Chennai, India — Acclaimed Tamil director C. Premkumar candidly addresses the commercial underperformance of his 2024 bromance drama Meiyazhagan while revealing that the script for 96 Part 2 stands as his strongest work to date. In a revealing interview with film critic Baradwaj Rangan, released Wednesday on Galatta Plus YouTube channel, Premkumar also provides updates on his high-profile collaboration with actor Chiyaan Vikram, emphasizing creative pivots amid evolving project timelines.
Premkumar, whose 2018 directorial debut 96—starring Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha—became a cult classic for its poignant portrayal of unrequited love, reflects on Meiyazhagans journey one year after its release. The film, featuring Karthi and Arvind Swamy in a heartfelt tale of rural brotherhood, garners widespread praise for its emotional depth but falls short of box office expectations in Tamil Nadu. If Meiyazhagan had performed in Malayalam as it did, the Tamil audience would have celebrated it, Premkumar states, attributing the disparity to regional tastes. He reveals that the Telugu-dubbed version outperforms the original Tamil release, underscoring a perceived mismatch in audience reception.
The director does not mince words on industry hurdles, labeling negative theatrical reviews a greater threat than piracy. Reviewers pose more danger than piracy. Some suffer from a kind of mental illness, he asserts, explaining his fearless candor stems from a desire to shield future projects. Everyone hesitates to speak boldly, fearing backlash on the next film. They criticize and vanish—that why I speak without fear. Premkumar credits lead actor Karthi for simplifying complex scenes, praising his collaborative spirit as a master of simplification.
Shifting to brighter prospects, Premkumar confirms the 96 sequel script is complete and surpasses the original in quality. Its my best writing so far. Friends who read it say its far superior to 96, he shares. Producer Ishari K. Ganesh of Vels Film International reacts with exuberance, gifting Premkumar a gold chain worth several lakhs upon hearing the one-line pitch. However, the director remains firm on casting: Only the original cast, or I wont make it. This stance addresses earlier rumors of creative differences with Sethupathi, though Premkumar clarifies no such issues derail the project—only logistical alignment with stars schedules.
On the Vikram front, Premkumars tentatively titled Chiyaan 64, an action thriller backed by Vels Film International, faces delays as the director prioritizes scripting. Announced in July 2025, the film marks Premkumars genre shift from intimate dramas to high-stakes action, infused with his signature emotional core. Ive written three-fourths of the script and continue the process, he notes. Initial narrations of two to three ideas occur, but adjustments follow: One bound script proves unviable due to unspecified factors, while Vikram selects a revised love story concept over an earlier choice. Shooting, originally slated sooner, now aligns post a separate Fahadh Faasil project starting January 2026.
Prekumars upcoming slate signals bold experimentation. Beyond Chiyaan 64, he teases an adventure survival drama with nine characters and a heroine-less love story, all diverging from his 96 and Meiyazhagan mold. My next three films will be very different, he promises, underscoring a refusal to rest on laurels despite Meiyazhagans OTT resurgence.
Fans and critics alike anticipate these developments, with 96 Part 2 evoking particular excitement given the originals enduring legacy. As Tamil cinema navigates action-heavy trends, Premkumars blend of vulnerability and innovation positions him as a versatile force. The full interview, marking Meiyazhagans anniversary, streams exclusively on Galatta Plus.
