Idhayam Murali Movie Review: "The One Side."
Idhayam Murali (2026) is a Tamil coming-of-age romantic drama directed, co-written, and produced by Aakash Baskaran in his directorial debut. The film stars Atharvaa in the titular role as Idhayam Murali (or Idhaya), paying heartfelt homage to his late father Murali’s iconic 1991 film Idhayam, which explored unrequited love. It features Preity Mukhundhan, Kayadu Lohar, Thaman S (who also composed the music and acts), Niharika NM, and an extended cameo by Fahadh Faasil. With cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and CH Sai, and editing by Pradeep E. Ragav, the movie was released on July 10, 2026. It blends nostalgia, friendship, and the bittersweet pangs of unspoken romance into a breezy entertainer that runs about 164-166 minutes.
The film follows a shy protagonist navigating crushes and missed opportunities across life stages, framed as a story narrated on a flight. It mixes light-hearted humor, self-aware tropes, and feel-good moments, appealing to fans of romantic comedies with emotional undercurrents. While not groundbreaking, it delivers wholesome entertainment with strong casting and music.
Plot Overview
The story opens with Idhaya and his friends rushing from New York to India for his wedding. On the flight, Idhaya narrates his life story to a stranger (Fahadh Faasil), revealing a pattern of unspoken love. It unfolds in episodes: as a child in 1998, he develops an innocent crush on his teacher Geetha (Jonita Gandhi) while helping during her pregnancy. In high school (2006), he falls for Samantha (Preity Mukhundhan), only to discover her identical twin Samyuktha, leading to heartbreak and confusion over which sister he truly loves. College years (2011) introduce Amudha (Kayadu Lohar), a doctor, amid friendships and group trips. Idhaya again fails to confess before she moves away. Later, as a CEO, he reconnects with past flames amid chaos, including a wedding, airport dashes, and confrontations.
The narrative builds to his current wedding dilemma, emphasizing themes of hesitation, nostalgia, and second chances. Twists involving identities and realizations add freshness, though some leaps feel contrived. It ends on a humorous, open note highlighting persistent shyness.
Performance
Atharvaa shines as Idhaya, convincingly portraying the shy, indecisive yearner across ages without tipping into annoyance. His intense voice and emotional restraint anchor the film, making the character relatable. Preity Mukhundhan excels in the dual role, bringing charm, dance energy, and depth to the twins. Kayadu Lohar delivers a mature, grounded performance as Amudha, with a practical closure to her arc standing out. The friendship gang—Thaman S as Sachin, Niharika NM as Lado, Rakshan, Dravid Selvam, and others—infuses natural chemistry and comedy. Fahadh Faasil’s cameo adds charisma and pivotal wisdom. Supporting actors like Natty and Sudhakar enhance the humor. Overall, the ensemble feels authentic, elevating familiar tropes through likable performances.
Technical Aspects
Thaman S’s music is a major highlight, with breezy, nostalgic tracks like “Vaan Vaan,” “Kattazhagi,” and others that capture friendship and romance effectively. The songs integrate well, boosting emotional highs. Cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and CH Sai offers fresh, colorful visuals—twisting camera work, vibrant frames, and effective nostalgia recreation (90s/2000s elements like kuchi ice and TV antennas). VFX for certain sequences (e.g., space/terrace) adds a fantastical touch, though some sets are noticeable. Editing keeps the long runtime mostly engaging but allows occasional drags in the latter half. Production design and choreography support the feel-good vibe, with self-aware humor poking at clichés. The technical package feels polished for a debut, balancing commercial and emotional elements.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths: The film excels in nostalgia baiting and friendship portrayal, creating warm, relatable group dynamics. Self-aware humor saves it from cringe, while the central theme of hesitation in love resonates. Strong music, chemistry, and feel-good fantasy elements provide wholesome entertainment and “warm fuzzy” closure. Atharvaa and the cast’s charm, plus fun cameos, make it an enjoyable OTT/theatrical watch.
Weaknesses: The lengthy runtime drags in places, with underdeveloped emotional depth in romances—questions about the hero’s psyche and motivations linger unresolved. Some storytelling leaps (airport dashes, contrived climaxes) and commercial compromises feel forced. It prioritizes breeziness over substance, limiting high-moment impact.
Final Verdict and Rating
Idhayam Murali is a charming, nostalgic romantic drama that succeeds as light-hearted escapism despite flaws. It honors its predecessor while carving a fun, self-aware identity through friendship, music, and yearner fantasies. Ideal for fans of breezy coming-of-age tales, it leaves you with smiles rather than profound lingering emotions. Worth a watch for its heart and energy, especially on the big screen or OTT.
Rating: 3/5 (or 6.5/10). A pleasant, watchable entertainer elevated by performances and music, but held back by pacing and depth issues.
