Tughlaq Durbar

{{Long plot|date=February 2022}}

In 1986, Rayappan, a Tamil Nadu MLA of the ruling party, is delivering a speech at J.K. Nagar, an impoverished suburb in Chennai, where one of the attendants, a pregnant woman, goes into labour. As a publicity stunt to create sympathy, Rayappan orders his men to help the woman by lending their dhotis. The woman gives birth to a boy, whom Rayappan christens as Singaravelan, or "Singam" on the stage. Singam grows up as an orphan as his mother had died shortly after the birth of his younger sister, Manimegalai, followed by the death of his father due to overdrinking brought on by a broken heart. Singam's relationship with Manimegalai is quite fraught and strained as the former blames her for their parents death and the latter disapproves of the former's obsession towards Rayappan, for whom he even sold her mother's only nosepiece for party promotions. This led to them not speaking on talking terms for 20 years.

In 2021, Rayappan, now a powerful and influential politician, begins scouting for a suitable candidate to work as a councillor for J.K. Nagar. Vying for attention, Singam strives to seek Rayappan's consideration by performing a media stunt by drinking poison in front of press during Rayappan's arrest and gains his trust, much to the irritation and dismay of Mangalam, Rayappan's right-hand man, who is also vying for the position. Singam manages to emerge as Rayappan's favourite within a short span of time by employing hilarious techniques and his friend Vasu's ideas. Frustrated at being sidelined, an infuriated Mangalam brandishes a bottle at Singam's head; he is subsequently expelled from the ruling party for his ruthless behaviour.

Shortly after the incident, Singam develops an alter ego, presumably from his injuries who does quite the opposite of Singam's doings. The next day he gets nominated for the counsellor chair, but beforehand, Rayappan asks for 50 lakhs as a deposit for his post, which he got from duping Kamatchi, a wealthy daughter of a moneylending businessman who Singam initially kidnapped with Vasu as a pawn for extorting money from her father with the help of Vasu's hired goons, only to be saved by his alter ego who first resurfaces by thrashing the goons and saving her. During elections, both Singam and Mangalam try various corrupt tricks to lure the voters and increase their vote bank. Initially, Singam is lagging behind in public opinion and votes due to the lack of money power but manages to gamble on the sympathy by intentionally carrying a pregnant woman Shanti in front of the people to gain voters recognition and trust of the people, much to the horror and dismay of Vasu, but Singam ultimately beats Mangalam to become the new counsellor of J.K Nagar.

Now enters Damayanthi and Mayor into the fray, who run an illegal construction and money laundering firm for corporate companies under the pretext of NGO named Aashirvaad Foundation. They initially sign a contract with Singam under Rayappan as a mediator for evacuation and demolition of J.K Nagar and offer 50 crores as advance as a bribe. But in the wake of the night, Singam's alter ego again resurfaces and leaks the document to media framing Rayappan, Singam and the ruling party under corruption case. An agitated Rayappan calls for an urgent party meeting to catch the culprit but is shocked to see the vigilante masked in CCTV. He then orders Singam to check the whereabouts of the money hideout, only to find the mask used by the vigilante in there. Now begins the cat and mouse game between Singam and vigilante Singam who flunks out what corrupt Singam's plans to do using various tactics and even causes a distrust with Vasu, who leaves him after seeing his evil intentions and Rayappan questioning his loyalty.

Finally, after getting convinced by the evidence found against Singam, Rayappan deduces that Singam is the masked vigilante who has conked all his wrongdoings and orders his henchmen to abduct him, only to be caught red-handed by the income tax department while exchanging money due to the intelligence of the vigilante Singam. After investigations, it is found that Singam handed over only 1/5th of the money. After being bailed out by Kamatchi, who comes across the truth about him and breaks up with him angrily for playing with her emotions. Meanwhile, an angry and denounced Rayappan orders his henchmen to kill Singam in his own area as a statement for betrayal, only to be saved by Lakshmi (whose pregnancy Singam gambled with for vote) and his area people, but not before passing out due to fatal injuries sustained.

In the hospital, Singam realises his folly for betraying trust of his people against their love they showered over him over the years and inspired by Vasu and the final video recording of his alter ego in which he reveals the hideout of remaining money through Vasu, he reconciles with Manimegalai after thrashing her pervert boss who sexually abused many women thereby shaving is head in public and slowly regains his reputation to emerge as the people's favourite MLA candidate in upcoming state elections by performing his duties with the money he stoved away. Fearing his defeat certain and fumed with rage about loss, Rayappan kidnaps J.K Nagar's 40 children to extract the remaining 40 crores from Singam to avenge his loss only to be exposed to media about his atrocities to public and CM, who orders Rayappan to drop his plans not before sacking him from party and issuing orders to arrest Damayanti. In the meeting with CM Nagarajan Chozlan aka Ammavasa, Singam quickly cements his place as CM's right-hand man and becomes J.K Nagar's MLA by playing in the same manner he did with Rayappan, much to the shock and belief of Vasu, who again questions his personality, to which Singam replies there is always a need for a perfect mix of good and evil to sustain in politics.

{{cast listing|

• Vijay Sethupathi as Singara Velan (Singam)
• Akshay Kumar as young Singara Velan{{Cite tweet |number=1356831890934751232 |user=lk_akshay |title=Excited to dub for my role in #TughlaqDurbar..Thanks to my director @DDeenadayaln uncle.. |author=Akshay LK |date=3 February 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205311/https://twitter.com/lk_akshay/status/1356831890934751232 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |url-status=live}}
• Raashii Khanna as Kamakshika (Voice dubbed by Raveena Ravi)
• R. Parthiban as Rayappan{{Cite web |date=1 August 2019 |title=Parthiban joins Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/01/parthiban-joins-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-13376.amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504175327/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/01/parthiban-joins-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-13376.amp |archive-date=4 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=Cinema Express}}
• Manjima Mohan as Manimegalai{{Cite news |date=5 August 2019 |title=Manjima Mohan onboard for Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/05/manjima-mohan-onboard-for-vijay-sethupthis-tughlaq-darbar-13443.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510104936/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/05/manjima-mohan-onboard-for-vijay-sethupthis-tughlaq-darbar-13443.html |archive-date=10 May 2021 |access-date=14 June 2021 |work=Cinema Express}}
• Karunakaran as Vasu
• Bhagavathi Perumal as Mangalam
• Rajkumar as Mangalam's aide
• Samyuktha Shanmuganathan as Damayanthi
• Sathyaraj as Nagaraja Chozhan /Amavasai (cameo appearance)
• Prathap Pothen as Doctor (cameo appearance)
• Madhan Bob as Ayushman Sait (Cameo appearance)
• Vettai Muthukumar as Deputy mayor
• Raju Sundaram, special appearance in the song "Arasiyal Kedi"
• Gayathrie Shankar as a dancer in the song "Arasial Kedi"
• Kannan Ponnaiya as Rayappan's aide
• Risha Jacop{{who|date=June 2024}}
• Raichal Rebecca{{who|date=June 2024}}

}}

Producer S. S. Lalit Kumar, who distributed Vijay Sethupathi's '96 had announced his foray into film production with Sethupathi being cast in the lead role.{{Cite web |date=6 February 2019 |title=Vijay Sethupathi signs a political fiction with '96' distributor Lalith Kumar |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-signs-political-fiction-96-distributor-lalith-kumar-96298 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511124329/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-signs-political-fiction-96-distributor-lalith-kumar-96298 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=The News Minute}} At the special event to commodate the success of '96, Lalit announced their project being tentatively titled as Thuglak and will be helmed by debutant filmmaker Delhi Prasad Deenadayalan, an assistant of Balaji Tharaneetharan. Prasad in his interaction with The Times of India, stated the film is an "out-and-out mass subject", but still a "sensible film". He further revealed that Sethupathi will play a politician, whose character will have "interesting shades" and an "element of fantasy woven into it".{{Cite news |last=CR |first=Sharanya |date=5 February 2019 |title=Vijay Sethupathi's next is a political film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-next-is-a-political-film/articleshow/67832936.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511124329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-next-is-a-political-film/articleshow/67832936.cms |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=8 July 2020 |title=Vijay Sethupathi's role has a dark side in Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-role-has-a-dark-side-in-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/76861406.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512084723/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-role-has-a-dark-side-in-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/76861406.cms |archive-date=12 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} Tharaneetharan was chosen to write the screenplay and dialogues, whereas Govind Vasantha who earlier collaborated with Sethupathi in 96 took charge of composing the music.

The film, officially titled Tughlaq Durbar, was launched on 3 August 2019,{{Cite news |date=3 August 2019 |title=Vijay Sethupathi's 'Tughlaq Darbar' launched with pooja |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-darbar-launched-with-pooja/articleshow/70510281.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511160306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-darbar-launched-with-pooja/articleshow/70510281.cms |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} with Parthiban, Aditi Rao Hydari,{{Cite web |date=2 August 2019 |title=Aditi Rao Hydari to star opposite Vijay Sethupathi in Tamil film 'Tughlaq Durbar' |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/020819/aditi-rao-hydari-to-star-opposite-vijay-sethupathi-in-tamil-film-tugh.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401034136/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/020819/aditi-rao-hydari-to-star-opposite-vijay-sethupathi-in-tamil-film-tugh.html |archive-date=1 April 2021 |access-date=8 May 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}{{Cite web |title=Vijay Sethupathi to romance Aditi Rao Hydari in Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-to-romance-aditi-rao-hydari-in-tughlaq-darbar-1576737-2019-08-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511133918/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-to-romance-aditi-rao-hydari-in-tughlaq-darbar-1576737-2019-08-03 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=India Today|date=3 August 2019 }} Gayathrie and Manjima Mohan{{Cite web |title=Manjima Mohan onboard for Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/05/manjima-mohan-onboard-for-vijay-sethupthis-tughlaq-darbar-13443.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510104936/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/aug/05/manjima-mohan-onboard-for-vijay-sethupthis-tughlaq-darbar-13443.html |archive-date=10 May 2021 |access-date=10 May 2021 |website=Cinema Express|date=5 August 2019 }} announced to play pivotal characters.{{Cite news |title=Aditi Rao Hydari a part of Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aditi-rao-hydari-a-part-of-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/70496447.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511141900/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aditi-rao-hydari-a-part-of-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/70496447.cms |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |title=A new addition to the cast of Tughlaq Darbar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-new-addition-to-the-cast-of-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/70534633.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511124327/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/a-new-addition-to-the-cast-of-tughlaq-darbar/articleshow/70534633.cms |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} Lalit Kumar announced through Twitter in May 2020 that 35 days of shooting was completed before the COVID-19 lockdown in India, with 40 more days of shoot pending.{{Cite news |title=Vijay Sethupathi & Aditi's Tughlaq Darbar has 40 more days of shooting! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathi-aditis-tughlaq-darbar-has-40-more-days-of-shooting/articleshow/75889597.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512084721/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-sethupathi-aditis-tughlaq-darbar-has-40-more-days-of-shooting/articleshow/75889597.cms |archive-date=12 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} Hydari later opted out of the project citing schedule conflicts,{{Cite web |last=Manjula |date=24 October 2020 |title=Why Aditi Rao Hydari Walked Out Of Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/kollywood/why-aditi-rao-hydari-walked-out-of-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-652873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510144402/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/kollywood/why-aditi-rao-hydari-walked-out-of-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-652873 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |access-date=9 May 2021 |website=The Hans India}} and Raashii Khanna was selected to replace her in October 2020, marking Khanna's second collaboration with Sethupathi, after Sangathamizhan.{{Cite web |date=20 October 2020 |title=Raashi Khanna to team up with Vijay Sethupathi again |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/raashi-khanna-team-vijay-sethupathi-again-135779 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818180114/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/raashi-khanna-team-vijay-sethupathi-again-135779 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |website=The News Minute}}{{Cite web |date=20 October 2020 |title=Raashi Khanna replaces Aditi Rao Hydari in Vijay Sethupathi Tughlaq Durbar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/raashi-khanna-replaces-aditi-rao-hydari-in-vijay-sethupathi-tughlaq-durbar/story-XNNpWFkSqJMs2KNF6jLjxJ.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504150901/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/raashi-khanna-replaces-aditi-rao-hydari-in-vijay-sethupathi-tughlaq-durbar/story-XNNpWFkSqJMs2KNF6jLjxJ.html |archive-date=4 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Raashi Khanna replaces Aditi Rao Hydari in Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar due to conflicting schedules |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/raashi-khanna-replaces-aditi-rao-hydari-in-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-due-to-conflicting-schedules-8937271.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126080925/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/raashi-khanna-replaces-aditi-rao-hydari-in-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar-due-to-conflicting-schedules-8937271.html |archive-date=26 November 2020 |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=Firstpost}} Samyuktha Karthik of Bigg Boss fame was announced as a new addition to the film's cast in December 2020.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2020 |title=Bigg Boss Samyuktha in Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/bigg-boss-samyuktha-in-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar/articleshow/79620541.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216092139/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/bigg-boss-samyuktha-in-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-durbar/articleshow/79620541.cms |archive-date=16 December 2020 |access-date=4 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} Filming wrapped on 7 January 2021 and the team began post-production.{{Cite web |last=Ratda |first=Khushboo |date=7 January 2021 |title=Tughlaq Durbar: Raashi Khanna and Vijay Sethupathi treat us with an epic selfie as they wrap up the shoot |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/tughlaq-durbar-raashi-khanna-and-vijay-sethupathi-treat-us-epic-selfie-they-wrap-shoot-590694 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621063003/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/tughlaq-durbar-raashi-khanna-and-vijay-sethupathi-treat-us-epic-selfie-they-wrap-shoot-590694 |archive-date=21 June 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=Pinkvilla}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Tughlaq Darbar

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Govind Vasantha

| released = {{Start date|2021|09|02|df=yes}}

| recorded = 2020–2021

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| length = 15:16

| language = Tamil

| label = Think Music

| producer = Govind Vasantha

| prev_title = Navarasa

| prev_year = 2021

| next_title = Madhuram

| next_year = 2021

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Tughlaq Darbar

| type = soundtrack

| single1 = Annathe Sethi

| single1date = 6 August 2020

}}

}}

The film's soundtrack and background score is composed by Govind Vasantha, and the album featured four songs.{{Cite web |date=18 August 2021 |title=Tughlaq Durbar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Govind Vasantha |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/tughlaq-durbar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1581765633 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906121435/https://music.apple.com/us/album/tughlaq-durbar-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1581765633 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021 |website=Apple Music}} The first single titled "Annathe Sethi" which had lyrics written by Karthik Netha and sung by Arivu, was released by Think Music on 28 September 2020.{{Cite news |title='Annathe Sethi': First single from Vijay Sethupathi's 'Tughlaq Darbar' to be out on August 6 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/annathe-sethi-first-single-from-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-darbar-to-be-out-on-september-28/articleshow/77277251.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902055234/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/annathe-sethi-first-single-from-vijay-sethupathis-tughlaq-darbar-to-be-out-on-august-3/articleshow/77277251.cms? |archive-date=2 September 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} A reviewer from The Times of India, called it as a "spirited political revolutionary song",{{Cite news |title=Annathe Sethi: A spirited political revolutionary song from Vijay Sethupathi's next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/annathe-sethi-a-spirited-political-revolutionary-song-from-vijay-sethupathis-next/articleshow/77344888.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230064557/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/annathe-sethi-a-spirited-political-revolutionary-song-from-vijay-sethupathis-next/articleshow/77344888.cms |archive-date=30 December 2020 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=The Times of India}} and Karthik Srinivasan of Milliblog said, "The song wears its 'revolutionary sound' up-front, but Govind's music is pulsating and very catchy, particularly when the chorus joins Arivu's rousing singing."{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=9 August 2020 |title=Milliblog Weeklies, Week 122 – Aug.09, 2020 |url=https://milliblog.com/2020/08/09/milliblog-weeklies-week-122-aug-09-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906121440/https://milliblog.com/2020/08/09/milliblog-weeklies-week-122-aug-09-2020/ |archive-date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021 |website=Milliblog}}

A year later, the entire soundtrack album was released on 2 September 2021.{{Cite web |date=18 August 2021 |title=Tughlaq Durbar Jukebox: All songs from Vijay Sethupathi starrer |url=https://www.moviecrow.com/News/28924/tughlaq-durbar-jukebox-vijay-sethupathi-govind-vasantha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820135610/https://www.moviecrow.com/News/28924/tughlaq-durbar-jukebox-vijay-sethupathi-govind-vasantha |archive-date=20 August 2021 |access-date=31 August 2021 |website=MovieCrow}} The album received a positive review from Ramya Palisetty of India Today describing the soundtrack as "compelling".{{Cite web |last=Palisetty |first=Ramya |date=18 August 2021 |title=Vijay Sethupathi's Tughlaq Durbar music album out, melodies by Govind are compelling |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-s-tughlaq-durbar-music-album-out-melodies-by-govind-are-compelling-1842485-2021-09-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714081931/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijay-sethupathi-s-tughlaq-durbar-music-album-out-melodies-by-govind-are-compelling-1842485-2021-08-18 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |access-date=31 August 2021 |website=India Today}}

{{Track listing

| title1 = Annathe Sethi

| length1 = 4:19

| headline = Track listing

| lyrics1 = Karthik Netha

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| extra1 = Arivu

| title2 = Kaami Kaami

| length2 = 4:22

| lyrics2 = Madhan Karky

| extra2 = Govind Vasantha, Swastika Swaminathan

| title3 = Arasiyal Kedi

| length3 = 3:19

| lyrics3 = Karthik Netha

| extra3 = SidVoc, Bhuvana Ananth

| title4 = Dravida Kone

| length4 = 3:15

| lyrics4 = Karthik Netha

| extra4 = Hariharasudhan

| total_length = 15:16

}}

The film was initially scheduled for theatrical release in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=19 June 2021 |title=Over 10 Tamil films eye direct OTT premiere as Kollywood industry remains divided on influx of digital platforms |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/over-10-tamil-films-eye-direct-ott-premiere-as-kollywood-industry-remains-divided-on-influx-of-digital-platforms-9715471.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819062107/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/over-10-tamil-films-eye-direct-ott-premiere-as-kollywood-industry-remains-divided-on-influx-of-digital-platforms-9715471.html |archive-date=19 August 2021 |access-date=19 August 2021 |website=Firstpost}} The film premiered directly through Sun TV on 10 September 2021, coinciding with the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi,{{Cite web |date=21 July 2021 |title=Tughlaq Durbar to have a television premiere |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jul/21/tughlaq-durbar-to-have-a-television-premiere-25614.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726160111/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2021/jul/21/tughlaq-durbar-to-have-a-television-premiere-25614.html |archive-date=26 July 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |website=Cinema Express}} and began streaming on Netflix from the following day.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2021 |title=From Laabam to Tughlaq Durbar, here are 4 Vijay Sethupathi films gearing up for September OTT release |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/from-laabam-to-tughlaq-durbar-here-are-4-vijay-sethupathi-films-gearing-up-for-september-ott-release/808743 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909041255/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/from-laabam-to-tughlaq-durbar-here-are-4-vijay-sethupathi-films-gearing-up-for-september-ott-release/808743 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=Times Now}}

Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote, "With a very promising core idea, the film could’ve been a lot more ambitious, but it settles for less. Nevertheless, Tughlaq Durbar largely entertains with a fun twist on familiar tropes and some highly memorable performances".{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=2021-09-10 |title=Tughlaq Durbar movie review: Vijay Sethupathi's film is a largely entertaining political comedy with a wacky twist |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/tughlaq-durbar-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-s-film-is-a-largely-entertaining-political-comedy-with-a-wacky-twist-101631264927737.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910144117/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/tughlaq-durbar-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-s-film-is-a-largely-entertaining-political-comedy-with-a-wacky-twist-101631264927737.html |archive-date=10 September 2021 |access-date=2021-09-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} Baradwaj Rangan wrote for Film Companion, "The second half seems all over the place, like little scenes stitched together instead of one integral, organic screenplay. The ending is funny in a certain way but it also doesn't fit in with the rest of the film. It might work as a standalone scene, but like the rest of the film, it needed far better writing and conceptualization".{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=12 September 2021 |title=Tughlaq Durbar, With Vijay Sethupathi On Netflix, Has A Great Premise That Needed An Equally Great Screenplay To Exploit Its Potential |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/tughlaq-durbar-review-netflix-vijay-sethupathi-great-premise-that-needed-an-equally-great-screenplay-raashi-khanna-baradwaj-rangan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117021405/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/tughlaq-durbar-review-netflix-vijay-sethupathi-great-premise-that-needed-an-equally-great-screenplay-raashi-khanna-baradwaj-rangan/ |archive-date=17 January 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |website=Film Companion}}

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Category:2020s Indian films

Category:2020s political satire films

Category:2020s Tamil-language films

Category:2021 directorial debut films

Category:2021 films

Category:2021 television films

Category:Film productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films scored by Govind Menon

Category:Films set in 1986

Category:Films set in 2021

Category:Films shot in Chennai

Category:Indian political satire films

Category:Indian television films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films