Idhayam Murali A nostalgic romance lined up for Valentine’s Day 2026

Tamil cinema is quietly warming up for a heartfelt Valentine’s Day season in 2026, and one of the films shaping into a true emotional pick is Idhayam Murali. Headlined by Atharvaa Murali and backed by debutant filmmaker Aakash Baskaran, the film carries both legacy and fresh energy — the kind that appeals to audiences who enjoy rooted romance with a touch of nostalgia.

The film’s name is not just a creative choice — it carries emotional weight. Atharvaa steps into a project that nods to the legacy of his late father, Murali, whose debut Idhayam became a cult romantic drama in the early ’90s. The makers have made it clear, though: Idhayam Murali isn’t a remake or a sequel. It simply honours a sentiment while telling an all-new story about youth, love and the kind of longing that time doesn’t easily erase.

Atharvaa plays a medical student-turned-doctor whose love story travels between touchstone memories and present-day realizations. There’s friendship, heartbreak and emotional conflict — not in a dramatic, heavy-handed way, but with the gentle charm of campus life, growing-up moments and life pushing people in unexpected directions.Interesting visual cues in the first single Idhayaa — Walkmans, floppy disks, vintage PCs, early gaming consoles — hint at nostalgic slices of the 90s and 2000s being woven into the storyline. It’s romance treated with simplicity rather than flair, letting personal moments breathe on screen.

Kayadu Lohar and Preity Mukhundhan lead opposite Atharvaa, while the film pulls together a strong technical team — Manoj Paramahamsa behind the lens and Pradeep E. Ragav handling cuts. Music is by Thaman, who not only returns with a melodic sound but also appears in front of the camera after a long gap.The film is produced by Dawn Pictures, adding to the fresh energy and debut-driven vision behind the project.The first single already sparked chatter for being soft, warm and refreshingly un-processed — a break from high-octane soundscapes.

Romantic dramas have evolved, but when sincerity meets craft, the genre still connects deeply. Idhayam Murali seems to understand its space — not trying to chase trends, not trying to be edgy — just letting a heartfelt story unfold at its own pace.The Valentine’s week release only strengthens the film’s positioning. At a time when theatres balance massive action spectacles and thrillers, a gentle, emotional love story could be the palette cleanser audiences didn't realize they needed.

There’s a quiet charm around Idhayam Murali. It’s not loud in its promotions, it isn’t pushing hype — instead, it carries that old-school romantic sincerity, backed by strong music and nostalgic flavour. If it lands the emotional notes with honesty, Atharvaa might just have a Valentine-season favourite on his hands.Sometimes, love stories don’t need grand declarations. They just need heart. And Idhayam Murali seems ready to offer exactly that.