495104|title=Anumol Wraps Up Shooting For Tamil Web Series \'Ayali\'; Pens Long \'thank You\' Note|date=17 July 2022|publisher=english.telugustop.com|access-date=|language=en|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130207/https://english.telugustop.com/anumol-wraps-up-shooting-for-tamil-web-series-ayali-pens-long-thank-you-note-latest-eng-news-1495104|url-status=live}}</ref> was cast as a Tamizhselvi's mother. Madhan, [[Linga (actor)|Linga]] and [[Singampuli]] were also selected for supporting roles. [[Bagavathi Perumal]], [[Lakshmi Priya]] and [[Smruthi Venkat]] also appear as guest stars.

===Release===
It was announced on Wednesday 26 January 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m-tamil.webdunia.com/article/tamil-cinema-news-movie-film/ayali-web-series-in-zee-5-ott-123011900105_1.html|title=சனவரி 26 இல் வெளியாகும் அயலி தொடர்|publisher=m-tamil.webdunia.com|access-date=|language=ta|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130208/https://m-tamil.webdunia.com/article/tamil-cinema-news-movie-film/ayali-web-series-in-zee-5-ott-123011900105_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmycharcha.com/digital-world/web-series/on-january-26-zee5-will-debut-its-forthcoming-tamil-original-series-ayali/|title=On January 26, ZEE5 will debut its forthcoming Tamil original series, "Ayali."|date=19 January 2023|publisher=filmycharcha.com|access-date=|language=ta|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130209/https://filmycharcha.com/digital-world/web-series/on-january-26-zee5-will-debut-its-forthcoming-tamil-original-series-ayali/|url-status=live}}</ref> that the series will be released in Tamil and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] languages on ZEE5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pricebaba.com/blog/ayali-ott-release-date-zee5-january-26|title=Tamil series 'Ayali' to stream on Zee5 from January 26|publisher=pricebaba.com|access-date=|language=en|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130208/https://pricebaba.com/blog/ayali-ott-release-date-zee5-january-26|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Episodes ==

=== Season 1 ===
{{Series overview|color1=#016640|link1=#Season_1|episodes1=8|released1={{Start date|2023|01|26|df=yes}}}}

{{Episode table |background=#016640 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = The Achievers' Board
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = In the '90s, the people of Veerappannai take pride in marrying off girls as soon as they reach puberty. Tamizh Selvi who hails from that village dreams of becoming a doctor.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = The Red Pain
|Directed By = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Selvi fears that her doctor dream will fail as soon as she reaches puberty. She realizes that her parents will not support her due to the customs of this village. She prays to God that she should never reach puberty so that she can continue her studies. Selvi goes through puberty.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Kuruvammal Challenge
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Selvi hides her puberty from everyone and violates the village's most important belief for the sake of her education. While hoping that God will help her keeping it a secret, When Selvi’s puberty is discovered by her mother Kuruvammal, Selvi successfully manages to convince her mother to support her.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Hall Ticket
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Selvi is the first student in that village to study 10th standard. Many slander her. Selvi happily goes to school despite all the hurdles. A compulsion to go to the town school to write the 10th grade public examination arises for Selvi. Tirupati, the village head forbids Selvi from going out of village citing the customs and restrictions of the village.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Three Flowers
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Selvi and Kuruvammal are happily travelling to town by bus to write 10th class public examination of Selvi. Selvi's father Thavasi gets injured in an accident. Kuruvammal believes this to be a punishment of god for breaking village customs. She forbids Selvi from going to school.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = No Boundaries for Bold Women
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Selvi's friend Kayalvizhi is getting married. Selvi and Kayalvizhi come up with a plan to stop it by breaking the temple based village custom. It causes great shock in the entire village. It overturns all the customs and rituals that have been practiced in that village all the years.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = The Revolution
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = All the women come forward to enter the temple due to Selvi's motivation. She is happy that once the women enter the temple, all the restrictions in the village will be removed and the women will study and live freely. Sakthivel, Thiruppathi’s son crushes her plan to pieces. Selvi reveals the secret of hiding her puberty to save Kayalvizhi.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Ayali
|DirectedBy = Muthu Kumar
|WrittenBy = Muthu Kumar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|01|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Marriage is arranged between Selvi and Sakthivel. All women are trying to stop the marriage. All the women come together and raise the voice for their freedom to break the traditions and customs that is holding them back.
|LineColor = #016640
}}
}}

== Reception ==

=== Critical response ===
Anusha Sundar of [[The New Indian Express]] wrote "Ayali lacks a consistent storytelling. Ayali’s antagonists are over-the-top caricatures. They stick to all the usual tropes of a villain just to reiterate the core message. This repetitive pattern only creates a sense of detachment and a bitter aftertaste. A little subtleness could have gone a long way to tell this tale that every other woman can relate to."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anusha Sundar |title='Ayali' series review: Honest ideas and earnest performances needed consistent writing |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/jan/28/ayali-series-review-honest-ideas-and-earnest-performances-needed-consistent-writing-2541921.html |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=www.newindianexpress.com |date=28 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

R. Srinivasan of [[Ananda Vikatan|''Cinema Vikatan'']] wrote "Ramji's cinematography captures the warmth of the village and the nature of its people without diminishing realism. Starting with the title sequence, [[Revaa]]'s music helps convey the impact of several serious scenes. Editor Ganesh Siva has compiled the eight episodes perfectly without losing interest."<ref>{{Cite web |last=ர.சீனிவாசன் |title=Ayali Review: தமிழ் வெப்சீரிஸ்களில் மிக முக்கியமானதொரு இடத்தைப் பிடிக்கும் 'அயலி'; ஏன் தெரியுமா? |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/web-series/ayali-web-series-review-this-sincere-social-drama-also-shines-as-an-entertaining-social-commentary |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=www.vikatan.com |date=26 January 2023 |language=ta |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127072702/https://cinema.vikatan.com/web-series/ayali-web-series-review-this-sincere-social-drama-also-shines-as-an-entertaining-social-commentary |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mankandan Sakthivel of ''Behind Talkies'' said "All in all “Aayali” is an amazing OTT series that should be watched by people of all ages."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sakthivel |first=Mankandan |date=2023-01-26 |title=பிற்போக்குத்தனங்களை மீறி டாக்டர் ஆகும் பெண் - அயலி முழு விமர்சனம் இதோ. |url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/ayali-web-series-review/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Tamil Behind Talkies |language=ta-IN |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127073407/https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/ayali-web-series-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Janani K at ''[[India Today]]'' rated the series 3.5/5, stating "Director Muthukumar’s Ayali, starring Abi Nakshathra, Anumol and Aruvi Madhan, is a bold show that questions patriarchy and holds a mirror to society. The show is a must-watch, says our review."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ayali Review: Muthukumar's show makes you retrospect and question patriarchy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/reviews/story/ayali-review-muthukumars-show-makes-you-retrospect-and-question-patriarchy-2327102-2023-01-27 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=India Today |date=27 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220083737/https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/reviews/story/ayali-review-muthukumars-show-makes-you-retrospect-and-question-patriarchy-2327102-2023-01-27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bharathy Singaravel of ''[[The News Minute]]'' gave 4 stars out of 5 and wrote "''Ayali'', despite a few flaws, is receiving the praise it well deserves. It gives hope that the Tamil web series genre will choose nuanced storytelling over trying to stretch out cinematic mass moments for its actors."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-30 |title=Ayali review: A moving, claustrophobic tale on womanhood & generational trauma |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayali-review-moving-claustrophobic-tale-womanhood-generational-trauma-172648 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220083805/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayali-review-moving-claustrophobic-tale-womanhood-generational-trauma-172648 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bhuvanesh Chandar of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "the series raises its voice against the socio-religious factors that are used by men to oppress women, but you wish the series used the long format to maximise its potential and with a better screenplay."<ref>{{Cite news |title='Ayali' series review: An emotional, compelling story that takes on the patriarchy – The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ayali-series-review-an-emotional-compelling-story-that-takes-on-the-patriarchy/article66446462.ece |access-date=2023-02-20 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 January 2023 |last1=Chandar |first1=Bhuvanesh |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220083858/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ayali-series-review-an-emotional-compelling-story-that-takes-on-the-patriarchy/article66446462.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* ''[https://www.zee5.com/global/web-series/details/ayali/0-6-4z5289752 Ayali]'' at [[ZEE5]]
*{{IMDb title|id=25966494}}

[[Category:Tamil-language web series]]
[[Category:2023 Tamil-language television series debuts]]
[[Category:ZEE5 original programming]]
[[Category:Tamil-language thriller television series]]
[[Category:Tamil-language melodrama television series]]

Ayali (2023 TV series) - Revision history

GlendaBancroft at 13:09, 11 January 2026