Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai, written and directed by Ram, follows his distinctive style of storytelling, where human emotions and relationships are given an important place. From Kattradhu Tamizh and Thanga Meenkal to Taramani, Peranbu, Paranthu Po and now Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai, his films have explored different emotional worlds. This film takes his storytelling into a unique space by bringing an 8,000-year-old deathless man into the present day.
The film begins with the voices of a strange woman and a young boy travelling on a train. Their conversation gradually introduces different stories before leading to the story of an 8,000-year-old deathless man, played by Nivin Pauly. At the same time, an ordinary man who has returned from abroad is shown rushing to catch a train. His journey becomes the connecting point between the ancient world of the deathless man and present-day human life.
After boarding the train, the ordinary man continues his phone conversations with a familiar voice, played by Mirchi Shiva. His journey from the airport to the train adds another layer to the narrative. It is Deepavali, but the train is almost empty, creating an unusual setting for the story. As the journey continues, the film gradually moves through conversations, encounters and different emotions rather than depending only on a fast-moving plot.
The central idea of the film is the connection between an ancient man and the modern world. The deathless man has lived for around 8,000 years, yet he still understands love, pain, relationships and human emotions. During his journey, he observes present-day people and connects with their lives. More importantly, he shares his own feelings, memories and experiences of love with the ordinary man. This meeting allows the ordinary man to understand the emotional journey of someone who has lived for thousands of years.
Love remains at the heart of the deathless man’s story. Even after thousands of years, he continues to search for the woman he once loved. He carries the memories of that relationship and the feelings connected to it, showing that time cannot easily erase deep emotions. His experiences also make the ordinary man look at family, relationships and emotional pain from a different perspective, creating an interesting connection between two people from completely different worlds.
The film also gives importance to another creature, the rat. The way the deathless man treats and respects the rat shows that his understanding of life extends beyond human beings. This small but meaningful element adds another dimension to his character. Having lived for thousands of years, he appears to understand the value of life and the importance of respecting other creatures in the world. It fits naturally with the film’s wider idea of connecting with life in different forms.
Nivin Pauly brings a different energy to the role of the deathless man. His appearance, body language and screen presence suit a character who has lived for thousands of years. He gives the character an elegant and mysterious quality while also expressing his emotional side. Soori’s performance feels natural, particularly in his expressions and reactions, making the ordinary man’s emotions easy to connect with. Anjali adds grace and beauty to the film, while her presence contributes to the emotional side of the story.
N. K. Ekambaram’s cinematography plays an important role in creating the visual world of the film, especially during the long train journey that forms the main setting. The visuals support the mood of the story and help present the journey in an engaging way. Mathi V. S.’s editing keeps the different portions of the narrative connected and maintains the flow of the film. The technical work is particularly important because the train journey remains central to the storytelling.
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music and background score add energy and emotion to the film. The background score supports important moments and strengthens the atmosphere of the journey, while the songs are catchy and pleasant to listen to. The combination of music, cinematography and performances works well with Ram’s distinctive storytelling style. Rather than following a regular commercial format, the film takes its own path and gives importance to its characters and emotions.
Overall, Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai presents an unusual journey where an 8,000-year-old deathless man enters the present world and connects with ordinary human beings. The train journey becomes a space where the past and present meet, allowing the film to explore love, family, relationships, pain, memories and respect for other forms of life. Ram uses the deathless man’s experiences to show how emotions can remain meaningful even after thousands of years. His continuing search for the woman he loves gives the ending an emotional touch and leaves the journey with a sense that his search is not yet over.
