Meiyazhagan OTT release: Karthi-Arvind Swamy's family drama lands on streaming two days early
Written and directed by C Prem Kumar, Meiyazhagan is a story of missed connections and homecomings that redefines the essence of simple pleasures.
Updated : October 25, 2024 10:40 AM ISTWritten and directed by C Prem Kumar, Meiyazhagan is a story of missed connections and homecomings that redefines the essence of simple pleasures.
Meiyazhagan
The much-anticipated Tamil film Meiyazhagan officially landed on Netflix on Friday, two days ahead of its expected release. The film was originally set to arrive on the streaming platform on October 27, just in time for the Deepavali celebrations. Starring Karthi and Arvind Swamy, this feel-good drama arrived on OTT shortly after its four-week theatrical run, following the recent trend of quick streaming releases.
While Meiyazhagan was initially released in theatres with a runtime of nearly three hours, the filmmakers trimmed 18 minutes after the first week to accommodate what they perceived as shifting audience preferences. This move sparked a backlash among loyal fans who felt that key scenes were lost in the edit, such as the hero's bold defiance of a Jallikattu ban and his reflections on government violence against civilians—moments fans believe captured the core spirit of Meiyazhagan.
Viewers who had hoped Netflix would carry the uncut version were disappointed, as the platform now streams the shorter, 2-hour-38-minute edit . While this has been a letdown for those eager to see C. Prem Kumar’s full vision, Meiyazhagan continues to resonate with audiences. Produced by Suriya's 2D Entertainment, the film deeply connects with themes of family, nostalgia, and self-discovery.
Meiyazhagan is a story of missed connections and homecomings that redefines the essence of simple pleasures. The film centres around the relationship between two cousins, played by Arvind Swamy and Karthi. The director divides the movie into three acts, dedicating each act to exploring the psychological landscape of each lead character. He familiarizes the audience with their likes, dislikes, aspirations, and suppressed emotions and desires, before allowing the two characters to reconcile in the final act, creating a space for self-discovery and reflecting on the significance of staying connected to one’s roots to maintain a grip on self-identity.
The film also features memorable melodies from Govind Vasantha, with the standout track "Yaaro Ivan Yaaro," sung by Kamal Haasan, emerging as the soul of the movie.