96 Review

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Trisha Krishnan

Music: Govind Vasantha

Direction: C Prem Kumar

The batch of 1996, hence the title 96, is planning to have a reunion and all this is started by K.Ramachanran a.k.a Ram (played by Vijay Sethupathy). The film opens with ‘Life of Ram’ song suggesting us that Ram is a travel photographer. The song visuals also conveys he isn’t enjoying it as we Dhanush enjoys in Mayakkam Enna. Ram is the one who goes to his school after 20 years. The whole scene where Ram admires his school standing in front of the gate to entering the classroom to sliding fingers through the edge of the black board is such a nostalgia. And with Govind Vasantha’s background score you would want to live the school life again.

It’s not the only scene where Govind vasantha’s background score gives an exciting audio visual experience. The songs are a chartbuster before the movie’s release. The ‘Kaathalae Kaathalae’ song’s violin, which itself gives a delightful experience. It’s used in title card and Trisha’s introduction, where audience also go frenzy is such an elation to watch. Before the start of film, the team thanks Illayaraja and Janaki. I thought it was because the film will have Illayaraja’s songs as background score like many other films. But it’s for the feanmale lead, Janaki Devi a.k.a Janu. She is a singer and sings only S Janaki’s songs except Tamil anthem (Tamil thai vazhthu).

Prem Kumar, the director beautifully uses her singing to portray love. During school, Ram asks everyone to request Janu to sing ‘Yamunai aatrile’ song from Thalapathy. But she never sings to irritate Ram. After 22 years she sings the song, when she and Ram are in his house. And we couldn’t see Ram’s reaction hearing to her sing as the house is dark because of power cut. The scene where you feel cheated because you could not see Vijay Sethupathy’s reaction.

Vijay Sethupathy as Ram is brilliant and his small expressions increases the bond between the audience and the character. His expression when he shaves his beard and when Janu touches his cheat cannot be explained in words. Trisha Krishnan as Janu, is amazing. No different dress, just one yellow kurtha in blue jean but beautifies the character with her acting. After Jessie, Janaki Devi a.k.a Janu will be a character that will be appreciated forever. Aadithya Baaskar and Gauri Krishan, who played the young Ram and Janu were also wonderful in pull off the innocent school love.

Prem kumar handles this love in a beautiful way. Every time we see a romantic film, especially in Tamil, we expect the hero to stalk her and propose to her. But in this film, there isn’t a proposal scene. But we know exactly where these two fell in love. And thanks to Govind Vasantha, we too feel the love watching it. Another aspect which impressed me is when Ram disappears suddenly. In most Tamil film, it’s always the girl who disappears. We could see how a girl handles her breakup. In fact, we get two heart break songs for Janu and none for Ram.

Verdict: Love is personified.