Ithiri Neram review: A mature, nuanced look at love, loss and second chances
‘Ithiri Neram’ Movie Review: Director Prashanth Vijay’s ‘Ithiri Neram’ is a bittersweet drama starring Roshan Mathew and Zareen Shihab in stellar performances. The film highlights second chances and what could have been in the most realistic way.
How many of you have ever been in a relationship that may seem perfect, but time does not allow you to pursue it? Do you look back at the relationship and wonder how life might have changed if you had married your partner? Or do you move on in life even if you don’t get a proper closure? Director Prashanth Vijay’s ‘Ithiri Neram’ is a film that addresses all this and the social judgment that comes with past lovers meeting for the last time. Will this be the last time?
Anish (Roshan Mathews), who runs a podcast called Ithiri Neram (A Little While), is married and has a child. With his child’s baptism taking place the next day, Aneesh plans a booze party with two of his male colleagues. While he is on his way to meet them, he gets a call from his ex-girlfriend Anjana (Zareen Shihab), who is in Thiruvananthapuram for a day. After some awkward exchanges, the two decide to meet later.
Aneesh and Anjana reunite seven years after their bitter breakup. Residual feelings settle in, their conversation extends to drinks and the two discuss their lives – why it didn’t work out and whether they miss each other. After two hours and 15 minutes, we get to see if Anish and Anjana get the closure they need.
Director Prashanth Vijay’s ‘Ithiri Neram’ is a subtle and mature take on relationships. How two people in their early 20s behave in love and how they deal with breakups as mature adults is portrayed in the most realistic manner. Roshan Mathews and Zareen Shihab’s performances and their impeccable chemistry draw you into their world. Perhaps it is his sincere portrayal that makes us feel closer to Aneesh and Anjana.
What works for ‘Ithiri Neram’ is that it doesn’t rush its emotions. The writing highlights the dilemma that two people go through when they meet after a long time, combining poignant moments with gentle humor. Watching Anish and Anjana, you see people who could easily be your friends, whose secrets and regrets come out quietly rather than bursting out dramatically. Zareen Shihab particularly stands out – her performance is natural and impressive, and her scene asking Anish if he missed her is handled with impressive restraint. Roshan Mathew uses understatement to portray Anish, hinting at more than he says.
Supporting actors like Nandu and Anand Manmadhan add colour, bringing witty banter and local flavor that keeps the story rooted and relevant. It’s a smart choice: Friends don’t just fill space, they shape how we see Anish. Watching ‘Ithiri Neram’ one has to wonder if Roshan’s Aneesh is doing the right thing as a married man. And we get to see that perspective too through Nandu’s Rajan and Anand’s Chanchal.
‘Ithiri Neram’ also reminds us of unrequited love and is in the realm of ’96’. But, the biggest difference between ‘Ithiri Neram’ and ’96’ is that Aneesh and Anjana get the closure they need. The film does not evaluate its characters on the basis of social expectations and this is the biggest strength of the film. Be it the ringtone that Anjana uses or the way Aneesh looks at her, one’s love for one’s ex remains the same. And a breakup doesn’t mean you hate the other person.
‘Ithiri Neram’ knows when to raise big questions about relationships, but it doesn’t turn them into melodrama. Instead, it offers a vision of life that is warm, quietly moving, and reassuring. Sometimes, all you need is a handful of characters, good writing, and patient direction to draw you in. With ‘Ithiri Neram’, this formula works just fine.
