# Mahanadigai

Mahanadigai is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language reality show which premiered on 5 October 2024 on Zee Tamil, and is also available on the digital platform ZEE5. The first episode was aired on Saturday to Sunday at 20:30 (IST). It was aired every Sunday at 20:30 (IST). RJ Vijay is the host for this season. Vijay Antony, Saritha and Abhirami Gopikumar are judges.
On 2 February 2025, during The Grand Finale of the show, 'Hemathi' emerged as the title winner of the inaugural edition of the Mahanadigai and 'Aiswarya Ragupathi' claimed the first runners-up.

## Series overview

| Season | Season | Episodes | Original Broadcast | Original Broadcast | Winner | Aried |
| Season | Season | Episodes | First Aired | Last Aired | Winner | Aried |
| | 1 | 18 | 5 October 2024 (2024-10-05) | 2 February 2025 (2025-02-02) | Hemathi | Sunday @ 20:30 |

## Overview

The show is designed to discover and nurture new female acting talents from across Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, providing a unique platform for aspiring actresses compete with each other to act as the protagonist to gain recognition in the entertainment industry.
The auditions are open to women aged between 18 and 30 years.

## Season 1

The first season of Mahanadigai was aired on every Sunday at 20:30 from 5 October 2024 to 2 February 2025 and ended with 18 Episodes. Vijay Antony, Saritha and Abhirami Gopikumar as the judges, television host RJ Vijay as the host. The winner of the season was Hemathi and Aiswarya Ragupathi was the runner-up.
Prize Winners:
* Title Winner of Mahanadigai: Hemathi
* First Runners-Up: Jofna Alice

### Contestants

| S. No. | Name | Home town | Entry episode | Episode exited | Status |
| 1 | Kiruthika Swaminathan | Thanjavur | Episode 1 | Episode 18 | Finalist |
| 2 | Chandhini Kaur | Malaysia | Episode 1 | Episode 18 | Finalist |
| 3 | Kavipriya | Sri Lanka | Episode 1 | | |
| 4 | Aiswarya | Erode | Episode 1 | | |
| 5 | Hemathi | Salem | Episode 2 | Episode 18 | Winner |
| 6 | Aiswarya Ragupathi | Thoothukudi | Episode 2 | Episode 18 | |
| 7 | Jofna Alice | Coimbatore | Episode 2 | | Runner Up |
| 8 | Agasthiya | Viluppuram | Episode 2 | Episode 18 | Finalist |

### Mentors

* Britto Mano, a television actor. He played the main role in Thavamai thavamirundhu serial which aired on Zee Tamil.
* Mohammed Ansar, a Tamil anchor and comedian.
* Vimal, a television actor. He is best known for his role as Karikalan in the television series Ethirneechal.
* Vasanth Vasi, a television actor. He is mainly known for his role of Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari and Agni Natchathiram.
* Balaji Thiyagarajan Dayalan, an actor, who works predominantly in Tamil cinema and a television series. He is best known for his performances in series such as Raja Rani 2.
* Saravana Vickram a television actor. He is known for portraying Kannan in Pandian Stores which aired on Star Vijay. He is also known for his participation in the reality show Bigg Boss 7.
* Viraat a television actor who mainly works in the Kannada and Tamil languages. He is mainly known for his lead role in the serials Perazhagi and Anbe Vaa.
* Irfan an actor, who has appeared in Tamil films and television serials. He is known for his roles as Vineeth in Kana Kaanum Kaalangal and as Shakthi Saravanan in Saravannan Meenatchi 2 which aired on Star Vijay.

### Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | Duration |
| 1–2 | 1–2 | "Episode 1 & 2: The Grand Launch" | 5 & 6 October 2024 | 120 minutes |
| The show was launched with the introduction of Host, Judges, Contestants, Mentors. film director, film producer and screenwriter N. Lingusamy joined as the guest with Zee Tamil's actress. |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3: Iconic recreation (மறக்குமா நெஞ்சம்)" | 13 October 2024 (2024-10-13) | 127 minutes |
| Recreating a scene from Tamil films: (Chandhini Kaur, Aiswarya Ragupathi, Jofna Alice, Aiswarya are Won golden performance). Jofna won first Golden Ticket. |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4: Movie Recreation Round" | 20 October 2024 (2024-10-20) | 108 minutes |
| Movie Recreation from Tamil films: (Agasthiya, Kiruthika, Hemathi, Aiswarya Ragupathi and Aiswarya are Won golden performance). Aiswarya Ragupathi won Golden Ticket. Chandhini Kaur and Jofna's performances were not telecasted in this episode. |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5: Dance Recreation Round" | 27 October 2024 (2024-10-27) | 55 minutes |
| Dance Recreation from Tamil films: (Jofna, Hemathi, and Aiswarya Ragupathi won golden performance). Hemathi won Golden Ticket. Chandhini Kaur's performances was not telecasted in this episode. |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6: One on One Battle: Live Performance Round" | 3 November 2024 (2024-11-03) | 107 minutes |
| One on One Battle with 4 rounds of Live Skit Performances. Battles consists of Hemathi vs Agasthiya, Kavipriya vs Kiruthika, Aiswarya Ragupathi vs Jofna, and Aiswarya vs. Chandhini. (Agasthiya, Aiswarya Ragupathi, Chandhini, Jofna and Kiruthika won golden performances). Chandhini Kaur won Golden Ticket. |||||
| 7 | 7 | "Episode 6: Romantic Song Recreation" | 10 November 2024 (2024-11-10) | 72 minutes |
| Creating Iconic romantic film songs: All the teams won Golden Performances. Hemathi won Golden Ticket. |||||
| 8 | 8 | "Episode 8: Family Round (Part 1)" | 17 November 2024 (2024-11-17) | 72 minutes |
| Every contestant's family member joins them for a special live performances. AiswaryA, Chandhini, Jofna and Kiruthika performed in this episode. |||||
| 9 | 9 | "Episode 9: Family Round (Part 2)" | 24 November 2024 (2024-11-24) | 78 minutes |
| Every contestant's family member joins them for a special live performances. Hemathi, Aiswarya Ragupathi, Agasthiya & Kavipriya performed in this episode. Hemathi won Golden Ticket. |||||
| 10 | 10 | "Episode 10: Action Round" | 1 December 2024 (2024-12-01) | 74 minutes |
| Contestants are take part in stunt training. They are paired in duo and perform action scenes. |||||
| 11 | 11 | "Episode 11: Devotional Round" | 8 December 2024 (2024-12-08) | 0 minutes |
| Contestants deliver astounding live performances for devotional round. |||||

### Set performances
#### Iconic Recreation (episode: 3)

| Contestant | Mentor | Film | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Mentor | Film | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Chandhini Kaur | Viraat | Kushi | | | | Golden Performance |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Sindhu Bhairavi | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | 7G Rainbow Colony | | | | |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Vallavan | | | | Golden Performance |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Pithamagan | | | | |
| Jofna | Irfan | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | | | | Golden Performance |
| Agasthiya | Anser | Thimiru | | | | |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Thevar Magan | | | | |

### Movie Recreation (episode: 4)

| Contestant | Mentor | Film | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Mentor | Film | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Agasthiya | Anser | Karakattakkaran | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | Anbe Vaa | | | | Golden Performance |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Paruthiveeran | | | | Golden Performance |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Kizhakku Cheemayile | | | | Golden Performance |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Thillana Mohanambal | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Mouna Ragam | | | | |
| Jofna | Irfan | Moondram Pirai | | | | Not Telecasted |
| Chandhini Kaur | Viraat | Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | | | | |

#### Dance Recreation (episode: 5)

| Contestant | Mentor | Song | Film | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Mentor | Song | Film | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Adiye Manam Nilluna | Neengal Kettavai | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | Thillana Thillana | Muthu | | | | |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Vaadi Vaadi Naattu Katta | Alli Thandha Vaanam | | | | |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Appadi Podu | Ghilli | | | | Golden Performance |
| Jofna | Irfan | Adada Mazhaida | Paiyaa | | | | Golden Performance |
| Agasthiya | Anser | Palakattu | Yaaradi Nee Mohini | | | | |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Vennilave | Minsara Kanavu | | | | |
| Chandhini Kaur | Nagaraj | Kattipudi | Kushi | | | | Not Telecasted |

#### One on One Battle: Live Performance Recreation (episode: 6)

| Battle | Battle | Battle | Battle | Winners |
| Contestant | Mentor | Contestant | Mentor | Winners |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Agasthiya | Anser | Agasthiya & Anser |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | Kiruthika &Saravana Vickram |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Jofna | Irfan | Aiswarya Ragupathi, Balaji Thiyagarajan & Jofna, Irfan (Tie & 2 Winners) |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Chandhini Kaur | Nagaraj | Chandhini Kaur & Nagaraj |

#### Romantic Song Recreation (episode: 7)

| Contestant | Mentor | Song | Film | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Mentor | Song | Film | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Sandakozhi | Aayutha Ezhuthu | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | Kanmani Anbodu | Guna | | | | Golden Performance |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Panju Mitta | Ettupatti Rasa | | | | Golden Performance |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Innum Konjam Naeram | Maryan | | | | Golden Performance |
| Jofna | Irfan | Sara Sara Saara Kathu | Vaagai Sooda Vaa | | | | Golden Performance |
| Agasthiya | Anser | Marugo Marugo | Sathi Leelavathi | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Uppu Karuvadu | Mudhalvan | | | | Golden Performance |
| Chandhini Kaur | Nagaraj | Thamarai Poovukum | Pasumpon | | | | Golden Performance |

#### Family Round [Part 1 & 2] (episode: 8 & 9)

| Contestant | Mentor | Contestant's Family Member(s) | Score | Score | Score | Round status | Episode # & Date |
| Contestant | Mentor | Contestant's Family Member(s) | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status | Episode # & Date |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | Aiswarya's Sister | | | | | Episode 9 (24 November) |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | Kiruthika's Family Member | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 8 (17 November) |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | Aiswarya's Father | | | | | Episode 8 (17 November) |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | Hemathi's mother | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 9 (24 November) |
| Jofna | Irfan | Jofna's Mother | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 8 (17 November) |
| Agasthiya | Anser | Baboos | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 9 (24 November) |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | Child from Shelter | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 9 (24 November) |
| Chandhini Kaur | Nagaraj | Chandhini's Father | | | | Golden Performance | Episode 8 (17 November) |

#### Action Round (episode: 10)

| Teams | Teams | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Contestant | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Aiswarya | Chandhini Kaur | | | | Golden Performance |
| Kavipriya | Kiruthika | | | | Golden Performance |
| Agasthiya | Jofna | | | | Golden Performance |
| Hemathi | Aiswarya Ragupathi | | | | Golden Performance |

#### Devotional Round (episode: 11)

| Contestant | Mentor | Score | Score | Score | Round status |
| Contestant | Mentor | Vijay Antony | Saritha | Abhirami | Round status |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Balaji Thiyagarajan | | | | |
| Kiruthika | Saravana Vickram | | | | |
| Aiswarya | Vasanth Vasi | | | | |
| Hemathi | Sabaris | | | | |
| Jofna | Irfan | | | | |
| Agasthiya | Anser | | | | |
| Kavipriya | Britto Mano | | | | |
| Chandhini Kaur | Nagaraj | | | | |

### Golden Ticket

Contestants individually receive a Golden Ticket from judge if they complete best Performance for every episodes. The Golden Ticket can be safe zone for no Elimination.
| Contestants | Rounds |
| Jofna | Iconic Recreation (Episode 3) |
| Aiswarya Ragupathi | Movie Recreation (Episode 4) |
| Hemathi | Dance Recreation (Episode 5), Romantic Song Recreation (Episode 7), Family Round (Episode 8/9) |
| Chandhini Kaur | One on One Battle: Live Performance Round (Episode 6) |
| Kavipriya | Action Round (Episode 10) |
| Kiruthika | Action Round (Episode 10) |

## Production

In early August 2024, the show was announced by Zee Tamil. It will provide emerging young talent from across Tamil Nadu an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the Tamil entertainment industry.
Actress Saritha, celebrated for her outstanding performances in South Indian cinema, known for her films like Kalyana Agathigal, Julie Ganapathi, Maaveeran. She will be joined by Tamil music director Vijay Antony who was cast as the first-time judge, along with the popular actress Abhirami Gopikumar, known for her films like Virumaandi. RJ Vijay has officially once again been appointed as the host for Zee Tamil's shows.