The much-anticipated '96 sequel is steadily moving ahead, director C Prem Kumar has confirmed. In a phone conversation with singer Chinmayi during the fans meet celebration event organised by Galatta Media, Prem Kumar revealed that he has finished scripting the sequel for the critically-acclaimed hit and is currently working on another project.
The director, who made Meiyazhagan last year with Karthi and Arvind Swamy, is currently writing his next film. When Chinmayi probed what he is working on, he shared that he is scripting a thriller story. The noted singer also mentioned that she read one of his scripts and asked if that script would make it to screens one day. He said, "It will, but it will take time. This thriller story will be like a preview for that."
It is to be noted that Chinmayi had sung most of the songs for '96 including the hit 'Kaathalae Kaathalae' and 'Anthaathi' tracks. She had also dubbed for Trisha in the film. Prem Kumar has promised in the conversation that he will make her sing in his upcoming films.
In May, the director took to Instagram to address a rumour about him approaching Love Today and Dragon star Pradeep Ranganathan for '96 sequel. The director wrote, "This is a fake news as usual" and clarified that if he were to make a second part to '96, it would bring back the original cast. Further details on the cast and plot of the sequel are under wraps.
Released in 2018, '96 starred Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles while newcomers Gouri G Kishan and Aadithya Bhaskar played the younger versions. The film also stars an ensemble cast including Bagavathi Perumal, Devadarshini, Aadukalam Murugadoss, and others. The film revolves around the reunion of former students from the batch of 1996, twenty-two years after their graduation. The reunion also serves as an opportunity for two former lovers, Ram and Jaanu, to resolve issues surrounding their separation. The film was critically and commercially well received. It was remade by Preetham Gubbi in Kannada as 99 (2019), and by Prem Kumar himself in Telugu as Jaanu (2020).