A lively musical drama that plays to its strengths
‘Meesaya Murukku 2’
– Review
Hiphop Tamizha’s ‘Meesaya Murukku’ worked because it felt close to the world it was portraying. Its semi-autobiographical flavour, youthful energy and focus on an independent musician trying to find his place outside the conventional film-music ecosystem gave the film a certain freshness. Nearly a decade later, ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ returns with another story about an artist fighting against the odds, this time stretching the conflict across three generations.
The film begins in 1979 Mylapore, where Dass, played by Hiphop Tamizha, dreams of becoming a popular gana singer while hoping to change the way his community is perceived. His ambitions, however, run into a system that refuses to give him the opportunity he seeks. The narrative then jumps to 2026, introducing his grandson Jeeva, once again played by Hiphop Tamizha. Unlike his grandfather, Jeeva is less focused on music and more interested in making it in cinema, while also finding himself caught up in a romantic equation involving Laila (Ketika Sharma) and aspiring actor Sanjay.
A confrontation eventually leads Jeeva towards the story of his family. He learns about Dass, now played by Karunas, and his father Siva, who once dreamed of becoming a musician but had to abandon those ambitions when life took a different turn. This gives the film its central idea: three generations, three different struggles and one unfinished dream that keeps getting passed down.
The concept of gana versus classical music gives the sequel a different backdrop from the first film. However, the conflict does not carry the same impact that the makers perhaps intended. Gana has already become an integral part of mainstream popular culture, making the idea of an artist struggling to find a wider audience because of the dominance of classical music feel somewhat dated. As a result, the film’s central battle rarely acquires the urgency required to make the emotional stakes truly powerful.
The film frequently pauses to deliver statements about art, artists and success. There is no shortage of motivational lines, and some of them are designed to generate applause. But the writing often reduces complicated social and artistic questions into straightforward battles between an individual and an all-powerful system. The film’s attempt to question the barriers surrounding classical music also becomes problematic when it repeatedly belittles the very art form it wants to contrast with gana. The message about respecting every form of art consequently feels less convincing than it should.
There are also moments where the film’s treatment of social issues does not entirely align with its stated intentions. Its references to cancel culture, freedom of expression and same-sex relationships occasionally feel more like devices for humour than meaningful extensions of the themes. This inconsistency takes away from some of the film’s attempts to appear socially aware.
As a straightforward narrative, the individual stories are familiar. The screenplay, however, gains some mileage from bringing them together across three generations. Dass’s battle is against the system, Siva’s struggle is shaped by circumstances, while Jeeva’s obstacles are partly created by his own choices. This progression gives the otherwise conventional underdog template an additional layer, with the conflict moving from external forces to personal responsibility.
The supporting characters also play an important role in keeping the film moving. Chaitra Achar, Ramya Ranganathan and Ketika Sharma are largely positioned as emotional anchors for the male protagonists, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions. The film also makes effective use of familiar YouTube personalities and supporting performers, creating several moments aimed squarely at the younger audience.
And that is ultimately where ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ understands itself best. It is not trying to be a deeply nuanced examination of the music industry. Instead, it wants to be an energetic, humorous and motivational theatrical entertainer. The songs are catchy, the humour keeps the proceedings light, and the screenplay rarely stays in one place for too long.
Hiphop Tamizha once again builds a film around the idea of chasing one’s dreams despite setbacks. While the sequel’s central conflict is less convincing and some of its social commentary feels superficial, its youthful energy and crowd-pleasing moments give it enough momentum.
‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ may not have the freshness of its predecessor, but it knows its audience well. For youngsters looking for a fun musical entertainer with motivational highs and plenty of familiar faces, the film delivers a reasonably satisfying theatrical experience.
Rating: 3.8 out of 5