# Ethirneechal (எதிர்நீச்சல்) (TV series)
**Ethirneechal** (எதிர்நீச்சல்) is a Tamil-language family drama television series broadcast on Sun TV from 7 February 2022, directed by Thiruselvam, built around educated women in a household who resist the control of the patriarchal eldest brother, Adhi Gunasekaran.[1](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29) • [2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) The first part ran until 8 June 2024 and ended with 744 episodes; a second part, *Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu*, began on 23 December 2024 and had aired about 454 episodes by April 2026.[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) • [16](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Channel and language | Sun TV, Tamil[1](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29) |
| First episode | 7 February 2022[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) |
| Director | Thiruselvam, who also acts in the serial as the social worker Jeevanandham[3](https://kalkionline.com/entertainment/chinnathirai-ott/ethirneechal-serial-promo-today-august-18) |
| First part run | Ended 8 June 2024 with 744 episodes[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) |
| Second part | *Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu*, from 23 December 2024, aired nightly at 10 pm, crossed 1,200 episodes[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) |
| Central antagonist | Adhi Gunasekaran, played by Marimuthu until his death, then by Vela Ramamoorthy[4](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930) |
| Awards | Four Tamil Nadu state small-screen awards for 2022[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) |
## Premise and characters
The story is set in a household where the brothers, led by the eldest, Adhi Gunasekaran, keep the women of the family in subjection, and the educated daughters-in-law resist and rise against this control.[3](https://kalkionline.com/entertainment/chinnathirai-ott/ethirneechal-serial-promo-today-august-18) The serial's stated theme is women's empowerment and resistance against patriarchy.[5](https://filmibeat.com/tamil-tv-serials/ethirneechal-thodargiradhu-s47.html)
The cast of the first part included Satyapriya, Haripriya, Priyadarshini, Kanika, Madhumitha, Marimuthu, and Kamalesh, with Vibu Raman also in a principal role.[3](https://kalkionline.com/entertainment/chinnathirai-ott/ethirneechal-serial-promo-today-august-18) • [6](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2024/Feb/12/edhirneechal-series-broadcast-time-change) The dialogue writer is the actress Srividya, who returned to writing with this serial after her marriage.[7](https://cinema.dinamalar.com/news/serial/did-you-know-who-is-the-dialouge-writer-for-ethirneechal-ser/104359)
**Marimuthu as Gunasekaran.** Marimuthu, a director and actor, played Adhi Gunasekaran with a mocking, sarcastic manner of speech and a silent villainy, and built a dedicated fan following for the character.[4](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930) His sudden death was described as the biggest loss the serial suffered.[8](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/ethirneechal-serial-today-last-episode-june-8-written-update-187434) After his death, the serial aired for some weeks using his old recorded scenes, and then Vela Ramamoorthy entered as Adhi Gunasekaran.[4](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930)
## Broadcast history and ratings
The serial aired Monday to Saturday at 9 pm on Sun TV.[8](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/ethirneechal-serial-today-last-episode-june-8-written-update-187434) In February 2024, after the new serial *Malli* was scheduled at 9 pm, Ethirneechal moved to 9:30 pm.[6](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2024/Feb/12/edhirneechal-series-broadcast-time-change) It consistently stayed within the top 10 of the TRP ratings, and while Marimuthu was in the cast it held first place.[6](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2024/Feb/12/edhirneechal-series-broadcast-time-change) • [9](https://tamil.samayam.com/tv/news/sun-tv-ethirneechal-serial-lost-first-place-and-this-famous-serial-is-number-one-in-sun-tv-now/amp_articleshow/104773206.cms)
After Marimuthu's death and Ramamoorthy's entry, the ratings fell. In one weekly TRP list the serial stood fifth with 9.55 points, behind *Vanathai Pola* (10.40), *Kayal* (10.14), *Sundari* (9.75), and *Singapenne* (9.62).[4](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930) Reports attributed the decline to the change in the character's portrayal, from Marimuthu's quiet scheming to Ramamoorthy's more aggressive style.[4](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930)
## Ending and second part
The first part ended on 8 June 2024 with a "subham" card. In the finale, Gunasekaran's crimes, including murder and kidnapping, were proven in court with evidence and he received a life sentence; as he was taken away he asked the women of the house for forgiveness and told them they were free to live as they wished, warning that a Gunasekaran would exist wherever they went.[8](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/ethirneechal-serial-today-last-episode-june-8-written-update-187434) Director Thiruselvam said in interviews that he had five years of story prepared, but the channel pressed him to alter the story and end the serial quickly.[10](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/thiruselvam-ethirneechal-2-talks-to-be-telecasted-in-kalaingar-tv-188246/amp)
The second part, *Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu*, began on 23 December 2024 and aired nightly at 10 pm.[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) It continues with the characters of the first part, but Parvathi Venkatraman replaced [Madhumitha](https://www.edgepedia.org/madhumitha) as the female lead and Srija replaced Kanika; Haripriya, Priyadarshini, Vela Ramamoorthy, Vibu Raman, and Kamalesh continued in principal roles.[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) Four characters from the first part, including Gowtham, Korravai, Vasu, and a woman police officer, reappeared in the second part to an enthusiastic fan response.[11](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2025/Mar/19/ethirneechal-serial-characters-response-from-audience) By April 2026 the second part had aired about 454 episodes.[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) • [16](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses)
The second part drew criticism from fans for repeating similar plots of murder, kidnapping, and hiding, and for scenes said to depict women's subjection in the name of women's progress.[12](https://manithan.com/article/stopped-ethirneechal-serial-what-is-the-reason-1769917472) Reports in 2026 said Sun TV planned to stop the serial and replace it, with the mythological serial *Ramayanam* taking a morning 8:30 slot after *Ethirneechal 2* was discontinued.[12](https://manithan.com/article/stopped-ethirneechal-serial-what-is-the-reason-1769917472) • [13](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Feb/16/another-change-in-the-broadcast-of-the-edhir-neechal-serial)
## Reception
The serial drew an audience beyond its usual female viewership, and several celebrities reported watching it regularly.[10](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/thiruselvam-ethirneechal-2-talks-to-be-telecasted-in-kalaingar-tv-188246/amp) Actor Rajinikanth asked director Thiruselvam about the serial's story, according to a report on their meeting.[14](https://cineulagam.com/article/ethirneechal-serial-thiruselvam-about-rajinikanth-1692683871) A Telugu-dubbed version of the serial also aired and ended shortly after the Tamil original.[15](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-serial-telugu-climax-viral-on-social-4779865)
The serial won four awards at the [Tamil Nadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-nadu) government's small-screen awards for 2022.[2](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses) After the first part ended, reports said the channel Kalaignar TV approached director Thiruselvam about continuing the serial there, and that Sun TV asked Thirumurugan, director of *[Metti Oli](https://www.edgepedia.org/metti-oli)* and *Nathaswaram*, to create a serial with a similar gripping storyline.[10](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/thiruselvam-ethirneechal-2-talks-to-be-telecasted-in-kalaingar-tv-188246/amp)
## References
1. [எதிர்நீச்சல் (தொலைக்காட்சித் தொடர்), TamilArWiki](https://tamilar.wiki/w/%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D_%28%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%29)
2. [1200 நாள்களைக் கடந்த எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடர், Dinamani (6 April 2026)](https://www.dinamani.com/amp/story/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses)
3. [சூடுபிடிக்கும் எதிர்நீச்சல் சீரியல், Kalki Online (18 August 2023)](https://kalkionline.com/entertainment/chinnathirai-ott/ethirneechal-serial-promo-today-august-18)
4. [டி.ஆர்.பியில் வீழ்ந்த எதிர்நீச்சல், Tamil Indian Express (2 November 2023)](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-down-in-trp-rating-gunasekaran-character-not-like-1681930)
5. [Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu Serial, Filmibeat](https://filmibeat.com/tamil-tv-serials/ethirneechal-thodargiradhu-s47.html)
6. [எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடர் நேரம் மாற்றம், Dinamani (12 February 2024)](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2024/Feb/12/edhirneechal-series-broadcast-time-change)
7. [எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடருக்கு வசனம் எழுதும் சீரியல் நடிகை, Dinamalar](https://cinema.dinamalar.com/news/serial/did-you-know-who-is-the-dialouge-writer-for-ethirneechal-ser/104359)
8. [Ethirneechal: முடிந்தது எதிர்நீச்சல் சீரியல், ABP Live Tamil (8 June 2024)](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/ethirneechal-serial-today-last-episode-june-8-written-update-187434)
9. [Ethirneechal: நம்பர் 1 இடத்தை இழந்த எதிர்நீச்சல், Samayam Tamil (28 October 2023)](https://tamil.samayam.com/tv/news/sun-tv-ethirneechal-serial-lost-first-place-and-this-famous-serial-is-number-one-in-sun-tv-now/amp_articleshow/104773206.cms)
10. [Ethirneechal 2 Update, ABP Live Tamil (14 June 2024)](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/television/thiruselvam-ethirneechal-2-talks-to-be-telecasted-in-kalaingar-tv-188246/amp)
11. [எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடரில் ரீ-என்ட்ரி கொடுத்த 4 நடிகர்கள், Dinamani (19 March 2025)](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2025/Mar/19/ethirneechal-serial-characters-response-from-audience)
12. [நிறுத்தப்படும் எதிர்நீச்சல் சீரியல், Manithan](https://manithan.com/article/stopped-ethirneechal-serial-what-is-the-reason-1769917472)
13. [எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடர் ஒளிபரப்பில் மீண்டும் மாற்றம், Dinamani (16 February 2026)](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Feb/16/another-change-in-the-broadcast-of-the-edhir-neechal-serial)
14. [எதிர்நீச்சல் சீரியல் இயக்குனர் திருச்செல்வமிடம் கதை கேட்டுள்ள ரஜினிகாந்த், Cine Ulagam](https://cineulagam.com/article/ethirneechal-serial-thiruselvam-about-rajinikanth-1692683871)
15. [தமிழை விட தெலுங்கு சூப்பர், Tamil Indian Express](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-serial-ethirneechal-serial-telugu-climax-viral-on-social-4779865)
16. [1200 நாள்களைக் கடந்த எதிர்நீச்சல் தொடர்!](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2026/Apr/06/ethirneechal-series-the-1200-crosses)
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*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*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license