Maayaandi Kudumbathaar is a unique effort in that its cast is primarily composed of directors who are trying their hand in front of the camera. But that is the only thing unique about the film, which is otherwise really old-fashioned in its choice of setting, characters and storyline. Still, the outdated characters and the old-fashioned sentiments are intermittently effective, ensuring that the film has its moments.

Maayaandi(Manivannan) has raised his four sons on his own since his wife died and they in turn think the world of him. But his elder brother Virumaandi(G.M.Kumar), who has four sons of his own, sees Maayaandi as his enemy and his older three sons share this feeling. As a result, destroying Maayaandi's family is their intent. Maayaandi sends his youngest son Paraman(Tarun Gopi) to college but his daughters-in-law aren't too happy about that. Meanwhile Paraman is in love with Poongodi(Poongodi), who was his classmate in school and is now studying medicine in Chennai.

Since the film has so many characters(there's Manivannan, his four sons and two daughters-in-law, his daughter and son-in-law, his brother and his four sons, his sister and her daughter and a couple of other relations. Whew!) it is forced to spend a lot of time introducing them to us. So the storyline doesn't move much initially as we get to know the characters and the dynamics between them. But the key characters are shaped well and the love and affection that exists between father and sons and between brothers, which drives later events, are portrayed well. But there are also one too many clashes between Manivannan's family and his brother's family and things get tend to get a little repetitive.

Once Manivannan leaves the picture, the focus shifts to Tarun Gopi. There is no subtlety whatsoever in the proceedings here and the actions of the characters around him seem extreme and unrealistic. Yet, surprisingly, it works. As Tarun is mistreated and the other brothers struggle between fulfilling their father's wish and keeping him happy, the love the brothers have for each other is showcased in a heartwarming manner. That love, along with Tarun's good heart and sad state creates a scenario that is quite effective in touching our hearts. It helps that the events that lead to a change of heart in his tormentors are also realistic and brought in quite naturally.

While the immediate reactions of characters(like Tarun's sister after his visit to her son's ear-piercing function) are still loud and seem overdone, things settle down eventually and these quieter moments are more effective. Not everything turns out quite as we expect but even the unpleasant surprises have a silver lining. This ensures that while the proceedings are quite sad, things do not get unbearably pessimistic. The climax also follows this route though it seems a bit forced.

The directors prove to be good actors also and fit their roles well. Tarun Gopi has the meatiest role and underplays it well in the second half. One important reason why his position saddens us is that he is quiet while everyone around him seems loud. Ponvannan and Seeman also play the affectionate brothers well though the latter's voice is a big distraction. Manivannan is solid as always and Poongodi's eyes are expressive enough to do the job as she mostly communicates through them. Sabesh-Murali come up with a couple of melodious numbers.