Dhanam - Ungalil Oruthi is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language drama television series that premiered on Star Vijay from 17 February 2025 and ended on 16 May 2026 with 380 episodes. It streams digitally on JioHotstar. The show is directed by N. Manjokumar and produced by Kushmavathy under the banner of Estrella Stories LLP. It stars Sathya Devarajan and Sathya SK (who is replaced by Krish) in a lead role alongside Priyanka Sankar and trans actor Vaishulisa Vallal in pivotal roles. The series is also dubbed in Malayalam as Sindoorapottu from 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2026 on Asianet.
Contents
Synopsis
The series revolves around Dhanam, a woman auto driver who balances her family responsibilities and struggles against societal challenges.
Cast
Main
Sathya Devarajan as Dhanalakshmi a.k.a. Dhanam: Ganesha Moorthy's widow and Kathiresan's wife.
Sathya SK (2025) / Krish (Aug.2025–2026) as Manaparai Kathiresan alias Kathir: Dhanam's second husband
Supporting
Rekha Angelina / Agalaya Agal as Vasuki: Kathir's mother
Roopa Sree as Rukku a.k.a Rukmani: Ganesha Moorthy's mother.
Ishwarya Ravichandran as Soundarya : Ganesha Moorthy's sister. Shanmugam’s Wife
Arjun Arumugam as Shanmugam : Soundarya's Husband. Ganesha Moorthy’s friend.
Janhave Tanav as Nila: Kathir's foster daughter and niece
V.J. Kalyani as Shalini: Ganesha Moorthy 's sister.
Douglas Kumaramoorthi as Douglas: Kathir's friend
Peter as Satriyan : Ganesha Moorthy's Brother and Killer
Priyanka as Maragatham: Rukku's Sister, Ganesha Moorthy, Soundarya, Shalini, Satriyan’s maternal aunt.
Priyanka Robo Shankar as Maari
Vaishulisa Vallal as Nandhini
Bhuvaneshwari as Bhuvana
Rakshitaa Maggie as Fathima
Stella Marshal as Stella
Sreedevi Muthukrishnan as Ammu
Shilpa Mary Teresa as Sornavathy: Rukku's sister-in-law
Gurupharan as Pandi
Special appearance
Shreekumar as Ganesha Moorthy: Rukku's son, Dhanam's husband. (2025) (Killed by Satriyan)
Production
The show was launched by Vijay TV in early 2025 after the end of Bigg Boss Tamil 7.
Casting
Ethirneechal fame Sathya Devarajan was cast in the female lead role as Dhanam, by making this her first lead role. At the time of casting, Sathya had been participating in the television series Ethirneechal 2; Sathya would end up leaving her role there in order to join the Dhanam cast. Actor Shreekumar plays an extended special appearance as Ganesha Moorthy. Actor Sathya SK was cast in the male lead role as Manaparai Kathiresan, marking his return after Bigg Boss Tamil 7. However, he also left resulting in Krish to play the role in August 2025.
In May 2025 Priyanka Sankar was cast to play supporting role Maari. In after few Months Trans Actress Vaishulisa Vallal was cast as Nandhini.
Promotion and reception
The show's promotional campaign drew attention by comparing it with other series like Ethirneechal. To celebrate the storyline focusing on women auto drivers, the Dhanam team hosted a special treat and party for 50 women auto drivers.