Released today, February 14, 2026, Seetha Payanam is a heartfelt family drama directed by Arjun Sarja. This film serves as a grand debut for his daughter, Aishwarya Arjun, and stars Niranjan Sudhindra in the lead role.
The story follows Seetha (Aishwarya Arjun), an aspiring chef raised by her overprotective father, Rajendra Prasad (Sathyaraj). Deeply bonded to him after her mother’s passing, Seetha is hesitant about marriage, fearing her father will be left alone. The narrative shifts during a long road trip where she reluctantly gives a lift to a stranger named Abhi (Niranjan). What starts as a lighthearted journey full of quirky conditions evolves into a deeper connection as they encounter life-changing events, eventually forcing Seetha to choose between love and a hidden truth regarding Abhi’s past.
Aishwarya Arjun makes a confident debut, handling the emotional weight of a daughter’s conflict with grace. Her chemistry with Niranjan Sudhindra is fresh and breezy, and Niranjan himself delivers a promising performance as the charming “boy-next-door.” Sathyaraj is the heart of the film, portraying a father’s silent struggle with moving sincerity, while Prakash Raj adds significant depth to the second half. For the fans, the “Action King” Arjun and Dhruva Sarja provide high-voltage cameo appearances that add a commercial spark to the drama.
Technically, the film is a departure for director Arjun Sarja, focusing on “Love and Gratitude” rather than his typical high-octane action. Anup Rubens provides a soulful soundtrack that elevates the emotional beats, and G. Balamurugan’s cinematography beautifully captures the scenic road trip. While the plot follows a somewhat predictable path seen in many road-trip dramas and the second half feels slightly slow due to some melodramatic sequences, the film remains a clean, “U” certified entertainer.
Seetha Payanam is a sincere attempt to highlight human values and family relationships. It isn’t a groundbreaking cinematic experiment, but it is a wholesome, heartwarming watch for families and couples this Valentine’s weekend.
Seetha Payanam is positive to decent with an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.
