Meiyazhagan review: Karthi, Arvind Swamy lead a must-see soul-stirring tale about life’s simple truths

Filmmaker C Prem Kumar delivers once again with his latest movie Meiyazhagan, delivering another nostalgia-heavy exploration of the pains and simple pleasures of life—things most of us overlook in the pursuit of bigger and more expensive aspirations.

Meiyazhagan follows two lead characters: a nameless man (Karthi) and Arunmozhi Varman, or Arul (Arvind Swamy). Arul is your average urban dweller, living the typical 9-to-5 grind, constantly worrying about paying bills. In contrast, the nameless man lives a full and free life. He owns a bull, nicknamed Dhoni, which is undefeated in Jallikattu events, has a close-knit group of friends who will bring him beer at 3 a.m., and a large family that genuinely cares for him. Arul, on the other hand, is deprived of these luxuries, having been forced to leave his hometown 22 years ago due to a property dispute among his close relatives. Since then, Arul and his family have kept their distance from their relatives and their past.

Arul is reluctantly forced to return to his hometown for his cousin’s wedding, attending only for the love of his sister. There, he meets the nameless man, a stranger to Arul but someone who knows his entire history. Initially, Arul dismisses him as a village fool, hiding his distaste for the man’s overly enthusiastic and talkative nature. However, Arul soon grows fond of him upon realizing the man’s genuineness. There is not a trace of pretence in his character. A fateful night spent at the man’s house allows Arul to rediscover himself, reconnecting with who he was before he moved to the city and got caught up in the rat race.

Prem Kumar makes a compelling case for why we must understand our history, family, and the land we come from. He argues that only when we remember who we are can we develop a sense of self—a foundation that allows us to live a life worth retelling during a fun night with a couple of beers. Karthi's nameless man knows his history and lives a life worthy of being recorded in it. In contrast, Arul remains a passive observer, rarely participating in life and watching helplessly as it passes him by.

The nameless man shares personal stories that start as nostalgic pieces but build to moments that may leave you with goosebumps. Both the story of the bull and the bicycle are standout highlights, likely to leave you teary-eyed.

A story is truly successful when it engrosses you so deeply that you fail to see the obvious answer, even when it’s right in front of you. This happens when you're no longer watching as an outsider but are completely in the headspace of the characters. You only know what they know, and you unconsciously decide not to step out of the moment, eager to discover the answer along with them. This is a sign of a movie that has truly captured your imagination—and your heart.

Meiyazhagan is one such film, demonstrating the true power of storytelling. It's a joy to witness C Prem Kumar’s unwavering belief in his narrative style. At a time when it's widely believed that you need to make bigger, more extravagant films to capture audience attention, he has created a movie that grips viewers with ease. The way he unravels Meiyazhagan draws you into its world, allowing you to experience a range of emotions with its characters—partly because you can feel the honesty behind these stories.