Idhayam Murali, directed by newcomer Aakash Baskaran, stars Atharva in the lead role along with Kayadu Lohar and Preity Mukhundhan with Fahadh Fasil appearing for a long duration in a special appearance. This is an old-world romantic tale that talks about friendship, love, and coming-of-age experience. This movie focuses on romance and emotions rather than suspense elements. Although the screenplay sometimes takes shortcuts, but its honesty, appealing performance, and positive vibes make it a delightful watch.
Idhayam Murali Movie Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Idhayam Murali |
| Release Date | July 10, 2026 |
| Genre | Coming-of-Age Romantic Drama |
| Director | Aakash Baskaran |
| Writers | Aakash Baskaran, S. Ramana Girivasan |
| Producers | Aakash Baskaran |
| Main Cast | Atharvaa, Kayadu Lohar, Preity Mukhundhan, Fahadh Faasil, Natty Subramaniam |
| Rating | 3.5/5 |
Idhayam Murali Story Overview
This movie revolves around Murali (Atharvaa), a shy and quiet young man having problems expressing himself to the woman he loves. As he goes through college life with friends and his family, he realizes that love does not have to be grand acts, but can also involve being patient, understanding, and self-development.
Through the course of the movie, the lives of Murali will be influenced by different people, such as different women, one played by Fahadh Faasil that makes the story even more emotionally powerful. Rather than having a fast-paced plot filled with dramatic events, it is built up around smaller things that happen in relationships. The rest of the movie deals with unspoken love, self-development, and bittersweet feelings from pursuing happiness.
#IdhayamMurali - 4/5 A Beautiful Feel-Good Film Filled With Heartwarming Moments❤️ Fun, Love, Friendship & Emotions Connect Really Well. Film Runs For Almost 2 Hrs 45 Mins, But The Engaging Screenplay & Feel-Good Moments Make Sure There Are No Major Boring Portions.
— Trendswood (@Trendswoodcom) July 10, 2026
Superb… pic.twitter.com/mnXx2iSPnk
Idhayam Murali Review: Nostalgia Carries This Heartfelt Romance
Idhayam Murali doesn’t attempt to redefine the romantic genre either. On the contrary, this movie is happy to indulge in the familiar and does so lovingly, using nostalgia, good old-fashioned emotions and characters who are easy to root for. The beginning is well-written and has many pleasant scenes of comedy and romance. All the emotional scenes work because they are sincere rather than artificial. However, the screenplay is sometimes self-indulgent and has several implausible elements that diminish its credibility. Nevertheless, this movie keeps a cheerful spirit from beginning till end. It manages to leave the viewers with a feeling of comfort rather than amazement.
Atharvaa and Fahadh Faasil Leave a Lasting Impression
Atharvaa gives one of his best performances in recent times. He successfully conveys the innocence and vulnerability of Murali and his determination, which enables viewers to sympathize with his character right through the movie. The performances by Kayadu Lohar and Preity Mukhundhan are noteworthy, whereas the performance by Fahadh Faasil is notable even though he has only a few scenes in the film. The presence of Fahadh Faasil elevates the mood of the movie, which can be considered one of the high points of the movie.
#IdhayamMurali is all over Instagram, especially the reel featuring Fahadh Faasil with the #Aavesham BGM. The 'Ranga Annan' moment is getting thunderous applause in theatres.
— What The Fuss (@WhatTheFuss_) July 11, 2026
Yet, despite the strong audience response, the film is posting disappointing numbers in Kerala. Poor… pic.twitter.com/am2P46zhUm
Music and Visual Appeal
The movie is visually attractive with vivid cinematography depicting youthful exuberance and sentimental moments. The college setting and picturesque locations contribute to the happy atmosphere without detracting from the plot. The music by Thaman S is yet another notable point. The music merges well with the story, and the background score works beautifully for the romantic and sentimental scenes. Although the duration of the movie is slightly too long, the excellent technical quality of the film makes it enjoyable.
What Are the Weak Points?
- Slow Pacing
- Convenient Writing
- Long Runtime
- Predictable Plot
Is Idhayam Murali Worth Watching?
Watch it if you:
- Enjoy romantic dramas
- Like nostalgic stories
- Love feel-good films
- Appreciate emotional storytelling
Skip it if you:
- Prefer fast pacing
- Want unpredictable twists
- Expect intense drama
- Dislike sentimental romances
#IdhayamMurali
— SmartBarani (@SmartBarani) July 10, 2026
A simple and familiar rom-com movie with excellent casting ♥️ everyone did their part well.. background score by Thaman is so good 🙌🏻 biggest backbone for this film ♥️ interval block song 😍
A good 1st half followed by okayish 2nd half.. colorful visuals worth… pic.twitter.com/M76DnDgP8a
Final Verdict
"Idhayam Murali" is an endearing romantic drama that wins through its sincerity and not necessarily its novelty. The movie depicts first-time love and youthfulness honestly despite any shortcomings in the screenplay. Atharvaa impresses in his performance, along with the added emotional factor provided by Fahadh Faasil's cameo appearance. While the story may not be perfect, it will make you fall for it nonetheless.
Rating: 3.5/5
Overall, Idhayam Murali is a wholesome one-time watch that wins hearts with its emotional storytelling and memorable performances.