Tamil film ‘96’ a love story that blows in like a fresh whiff of air

By Mythily Ramachandran

Cinematographer turned director Prem Kumar wins hearts with this pristine love tale that leaves a lump in your throat

Like all school reunions this one takes a 1996 year batch of students on a nostalgic road.
Ram (Vijay Sethupathi) and Jaanu (Trisha), who were in love at school- but lost track of each other due to certain circumstances- are meeting after twenty-two long years.
Will it rekindle the old flames, wonder their close friends?

Much water has flown under the bridge since Ram and Jaanu last met in school as teenagers. Ram is now a professional photographer. Jaanu lives in Singapore with her husband and daughter. 

After the reunion is over and the good-byes have been done with, Ram and Jaanu find some time alone. It’s just a couple of hours together before Jaanu boards her flight to Singapore.

Cinematographer turned director, Prem Kumar builds within those few hours a beautiful and emotional tale that speaks from the heart and untainted by this era of instant gratification. 

With ’96’ Kumar finds a firm footing as a director of immense promise.

Teenage years and school crushes walk hand in hand. ‘96’ belongs to that era when whatsapp was unknown. Ram  and Jaanu spoke with their eyes. The three magical words were never uttered aloud. In fact Ram is the shy guy. What makes this relationship unique is that it never dies.

So even after two decades when Ram and Jaanu meet at the school reunion, their love and respect for each other has not changed.

Unlike most romantic tales, ‘96’ does not ride piggy back on silly duets, and contrived romantic encounters. Although it takes a while to warm up in the first half, there is a spontaneous flow in the narration. Its love in all its purity-lust never mentioned. 

Director Kumar’s writing is free of malice towards life and about acceptance-as the two protagonists show. Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha both consummate actors share a beautiful onscreen chemistry. They are terrific. 

If Sethupathi’s effortless performance as Rasool in ‘Chekka Chivantha Vaanam’ had us hooting for him, his Ram- the man who loves tenderly and with no expectations- is every woman’s dream guy.  Trisha makes her Jaanu endearing-laudable is her mature acting.   

Actors Aaditya Bhaskar as young Ram and Gouri G Kishan as young Jaanu cannot be easily forgotten. It’s an impressive debut. Devadarshini and Bhagavathy Perumal as close friends of Ram and Jaanu keep us chuckling. 

After watching gory thrillers or hard to laugh at comedies, and marble like romantic stories, Prem Kumar’s ‘96’ is a classic love story that will be fondly remembered. It’s neat. There are no lines and jokes that will leave you squirming in your seat.