Meiyazhagan Review..!!

Meiyazhagan is the second film of Director Prem Kumar, who has earlier given us the nostalgic tale of lost love in ‘96 Movie’ in 2018. The film was quick to be appreciated by the critics and audience alike, while everyone raved about the chemistry between Vijay Sethupathi & Trisha. After 6 years, he is back with yet another soulful tale of brotherhood, starring Arvind Swamy & Karthi in the lead. Arvind Swami plays Arulmozhi and Karthi plays the titular character Meiyazhagan.

Cut to 1996, we see a teary-eyed Arul, who is in his teenage, in the Tanjore Temple premise. Arul is so connected to his home but as tragedy strikes, this night is going to be his last day in his hometown. His father has to sell his ancestral house to his siblings due to a family dispute and hence decides to leave Tanjore forever. Eventually, Arul is heartbroken and he is emotionally scarred for life. Arul’s memories are so intense and director uses some powerful visuals to communicate with the audience. A few of them being, Arul’s last stroll through his house, where he picks up a leaf from the backyard of the house. Arul embracing a baby elephant in the temple premise before bidding farewell. Arul comforting his very young cousin sister, who he is so attached to. Finally, Arul’s final glance at his house and his bicycle. Yes, this bicycle is way more important in the story than we imagine. As the title cards are still rolling, the director has firmly established Arul. His pain is our pain and has already drawn parallels to many such people who have experienced a similar tragedy. The whole episode is sincere and comes out of a thoughtful writing.

Now in 2018, Arul and his family lives in Chennai. He is married and has a daughter as well. But Arul’s pain rests deep in his heart and still carries an emotional weight for 20 years. He is scared of facing the past and even hates the very idea of going to his hometown. But as fate would have it, he has to visit his hometown to attend the wedding of his cousin sister, Bhuvana. In this journey, he tries to reminisce each and every moment he had in his childhood. But the biggest challenge he would be facing is to meet his once loved people after so many years.

RajKiran plays one such character called Sokku Mama and Arul is so happy to see him. At first thought, Arul seemed to be uncomfortable, being around the marriage reception. Yet he comes out of character and is jovial around those people. He shares an emotional union with these people. We would wonder why he was afraid to visit his hometown in the first place. He is not afraid of being himself around them. Among them, an unknown person played by Karthi, happens to send Arul in a fix. Arul has to pretend knowing him and one event to lead to another, which finally makes Arul to stay back.

The movie is filled with emotional episodes. Director Prem Kumar lets his characters to express their emotions without any hesitation. There is emotional outpouring in every such episodes. In a slowly developed drama, the director resorts to conversations and expressions that feel so realistic. Hence there is plenty of time devoted for each episode. Arul’s tender encounter with his cousin Latha, Sokku Mama’s conversation over phone with Arul’s father and their heartfelt exchange with tears in their eyes, finally Bhuvana and Arul’s poignant and touching union. Each of these scenes will move us to tears.

But the best part of the film probably comes after the reception episode. There is a long 1-hour drama between Arul & Meiyazhagan. They have soulful and meaningful interaction all through the night. They start expressing themselves and Meiyazhagan slowly starts bringing change in Arul. He finds out that Meiyazhagan, in his childhood found solace in Arul’s kindness. Arul recognizes his long-lost memories and he starts to cherish those memories. But it hasn’t completely changed him. There is a guilt that gets further aggravated due to the fact that Arul still doesn’t recognize the person who is so gentle to him. Every single conversation was meaningful and emotionally stirring, that gets justified through a really rewarding climax.

Karthi & Arvind Swamy exchange a sense of brotherhood that is so personal. This light hearted moment of joy is the USP of the film. It can turn away all the pain. Their candid conversations, subtle nuances and emotions are top notch. They remain etched in our memories. There are men characters without an ounce of toxicity. They are vulnerable and adorable with varied emotions. And Finally, Meiyazhagan is a heartwarming exploration of brotherhood, taking through a nostalgic journey.