C. Prem Kumar’s debut feature film entered the pantheon of the greatest romantic dramas produced by the Tamil film industry; 2018’s ‘96’ starring Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha is a delicate film told by a first-time director with an assured and gentle tone. Due to the largely warm welcome his first film received, a mountain of expectation was placed on the director, as his fans tentatively waited to see if he could recapture lightning in a bottle. Six years later, Prem Kumar returns with his next film, ‘Meiyazhagan’ starring Arvind Swamy and Karthi in the lead roles. 

The film follows Arulmozhi Varman (Arvind Swamy), a man returning to his hometown after twenty-two years to attend a wedding. We then watch for most of the runtime as Arulmozhi reconnects with people from his past over the course of the night, and the unexpected internal journey he undertakes. The plot is wonderfully wrought, allowing the central themes of identity, memory and nostalgia to blossom. 

The lead duo of Arvind Swamy and Karthi are spectacular in their respective roles. Arvind Swamy is in fantastic form, who displays a role with an immense quiet sadness, wrestling with a knotted past with ease. The ever-lovable Karthi is a perfect fit for his character, a role with both the lightest and largest heart witnessed in recent cinematic memory. The chemistry between the two characters is a joy to watch unfold. All the supporting cast are great in their roles too, managing to create lasting impressions with minimal screen time. Rajkiran, Jayaprakash and Swathi Konde come to mind as performances that are most immediately impactful, moving mountains in moments. 

The technical craft of the film is superb too. The cinematography is never overly showy, but precise and gorgeous. The second half takes some unexpected tangents, which bolster the themes of the film. The runtime may seem daunting, but if you allow yourself to be drawn into the experience, you will not notice the time go by. 

Govind Vasantha’s soundtrack and score, although not as immediately iconic as his work for ’96’, serves the film very well. The music is mostly quiet, melancholic and melodramatic, nicely hinting at the whirlwind of emotions of our protagonist. The highlight of the soundtrack is ‘Oor Manney’, an aching feeling of revisiting the past put into musical form. Kamal Haasan also lends his voice for ‘Poraen Naa Poraen’ and ‘Yaaro Ivan Yaaro’, both of which fill the tracks with a fragile vulnerability. 

Overall, it is difficult to write about ‘Meiyazhagan’ without delving into spoiler territory. The film is a truly rewarding and transformative experience if you allow it to be. C. Prem Kumar manages to outdo his debut with an incredibly moving story about self-discovery. It is a sweet, wholesome and funny film overflowing with heart.

Krishna's rating: 5 stars. 

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Official trailer for film below.