{ "id": "epzcnxqqqt", "slug": "mathagam", "title": "Mathagam", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_south_asia", "label": "South and Southeast Asian serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_south_asia" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_south_asia.tamil_serials", "label": "Tamil serials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_south_asia.tamil_serials" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "India · 2021 and later: International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021", "label": "India · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials", "label": "International serial drama and telenovelas", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_international_serials" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Mathagam (மத்தகம்) is a 2023 Tamil-language crime drama web series on Disney+ Hotstar, directed by Prasath Murugesan, starring Atharvaa as DCP Ashwath and Manikandan as gangster Padalam Sekar in a 30-hour Chennai crime story.", "snippet": "Mathagam (மத்தகம்) is a 2023 Tamil-language crime drama web series on Disney+ Hotstar, directed by Prasath Murugesan, starring Atharvaa as DCP Ashwath and Manikandan as gangster Padalam Sekar in a 30-hour Chennai crime story.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_int_serials_south_asia.tamil_serials", "markdown": "# Mathagam\n\n**Mathagam** (மத்தகம்) is an Indian Tamil-language crime drama web series created and directed by Prasath Murugesan, starring Atharvaa as a police officer and Manikandan as a gangster, released on [Disney+ Hotstar](https://www.edgepedia.org/disney-hotstar) in 2023.[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) • [2](https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1374666-mathagam-season-2-release-date-rumors-is-it-coming-out) The story follows the conflict between DCP Ashwath Rathnakumar and the gangster Padalam Sekar and its impact on the city of Chennai, with the entire narrative unfolding within a span of 30 hours.[2](https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1374666-mathagam-season-2-release-date-rumors-is-it-coming-out) • [3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Format | Tamil-language crime drama web series, 9 episodes, released on Disney+ Hotstar[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) • [4](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/) |\n| Release | Part 1 (5 episodes) on 18 August 2023; part 2 (4 episodes) on 12 October 2023[4](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/) |\n| Lead cast | Atharvaa as DCP Ashwath; Manikandan as gangster Padalam Sekar, his first role as an antagonist[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) • [5](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-news/prasath-murugesan-disneyhotstar-original-series-mathagam-release-announced/) |\n| Premise | A sincere IPS officer takes on a crime syndicate led by a gangster; events span 30 hours[3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html) |\n| Title meaning | \"Mathagam\" denotes the forehead of an elephant[3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html) |\n| Languages | Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi[6](https://www.ottplay.com/news/mathagam-2-ott-release-the-sequel-to-the-gangster-drama-to-drop-on-disney-hotstar-on-this-date/342c661404695) |\n| Reception | IMDb rating of 6.3/10[7](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Cast and characters\n\nAtharvaa plays the earnest cop DCP Ashwath Rathnakumar, while Manikandan plays Padalam Sekar, a gangster; the series marked Manikandan's first role as an antagonist and his debut as a lead in a web series, as well as Atharvaa's web series debut.[5](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-news/prasath-murugesan-disneyhotstar-original-series-mathagam-release-announced/) • [9](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/mathagam-2023-release-date-trailer-plot-cast-behind-the-scenes-ott-partner-and-more/6b95f0b755528) The supporting cast includes [Gautham Vasudev Menon](https://www.edgepedia.org/gautham-vasudev-menon) as Thirumaaran, Nikhila Vimal as Vaidehi, Dhivyadharshini as Safia, Dilnaz Irani as Police Commissioner Sayanthika Biswas, Ilavarasu, Vadivukarasi, Aruvi Thirunavukkarasu, Munnar Ramesh, Sarath Ravi, Rishikanth, and Murali Abbas.[3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html) • [10](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/exclusive-dilnaz-irani-on-mathagam-my-tamil-debut-couldnt-have-come-at-a-better-time/4c0f0d5165928)\n\nMurugesan tailored parts of the script to the actors' real traits: Dhivyadharshini's character has rheumatoid arthritis, and Manikandan's philosophical streak was amplified for Sekar.[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) Nikhila Vimal's Vaidehi, a new mother dealing with post-partum stress, an identity crisis, and her own struggles apart from the main conflict, was written as a multi-layered character rather than only the protagonist's wife, and became a stand-out role for many viewers.[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) • [11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Aug/16/i-want-to-play-a-light-hearted-role-in-tamil-46661.html)\n\n### Story and themes\n\nThe plot centers on a cat-and-mouse game between the police and a crime syndicate, building toward a party thrown for Sekar's associate Choolai Babu that serves as a cover for a major financial crime involving truckloads of money moved into a farmhouse.[3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html) • [12](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508/news/) In the final episodes, police led by Commissioner Sayanthika and Ashwath raid the farmhouse sheltering much of the city's criminal underworld; Sekar is arrested, and a mole within the police force is exposed, but the mole reveals that someone more powerful than Sekar has been controlling events, a question the season leaves unanswered.[12](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508/news/) • [4](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/)\n\nMurugesan described the series as a slow-burn crime drama best consumed as a binge-watch, and acknowledged that its mature content, including violence and profanity, is not suitable for viewing with children.[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) On whether the story is factual, sources disagree: actress Dilnaz Irani said in an interview that Mathagam is based on a real-life story and that she spent a day studying the incident, while the listing site Webisoda describes it as fictional.[10](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/exclusive-dilnaz-irani-on-mathagam-my-tamil-debut-couldnt-have-come-at-a-better-time/4c0f0d5165928) • [13](https://webisoda.in/webseries/mathagam/)\n\n## Production\n\nThe series was written and directed by Prasath Murugesan, previously known for the films *Kidaari* and *Queen*, and produced by Screen Scene Media Entertainment as a Hotstar Specials title.[5](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-news/prasath-murugesan-disneyhotstar-original-series-mathagam-release-announced/) • [3](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html) Atharvaa said at the launch event that the project began in 2018 and that director Gautham Vasudev Menon had introduced him to Murugesan; the story first took the form of a film script and went through several changes before Disney+ Hotstar picked it up.[8](https://lr-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/115562/cinema/Kollywood/Mathagam-has-multiple-seasons-%3A-says-Atharva.htm)\n\nThe technical crew included [Darbuka Siva](https://www.edgepedia.org/darbuka-siva) for music, Edwin Sakay for cinematography, Praveen Antony for editing, stunt choreography by Dhilip Subbarayan, and art direction by Suresh Kallery.[5](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-news/prasath-murugesan-disneyhotstar-original-series-mathagam-release-announced/) Atharvaa stated that the entire series was shot at night, with artificial lighting, and called it his best performance to date.[8](https://lr-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/115562/cinema/Kollywood/Mathagam-has-multiple-seasons-%3A-says-Atharva.htm)\n\n## Release\n\nDisney+ Hotstar released the first five episodes on 18 August 2023 and held back the remaining four until 12 October 2023, splitting the nine-episode season in the middle without announcing this to viewers in advance.[4](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/) • [1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html) The decision was criticized by a section of the audience, since the first part ended just as the face-off between Ashwath and Sekar was set to begin. Murugesan said the streaming partner believed holding back the second half would amplify hype, and that the strategy worked by the numbers, though he would have reworked the screenplay so every episode ended strongly had he known the plan.[1](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html)\n\nThe series was streamed in seven languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi.[6](https://www.ottplay.com/news/mathagam-2-ott-release-the-sequel-to-the-gangster-drama-to-drop-on-disney-hotstar-on-this-date/342c661404695)\n\n## Reception and future\n\nThe series holds a 6.3/10 rating on IMDb based on about 750 user votes.[7](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508) At the launch event, Atharvaa said that Murugesan had written stories for successive seasons and that the series would continue across multiple seasons, in the manner of English-language series.[8](https://lr-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/115562/cinema/Kollywood/Mathagam-has-multiple-seasons-%3A-says-Atharva.htm) As of late 2023, no second season had been officially confirmed, and the unresolved identity of the figure behind Sekar was widely seen as the hook for a continuation.[4](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/) • [2](https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1374666-mathagam-season-2-release-date-rumors-is-it-coming-out)\n\n## References\n\n1. ['Kids are exposed to adult content on OTT': Prasath Murugesan, The New Indian Express (12 October 2023)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/Oct/12/kids-are-exposed-toadult-content-on-ottprasath-murugesan-2623021.html)\n2. [Mathagam Season 2 Release Date Rumors: Is It Coming Out?, ComingSoon (22 October 2023)](https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1374666-mathagam-season-2-release-date-rumors-is-it-coming-out)\n3. [Teaser of upcoming Tamil web series 'Mathagam' out, The New Indian Express (22 July 2023)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/Jul/22/teaser-of-upcoming-tamil-web-series-mathagam-out-2597485.html)\n4. [Mathagam Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, And More, Active Noon](https://www.activenoon.com/mathagam-season-2-150424/)\n5. [Prasath Murugesan's Disney+ Hotstar original series 'Mathagam' release announced, Glamsham (16 August 2023)](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-news/prasath-murugesan-disneyhotstar-original-series-mathagam-release-announced/)\n6. [Mathagam 2 OTT release: The sequel to the gangster drama to drop on Disney+ Hotstar on THIS date, OTTplay (1 October 2023)](https://www.ottplay.com/news/mathagam-2-ott-release-the-sequel-to-the-gangster-drama-to-drop-on-disney-hotstar-on-this-date/342c661404695)\n7. [Mathagam (TV Series 2023– ), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508)\n8. ['மத்தகம்' பல சீசன்கள் தயாராகும் : அதர்வா தகவல், Dinamalar (18 August 2023)](https://lr-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/115562/cinema/Kollywood/Mathagam-has-multiple-seasons-%3A-says-Atharva.htm)\n9. [Mathagam 2023: Release date, trailer, plot, cast, behind the scenes, OTT partner and more, OTTplay (14 August 2023)](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/mathagam-2023-release-date-trailer-plot-cast-behind-the-scenes-ott-partner-and-more/6b95f0b755528)\n10. [EXCLUSIVE! Dilnaz Irani on Mathagam: My Tamil debut couldn't have come at a better time, OTTplay (19 August 2023)](https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/exclusive-dilnaz-irani-on-mathagam-my-tamil-debut-couldnt-have-come-at-a-better-time/4c0f0d5165928)\n11. ['I want to play a light-hearted role in Tamil', Cinema Express (16 August 2023)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/Aug/16/i-want-to-play-a-light-hearted-role-in-tamil-46661.html)\n12. ['Mathagam' Season 2: Is It Renewed? What Can We Expect Next?, Film Fugitives via IMDb News (20 October 2023)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27671508/news/)\n13. [Mathagam, Webisoda](https://webisoda.in/webseries/mathagam/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › South and Southeast Asian serials › Tamil serials*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Mathagam\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Mathagam](https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam](https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Mathagam\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/mathagam. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Mathagam is a 2023 Tamil-language crime drama web series on Disney+ Hotstar, directed by Prasath Murugesan, starring Atharvaa as DCP Ashwath and Manikandan as gangster Padalam Sekar in a 30-hour Chennai crime story." }