Ah…….’96…..a
movie which gets right into your heart and beyond. How love comes about and
what it does to nubile hearts…told so sensitively and with empathy. C
Premkumar, a cinematographer turned director’s maiden effort may change viewing
attitudes of audiences. No mindless orgy of violence, or heroism for heroism’s
sake, expensive settings and costumes, song sequences in alien land with
pronounced trick photography or forced comic sequences. It’s as close to realism as possible. The full
houses even in Kerala speak of the people’s connect with honest sentiments. First
timers always put in their 150 per cent effort. Premkumar certainly has.
The movie
has flashbacks intelligently scattered at opportune moments, just when you were
wondering what…..An ordinary middle class school and a loving bunch of high
school kids. A shy boy and a pretty girl who can sing. They harbor feelings for
each other but don’t make it very obvious. Classmates are in the know. The sweetness of the film lies in the way
these aspects are handled…cut to the present…a burly man touching 40, leading a
rough and tough life, who is a photographer and a teacher, coming by his old
school amidst work. Memories rekindled, classmates contacted and a reunion organized.
Twenty two
years melt into nothingness as the buddies (class of ’96) meet. The old
sweethearts who were abruptly separated while still in school also meet face to
face. At this juncture, it would not be fair to not talk of the bgm that brings
out their heart rending feelings. Music is by Govind Vasantha, of our own
Thaikkudam Bridge. Throughout the movie, music is a huge value addition. The
story is told in simple, apt visuals, from the heart, of the heart.
Vijay
Sethupathy as Ram is lovable in the lead and Trisha as Janu has a lot of scope to
emote which she does very well. She appears in just two sets of clothes as the
story is played out in a single night. Her expressive face says it all.
The younger
version of Ram is played by Adithya Bhaskar and that of Trisha, Gouri G Kishan.
These teenagers get a permanent place in your hearts. Not a scene lags and the
script ensures that you are right in the midst of the action. Even the short
role of the teacher is so realistic and well directed. Young Janu, full of
innocence, yet individualistic, gets to put across a gamut of emotions which
she does with elan. Both of them though newcomers, come out in flying colours.
Devadarshini
acts as one of the classmates. Her daughter Niyathi, who looks just like her,
plays the younger version. Gouri, of course, is not related to Trisha but her
smile and demeanour is convincingly Trisha junior. So many scenes stay with
you long after you leave the cinema. To list them would spoil the viewing experience
of those who have yet to see the movie.
’96, sweet,
simple and nostalgic, leaves you stuck in college or school.
