96 is an upcoming film that stars Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles. This film is directed by Premkumar, who was the cinematographer of Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. Govind Vasantha, who has earlier scored music for films like Asuravadham, is the composer for this flick, and N. Shanmuga Sundaram is the man behind the lens.

The trailer and audio of this film released today and here are my reflections about it. The 2 minute and 20 second trailer is all about 3 people - Trisha, Vijay Sethupathi and… Govind Vasantha. After proving his worth in the songs that released today, the icing on the cake is his score for the trailer.

So, how do these 3 combine to give us a treat? The story, as we already know is set in 3 different stages of the romance between Ram(Vijay Sethupathi) and Janu(Trisha). Trisha’s character seems to be an extended version of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya Jessie, but she knows what she wants here. What we get from the trailer is that, the 16 year old Ram is in love with Janu, but they both get separated.

Let’s look at this from Vijay Sethupathi’s angle: 20 years down the line, you both meet by coincidence. Does the love still exist? Even if you love her, you are not sure if she would reciprocate the feeling. What if she's married to someone else? She's 36. You’re hesitant. There is a lump in your heart. You don’t know how to overcome that. All you do is just stare at her bright eyes.  As you are caught in this unexpected emotional turmoil, she places her hands above your heart. It instantly sends waves of shock in your body. You’re paralyzed!

But, all of a sudden, you realise there is some familiarity about this touch. Something similar happened 20 years ago. You have only one question in your mind. Why and how did this all happen? If only you knew the answer for this, life would have been simple. That is how love works, doesn’t it? Wild and Unpredictable. Like a river that meanders through a lot of obstacles on it’s way to the sea. If the river and sea are meant to meet, no one can stop that.

From Trisha’s point of view, this relationship is a different ball game altogether: She is the more dominating person. She guides him and he follows. She does not take advantage of his vulnerabilities, rather helps him rediscover his former self. Love works in mysterious ways. She brings in a rush of nostalgia, that he wishes would keep playing forever. There should be some saturation point right? For how long, can she guide him? There has to be a point where Vijay Sethupathi has to do something for her.

That is when this question pops up in her head: “Is this relationship going to survive the brutalities of life? Or is it going to be a repeat of the past?” She tries to not say it. She blurts out a few words. Too late. Vijay Sethupathi has already understood it. Well, mouths are not the only organs that speak. Vijay Sethupathi’s silent smile makes things loud and clear: “காதலே காதலே வாழ்வின் நீளம் போகலாம்.”(Oh love, let’s walk together till the end of life).

I hate the fact that Premkumar gave us this experience for just more than 2 minutes. Given a choice, I would sit and watch the journey of Ram and Jaanu forever. But hey, all good things must come to an end.