With 96, Prem Kumar, the
cinematographer-turned-debut filmmaker has not made a film, but woven pure and
impeccable poetry on celluloid. 96 is a matured love story and, in a
way, a difficult plot to handle — one that is akin
to walking a tight rope: just a little bit of misdirection
will make it banal. But a self-assured Prem builds it in a realistic way that
it works absolutely perfect.
Ramachandran (Vijay Sethupathi) is a travel photographer who loves to
tour and capture passionate moments on his camera. A chance visit to his
hometown Tanjore rekindles his fond memories. He recalls his childhood days —
the hospital where he was born, the first big shopping centre in the town and
finally stops at the school where he studied in 1996, where he met the love of
his life Janaki Devi aka Jhanu (Gauri Kishan) while in 10th grade.
While Ram (Adithya Bhaskar) is an introvert, Jhanu is quite fearless and likes
him too. Circumstances drift them apart.
Cut to
present, Ram wants to have a reunion of class ’96. There he meets Subha
(Devadarshini), Murali (Bhagavathi Perumal), Satish (Aadukalam Murugadoss) and
then arrives Jhanu (Trisha), now married and settled in Singapore. Both Ram and
Jhanu are flustered and excited by how they get to meet once again after a gap
of 22 years. In each other's eyes there is delight and shock. The rest is all
about how they live the present moment, given that Jhanu has a flight to catch
early next morning with intercuts of the past narrated in a heartening and
captivating manner.
The
lead pair of Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha has achieved a remarkable feat by
penetrating the lives of their characters. You can feel the chemistry, the
sparks flying, but no overtures, only simple and pure love. The duo emotes
as they talk while on a walk, and their sincere outpourings begin to make you
wonder as to why can't they just be in unison!
A
natural performer that he is, VSP shines every bit in the film. Don’t miss his
embarrassing yet proud feeling when Trisha asks him, ‘Are you still a virgin?
Has no girl told you that she has fallen for you? Nee Aambala Naattu Kattada.’
You
can easily call it Trisha’s best-ever performance till date. With her nuanced
expressions combined with class and elegance, Trisha looks like a dream and
acts like one.
The
two youngsters, Adhitya, as younger Vijay Sethupathi, and Gauri, as younger
Trisha, are aptly cast and they have performed exceptionally well. Every other
character including Bhagavathy Perumal, Devadarshini and Murugadoss, who play
classmates, Janagaraj and Kavithalaya Krishnan, in cameos, have given a
laudable account. Though one feels the movie drags a bit in the second half,
you need that kind of space for a script like this. The closing shots, where
the duo parts ways, leave you in tears; still the director has ended the film
on an optimistic note.
Govind
Vasantha’s enthralling music and the emotionally-charged songs, combined with
its visual splendour, hugely elevate the proceedings, especially the ‘Kadhale
Kadhale’ song. And the director has beautifully utilised Ilayaraja’s evergreen
songs in nostalgic moments and the soulful number ‘Yamunai Aattrile’ in a
fitting situation. Shanmugasundaram and Mahendran’s alluring frames warrant
mention. Prem’s honest attempt of portraying the true essence of love without
taking any cinematic liberties makes 96 the kind of genre-defining
film that creates a benchmark for many years to come. A must-watch movie!
-
meghna sunil kumar
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