Meyaadha Maan

"Meyaadha Maan" is a Tamil romantic-comedy movie from India released in 2017. Helmed by debutant director Rathna Kumar, this vibrant and compelling story revolves around middle-class life in Chennai, giving an insightful glimpse into modern-day love, friendship, aspirations and life.

The film features a stellar cast, including Vaibhav Reddy, who plays the lead character, "Idhayam" Murali; Priya Bhavani Shankar, playing the female lead, Madhumita; and Vivek Prasanna, who portrays the charming character of Vinoth, Murali's best friend.

"Meyaadha Maan" opens with an intrinsically Chennai life setting, where Murali, an ordinary youngster, lives. He is an ardent fan of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MGR, and consequently, his character was coined as 'Idhayam' Murali, after MGR’s popular yesteryear film. Murali's character is spineless in expressing his love due to his middle-class insecurities. He has been hopelessly in love with his friend and neighbor Madhu, played by Priya Bhavani Shankar, for years, yet he struggles to express his feelings for her. His life takes a turn when Madhu gets engaged to someone else, setting their lives on an unexpected and emotional journey.

Supplementing the lead actors is Vivek Prasanna, who brilliantly portrays Murali's loyal best friend Vinoth, a local pub owner, and an influential character who stands by Murali in thick and thin.

The characters of this movie are believable and relatable, which is a significant draw. The screenplay lays an excellent foundation that gets you invested in the characters, and they feel like people you might know, making the movie more engaging and emotionally accessible.

The best part about "Meyaadha Maan" is its treatment of the ‘one-sided love’ concept. It cleverly balances emotional depth with great humor, ensuring that the narration never becomes heavy or melancholic. There are many lovable moments, and the pleasing screenplay allows you to enjoy the narrative.

"Meyaadha Maan" is not just a romantic comedy; the essence of true friendship is also intertwined in the backdrop. This movie expertly encapsulates all the emotions experienced by a common man – everything from love, friendship, embarrassment, joy, and sorrow.

Director Rathna Kumar tastefully sets the movie in North Chennai, allowing the audience to experience the locale's unique culture and vibrancy. The cinematography by Vidhu Ayyanna and editing by Shafiq Muhammed Ali help to project Chennai in a distinct yet magical way, giving the movie a local flavor and an intimate feel.

Music plays a significant role in this film. The beautiful musical score and background music by Santhosh Narayanan and Pradeep Kumar add depth to the emotional scenes, uplifting the overall mood of the film. The songs became instant chartbusters and helped to popularize the film both before and after its release.

Lastly, the performances are what truly bring "Meyaadha Maan" to life. Vaibhav Reddy has delivered an earnest performance as the lovelorn Murali, while Priya Bhavani Shankar's extraordinary debut as Madhumita stands out, and her chemistry with Vaibhav is refreshing and poignant. Vivek Prasanna further adds value to the narrative with his remarkable performance as the doting friend.

"Meyaadha Maan" is no ordinary love story. It’s a sincere film that crafts a trajectory of love and friendships with an innocent charm and has successfully won the hearts of its audience. It is a testament to good storytelling combined with relatable characters and fantastic performances that leaves a lasting impact on the viewers. This movie is a light-hearted, yet profound portrayal of 'one-sided love' being staged on the canvas of friendship and daily life, making it a delightful watch. Indian cinema lovers who appreciate strong performances, nuanced romance and enchanting music will find this movie truly captivating.