For fans of 90s Tamil cinema, the name 'Idhayam Murali' is not new. In the cult film 'Idhayam,' the late actor Murali portrayed a lover who could not express his feelings, and whose love remained one-sided, which can be compared to a modern 'introverted' lover.
Decades later, the actor's son, Atharv, presented this inherited theme in a new format. The film 'Idhayam Murali,' released on Netflix, also features a character unable to voice what he feels; however, unlike the heavy drama of the 90s, the story is presented in a lighter, more contemporary style characteristic of the 'Gen Z' era. Director Aakash Bhaskaran attempted to combine nostalgia for the past with a modern romantic plot.
The action begins during a flight when Idhaya Murali (Atharv) returns from New York to India with his close friends. Only 24 hours remain until his wedding, and everyone is in a hurry. During the journey, they meet a passenger named Surya (Fahad Fasil). Although Surya shows little interest in others' conversations, Idhaya's friends persuade him to tell his story. This is where the flashback begins, detailing Idhaya's love life. The story spans five different time periods, in which four different women enter Idhaya's life: the childhood crush Gita Miss (Jonita Gandhi), the first love Samantha (Priti Mukundan), the college girl Kayadu Lohar, and the fiancée (in a surprise cameo).
The main question of the plot is whom Idhaya considers his true love among the women while suppressing his emotions, and whether he will confess in time. Idhaya was raised by his uncle Thanga (Natradjan Subramanian), who himself never knew how to openly express his feelings, and this habit has the most negative impact on Idhaya's love life. However, an interesting point is noted in the film: when Idhaya experiences heartbreak, he does not collapse like the heroes of the 90s, but handles it quite easily. Despite the film presenting him as a product of old ideas, his pragmatic approach to love appears quite modern, fitting the Gen Z generation.
This entertaining romantic comedy has everything necessary. It features a smart and attractive cast, energetic music by Thamaana (only background music, as the songs are poorly remembered). The beautiful cinematography by Manoj Parmakhansa and CH Sai makes the film visually rich. The creators deliberately maintained the light atmosphere of the film so that no scene becomes overly emotional or dramatic. By abandoning the heaviness of classic 90s romance, the film achieves a fresh, modern execution.
Nevertheless, this light tone becomes the main weakness of the picture. Viewers cannot feel a strong emotional connection to the question of whether the hero will get his love. Even when he manages to find love, believing in it seems somewhat difficult. Although the female characters are very beautiful and hold prestigious professions such as teacher, NASA astronaut, and doctor, they are given a rather limited range in terms of scriptwriting. It is unclear why they fell in love with each other. Even the friend characters do not receive special traits that would make them memorable.
Despite the weak script, the actors maintain interest through their screen presence. Fahad Fasil brings life even to a minor role that appears very simple. One of his scenes in the finale is so impressive that it makes the audience whistle in the theater. YouTuber Sudhakar excels at entertaining with comedic timing. Furthermore, Thamaana's constant background soundtrack largely masks the narrative sluggishness.
The film could have been slightly longer and more tightly structured, but the funny references and unexpected twists that appear occasionally prevent boredom. If the original 'Idhayam' (1991) was a story about the pain and unspoken love of a suffering lover, then 'Idhayam Murali' is a cheerful, fairy-tale, 'feel-good' film where the world constantly gives the hero chances. The film has flaws, but if you want to watch a light, pleasant love story that brings joy, this film will not disappoint you. Millennials are likely to fully relate to this movie, as it may feel like their own story.