Habeebi (film)
| Habeebi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Meera Kathiravan |
| Written by | V. S. Mohamed Ameen |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Mahesh Muthuswami |
| Edited by | Mathi VS |
| Music by | Sam C. S. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 133 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Habeebi (transl. Beloved) is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Meera Kathiravan and written by V. S. Mohamed Ameen. The film stars Esha M, Kasthuri Raja, and Malavika Manoj. The music was composed by Sam C. S., with cinematography by Mahesh Muthuswami and editing by Mathi VS. The film is set in a Tamil Muslim neighbourhood in southern Tamil Nadu and revolves around a young couple whose relationship creates divisions within their community. It was released in theatres on 12 June 2026.
Plot
The story is based on a true story of a Kadayanallur Muslim community and their approaches with the brotherhood communities.
Cast
- Esha M as Abuthahir
- Kasthuri Raja as Mohammad Yousuf
- Malavika Manoj as Nilofar
- Dhanasree Sudhakaran as Parveen
- Arulkumar
- Anusreya Rajan
Production
Malavika Manoj was cast from over 300 girls who auditioned.[2] Though the film's primary location is a Muslim house, it was shot in an agraharam.[3]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Sam C. S.[4][5] The first single "Vallonea Vallonea" was released in December 2024, and features deceased singer Nagore E. M. Hanifa's vocals recreated through artificial intelligence.[6] The second single "Roohe Roohe" was released in May 2026.[7]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|
Release
Habeebi was initially scheduled for release on 28 May 2026. The film was subsequently released in theatres on 12 June 2026.[8]
Reception
Abhinav Subramanian of The Times of India rated the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and noted "Habeebi is sincere and often lovely to look at, and viewers who know this world from the inside may find plenty to hold on to. For everyone else, the goodwill is easier to admire than to feel."[9] Narayani M of Cinema Express rated the film 2 stars out of 5 and said "Habeebi talks about everyone's journey to the Gulf, but despite all that travel, the film itself never quite arrives anywhere."[10]
References
- ↑ "Habeebi". Central Board of Film Certification. Archived from the original on 17 August 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ "Kasthuri Raja & Malavika Manoj star in a film about a Muslim household". The Times of India. 26 March 2026. Archived from the original on 31 March 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (11 June 2026). "EXCLUSIVE | Habeebi director Meera Kathiravan: 'A Brahmin gave us an Agraharam house...'". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 13 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ TrendMusic (29 May 2026). Habeebi – Jukebox | Kasthoori Raja, Malavika Manoj | Meera Kathiravan | Sam C.S. Archived from the original on 31 August 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Habeebi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Apple Music. 20 May 2026. Archived from the original on 31 August 2026. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Kumar, Akshay (25 December 2024). "Devotional singer Nagore Hanifa makes a re-entry through AI in Habeebi's first single". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "'ஹபீபி' படத்தின் 'ரூஹி ரூஹி' பாடல் வெளியானது!" [The song "Roohe Roohe" from the film Habeebi has released!]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 22 May 2026. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Malavika Manoj's Habeebi gets new release date". Cinema Express. 28 May 2026. Archived from the original on 12 June 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ Subramanian, Abhinav (12 June 2026). "Habeebi Movie Review: A period romance that overdoes the sentiment". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 June 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ↑ M, Narayani (12 June 2026). "Habeebi Movie Review: Earnest story lost in unnecessary narrative choices". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 13 June 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.