Idhayam Murali (2026): Aakash Baskaran risks monotony in a romance of missed chances
It is a framing device that promises self-awareness, but the film soon settles into a rhythm of repetition that threatens to dull its own charm.
Atharvaa ages across five eras without losing the boyish vulnerability
Atharvaa Murali carries the burden of five distinct time periods, from a schoolboy crush in 1998 to a restless CEO in 2019. His physicality shifts subtly, the slouch of adolescence, the controlled walk of adulthood, but the emotional register stays narrow. The performance is consistent, yet one wonders if consistency in playing hesitation is the same as depth.
Aakash Baskaran’s breezy tone fights his own screenplay
The director establishes a warm, self-aware atmosphere early, with the stranger (Fahadh Faasil) providing meta-commentary that lands. But the screenplay relies too heavily on the same structural beat, a missed confession, across four separate arcs, and the second half loses momentum. The result is a film that feels longer than its 164 minutes because it keeps circling the same emotional cul-de-sac.
The romantic comedy rhythm works in isolation, not in accumulation
The childhood crush episode blends innocence with responsibility, the hospital rush for a pregnancy scare is handled with surprising lightness. It is the film’s most honest moment, where comedy emerges from awkward adolescence rather than forced punchlines.
The college section introduces Amudha (Kayadu Lohar) and a train station departure that audiences have widely praised. The cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and CH Sai makes the farewell linger, but the emotional weight never quite arrives.
The biggest gamble, the climax interruption and video call deadline, falls flat. What should be a cathartic release becomes a sequence of contrivances that undermines the film’s central thesis: that some loves remain unspoken for a reason.
For viewers who enjoy this style of layered nostalgia, browsing more Tamil Drama reviews offers a wider view of the genre’s current pulse.
Fahadh Faasil and Thaman S steal scenes the leads cannot
Fahadh Faasil’s extended cameo as the stranger injects a shot of unpredictability into the final act. His whistle-worthy entry during the wedding interruption is the film’s most energised moment, precisely because he has no emotional baggage to drag. Thaman S, returning to acting, brings genuine comic relief as Sachin, easing the drag of the middle section with well-timed one-liners. Preity Mukhundhan and Kayadu Lohar handle their dual-role and doctor characters with professionalism, but the screenplay gives them little interiority beyond plot function.
Audiences reward charm but note the missing depth
Despite underwritten emotional beats, the film holds an 8.8 on IMDb (3.4K votes) and an 8.6 on BookMyShow (19.7K+ votes), indicating strong audience affection. The nostalgic atmosphere across time periods and Thaman S’s peppy score clearly connect with viewers seeking comfort. But social media sentiment, including Reddit discussions, points to a gap: the film feels feel-good but not truly moving. Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu nailed it: “While the film understands the feeling of unrequited love, it never builds the emotional depth needed to make those moments linger.” Janani K. of India Today noted that “Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography is one of Idhayam Murali’s genuine pleasures.” Times of India and NDTV both rated it 3 out of 5, mirroring the film’s average theatrical run. The film earned 14.18 crore India net in its first week per Sacnilk and Koimoi reports, against a 25 crore budget, settling for an “Average” verdict.
If you want a relaxed, nostalgic romance that doesn’t demand emotional investment, Idhayam Murali will serve you well. But if you need your unrequited love stories to actually cut deep, you might leave the theatre smiling rather than moved. Watch it on OTT where you can savour the music.
The pattern of hesitation across decades finds a sharper, more compressed expression in Apology review, another recent film about words left unsaid.
Idhayam Murali is a pleasant but shallow spin through romantic regret, settling at a generous 3 out of 5. The cameo-driven lift that Fahadh Faasil provides mirrors the ensemble-hold structure in Maharaja Hostel verdict.
Ankit Jaiswal is the Chief Author, covering Indian cinema and OTT releases with honest, no-filler criticism. An SEO strategist by background, he brings a research-driven approach to film writing, cutting through hype to tell you exactly what's worth your time.
