Vaagai Sooda Vaa (TV series)

Vaagai Sooda Vaa (transl. Come, wear the crown of victory) is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language family Melodrama television series starring Irfan, Pavithra Aravind, Kuyili and Gayatri Shastri in lead roles.^[1] The series explores the complex relationship between a grandmother and her grandson and middle-class girl Meenakshi, set against the backdrop of family dynamics and traditions.

It is produced by Devan Charles, P. Praveen Kumar and Saranya Veeramani under the banner of Parable Pictures and directed by Prathap Mani. It premiered on Zee Tamil on 26 January 2026, and airs on Monday to Saturday at 21:30 and streams digitally on ZEE5.^[2]

The series is set in Madhurai. The story is about a middle-class family single mother, Sumathi. After her husband's death, she raised her daughters, Thenmozhi and Meenakshi, with values. She aspires to achieve her dream.

Annapoorani, a woman who rules her family because money is all that matters. Grandson Jeevanatham opposes his grandmother. Thenmozhi marries into Mano's debt-ridden family. But, to protect Thenmozhi and restore the family's dignity, Meenakshi weds Jeeva. Meenakshi faces challenges in the form of her conservative Annapurani. But his husband Jeevanatham supports and helps her to achieve and fulfill the dreams.^[3]

• Irfan as Jeevanatham
• Pavithra Aravind as Meenakshi
• Kuyili as Annapurani
• Gayatri Shastri as Sumathi

• Parveen as Thenmozhi
• R. Karuna Vilasini as Devi
• Sakthivel Adhi Meena as Manoharan
• Janaki as Sakthishwari; Jeeva, Mano and Devi's Mother
• Arul Rajan as Lokanathan; Jeeva, Mano and Devi's Father

• Vichithra as S. Kalaiyarasi^[4]
• Ajay Rathnam

Vaagai Sooda Vaa was produced by Devan Charles, P. Praveen Kumar and Saranya Veeramani under the banner of Parable Pictures. The series is directed by Prathap Mani, known for his series like Deivam Thantha Poove (2021–2023), Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2022–2023), Valliyin Velan (2024–2025) and written by Alvin Prashanth Raj.

Actor Irfan was cast as the male lead Jeevanantham, making his comeback to acting in Television serials after JioHotstar’s Kana Kaanum Kaalangal. Actress Pavithra Gowda plays the lead role as Meenakshi in the series, making her comeback to acting in Television serials after Star Vijay’s Kanne Kalaimaane.^[5]

Veteran Tamil actress Kuyili was cast as the main negative lead Annapurani, making her comeback to acting in Tamil serials after 4 years. Her last approach in Zee Tamil serial Ninaithale Inikkum. Gayatri Shastri was cast in the important role as Sumathi, for her notable performance in Metti Oli and Roja.^[6] The series also reunited R. Karuna Vilasini, Shakthi and Ajay Rathnam who previously acted together in Pandian Stores 2. Vichithra was cast as Police officer S. Kalaiyarasi in special appearances.^[7]

On 1 January 2026, the first Launch promo was released, which gave a brief insight into both Meenakshi and Jeevanatham's lives.^[5] The second promo was unveiled on 11 January 2026, featuring Annapurani's family intrusion story and main plot of the series. on 19 January, revealing the release date.^[8]

It began airing on Zee Tamil, from 26 January on Monday to Saturday at 21:30, replacing Parijatham time slot.^[9][10]

• Vaagai Sooda Vaa at ZEE5