[1] It depicts the tragic life and fall of Madhava Padayachi, a simple villager, played by Sathyaraj, and his family.

Also starring Archana, Nassar and Rohini in supporting roles, the film was released on 30 November 2007 to high critical acclaim and was praised as one of the best movies in Tamil cinema.

[2][3] A seventy-year-old man, Madhava Padayachi, meets his old friend's 23-year-old son Murugan in Chennai, who was leaving for their native village for his father's death day rites.

In the meantime, Madhavan's last son falls in love with a girl from a lower caste, and the entire village, including Velayi, is against the marriage.

Upon Dhandapani's influence, Madhavan's two sons and their wives rebel against them and create a huge verbal fight in the house.

An unforeseen scuffle incident makes Madhavar leave Hajabhai's home for good, and he sets off on a long journey that recalls the last years of his life.

Madhavan's second was falsely blamed for a murder and due to repeated legal issues, he killed himself, and his wife went back to her father's place with her kids.

[5] Behindwoods wrote: "Thankar Bachan has all elements of his creative genius and is sure to make an impact as a masterpiece among true movie lovers.

Onbadhu Roobai Nottu is sure to find favors among true movie buffs and would entice great circulation especially among people who love films as passionately as any art form.

"[6] Indiaglitz wrote: "Thankar Bachachn is one of the rare filmmakers in Tamil industry, who believe in story rather than stars or fanfare.

"[2] Kathir Bharathi of Kalki praised the acting of star cast, music, cinematography, screenplay, dialogues and concluded saying Thangar Bachan for portraying the ups and downs of a Tamilian in heartfelt manner and directors like him taking Tamil cinema to next level is a good event.

[7] Chennai Online wrote "The script does lag at places, losing a bit of focus, and some trimming could have helped here.

But what is commendable is Bachan's persistence in not bowing to commercial considerations, treading his lonely path, and attempting to make films that are different and more rooted to the soil.