‘96 Part 2’ Script Complete, Confirms Director Prem Kumar; Vijay Sethupathi & Trisha Return
No Recasting, No Rumours — Just a Quiet Promise to Pick Up Where the Pain Left Off

Chennai, June 15: Tamil cinema fans, hold your breath — because it’s really happening. Director C. Prem Kumar has officially confirmed that the script for ‘96 Part 2’ is ready. And yes, the original leads — Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha Krishnan — are still on board.
The announcement came not in a grand press release, but during a quieter moment — a fans’ meet event with singer Chinmayi, where Prem casually mentioned that the sequel script was done. It was a moment fans had been waiting for since 2018, and it spread like wildfire across Tamil film forums and social media.
No Recasting. No Gimmicks.
Let’s get one thing out of the way. Rumours had been flying about a possible recast, with some speculating that actor Pradeep Ranganathan might step into the role of Ram. But Prem Kumar shut that down, firmly. “Only Vijay and Trisha,” he said — a sentiment fans were quick to celebrate. In an era where reboots and spin-offs often tamper with the original magic, this commitment to continuity hits different.
‘96 Part 2’ — Not Just a Love Story
What will the sequel explore? According to Prem, this isn’t just about romance. It’s about family, growth, perhaps even regret. The first film left many things unsaid — especially about what happens after that final train ride. The sequel, reportedly, doesn’t just pick up where things left off. Instead, it looks at where life could have gone for Ram and Jaanu — and whether love alone is enough to heal old wounds.
Fans are cautiously hopeful. One Reddit user put it perfectly: “Let this be a continuation of silence, not a disruption of it.”
Timing Is Everything — And It’s Not Confirmed Yet
The director didn’t offer a production date. And for good reason. Both Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha are busy with multiple ongoing projects across languages and genres. “We’ll begin when they’re free,” Prem said. No fuss. No hard deadlines. Just quiet confidence.
So, while there’s no fixed timeline, there’s faith. And in Tamil cinema, that’s sometimes enough.
Meanwhile, Another Story Is Brewing
Interestingly, Prem Kumar is juggling another script — a thriller, which he describes as a stepping stone to a future project. It’s not connected to ‘96’, but it shows that he isn’t placing all his emotional eggs in one nostalgic basket. His previous film, Meiyazhagan (2024), explored a completely different tone, and the director seems keen on evolving without rushing.
The Legacy of ‘96 Still Echoes
When ‘96’ hit screens back in 2018, it didn’t roar — it whispered. And yet, it stayed. It became that rare film that grew with every rewatch. Vijay Sethupathi’s portrayal of Ram — awkward, kind, wounded — was heartbreakingly real. Trisha’s Jaanu had elegance and pain woven into every glance. The songs didn’t just complement the film, they carried it.
Its Telugu remake Jaanu, though earnest, didn’t recreate the same magic. Which only solidified ‘96’ as something deeply personal for Tamil audiences.
So What Now?
We wait. The script is ready. The director is focused. The actors are willing — just not free yet. And the fans? They’re nervous. They’re excited. They’re cautious. They want more, but not if it ruins what already exists.
Prem Kumar knows this. And judging by his tone, he’s approaching the sequel not as a follow-up — but as a continuation of a conversation. One that began years ago, with a school reunion and a song that played softly in the background.
Until then, we go back to that ending — Ram standing still, the train moving forward, and the ache of a love that never quite faded.
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Sneha Kashyap is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, specializing in the vibrant world of entertainment and contemporary lifestyle trends. A student at GGSIPU, Delhi, Sneha brings a fresh perspective and a keen eye for cultural narratives to her daily reporting. She is dedicated to exploring the latest in film, music, fashion, and social phenomena, offering readers insightful and engaging content.