Ithiri Neram is a heartfelt Malayalam relationship drama by Prasanth Vijay that brings together Roshan Mathew and Zarin Shihab in a story about rekindled love, human flaws, and moral crossroads. With strong performances, natural dialogue, and an emotionally charged screenplay, the film explores how unfinished stories from the past still haunt the present — all within the span of “a little while.”
Love Revisited, Not Romanticized
At its heart, Ithiri Neram tells the story of Anish and Anjana, college sweethearts who meet again after eight years on a night filled with nostalgia and tension. He’s now a married television host; she’s an ambitious academic about to move abroad. What begins as a casual reunion soon becomes a deep dive into everything they left unsaid.
Prasanth Vijay and writer Vishak Shakti take the familiar “old lovers meet again” setup and strip away cinematic sentimentality. Instead of nostalgia-drenched flashbacks, the focus stays on the present — two people confronting their mistakes, regrets, and the unsettling realization that love doesn’t always fade with time.
Conversations That Carry the Weight of Years
The entire film revolves around dialogue — long, flowing, emotionally layered exchanges that move naturally between affection, frustration, and confession. The pacing is unhurried, allowing moments to breathe. Viewers are drawn in as the characters drop their guard, revealing how much life has shaped (and scarred) them since their breakup.
What makes Ithiri Neram stand apart from similar reunion dramas is the palpable tension beneath the calm. Every conversation teeters on the edge of unpredictability — not knowing whether it will lead to reconciliation, confrontation, or something entirely unexpected. This unpredictability keeps the narrative gripping even when very little seems to be happening on the surface.
Performances That Feel Real
Roshan Mathew once again proves his gift for subtle emotion. His portrayal of Anish — torn between duty and desire — is both charming and painfully human. Zarin Shihab delivers an equally nuanced performance as Anjana, balancing confidence with vulnerability. Together, they share a chemistry that feels lived-in rather than performed.
Supporting actors Nandu and Anand Manmadhan add warmth and humor, grounding the story with relatable moments that break the emotional intensity without diluting it.
Craft, Tone, and Atmosphere
Cinematographer Rakesh Dharan captures the melancholy of night-time Thiruvananthapuram — its bars, dim streets, and passing traffic — turning the city into a silent witness of unresolved love. Francies Louis’s editing and Sandeep Kurissery’s sound design create a rhythm that mirrors the heartbeat of the story: steady, then racing when emotions peak.
Basil C.J.’s music adds just the right emotional undercurrent, especially in quieter moments. The film’s restraint — both visual and emotional — is its strength.
A Little While That Stays Long After
Ithiri Neram isn’t a grand love story, nor does it offer easy closure. It is about the fragility of human connection and how “a little while” can sometimes mean everything. The film leaves you with a lump in your throat — not because it demands sympathy, but because it feels achingly familiar.
While the screenplay occasionally stretches thin in its second half, and a few scenes feel inserted to maintain pace, the film’s emotional honesty outweighs its structural flaws.
Bullseye Rating:★★★½ (3.5/5 stars)
An intimate, slow-burning reflection on love, regret, and moral choices — beautifully acted and thoughtfully made.
Ithiri Neram is currently in theatres.
