Director K J Surendar’s upcoming romantic drama Maayabimbum – A 2005 Love Story is gearing up for a theatrical release on January 23, the makers announced on Friday. Headlined by Aakash and Janaki, the film revisits love through the lens of the mid-2000s, promising a mix of nostalgia and emotion.

Backed by Surendar himself under the Self Start Productions banner, the film also features Hari Krishnan, Rajesh and Arun Kumar in key supporting roles. Speaking about the project, Surendar revealed that the story has its roots in reality. “The spark for Maayabimbum came from a real-life incident. We developed that core idea into a complete feature film,” he told IANS.

Set in 2005, the director believes the film offers a refreshing take on romance for today’s audiences. “For viewers who grew up in the 1990s, this film will feel like a nostalgic journey. At the same time, it presents an angle on love that hasn’t been explored much,” he added.

The narrative centres on the romantic bond between a third-year medical student and a nurse working at a primary health centre. The film was shot across locations including Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Pudukkottai and Thanjavur.

On the technical side, Maayabimbumfeatures music composed by Nanda, with editing by Vinoth. Cinematography has been handled by newcomer Edwin, while the film’s songs carry lyrics by Viveka and Padmavathi.

Confident about the film’s emotional depth, Surendar said, “At its heart, Maayabimbum is a strong romantic drama. Beyond that, it also places a lot of emphasis on friendship and family values.”

The film has already generated some buzz with the song ‘Yenkkulae’, which was recently unveiled by actor-composer GV Prakash Kumar and actor Vani Bhojan. Both praised the track, adding to the growing anticipation around the project.

Earlier, veteran filmmaker Sundar C had released the film’s first-look poster and lauded the team’s efforts, further boosting expectations ahead of its January release.