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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| location = India
| name          = Kadhal Kottai
| image          = Kadhal Kottai.jpg
| image          = Kadhal Kottai.jpg
| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Poster
| director      = [[Agathiyan]]
| director      = [[Agathiyan]]
| writer        = Agathiyan
| writer        = Agathiyan
| starring      = [[Ajith Kumar]]<br/>[[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]<br/>[[Heera Rajgopal]]<br/>[[Karan (actor)|Karan]]
| producer      = Sivasakthi Pandian
| producer      = Sivashakthi Pandian
| starring      = [[Ajith Kumar]]<br />[[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]
| cinematography = [[Thangar Bachan]]
| cinematography = [[Thangar Bachan]]
| editing        = Lancy-Mohan
| editing        = Lancy–Mohan
| music          = [[Deva (music director)|Deva]]
| music          = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| studio        = [[Sivasakthi Movie Makers]]
| studio        = [[Sivasakthi Movie Makers]]
| distributor    = Sivasakthi Movie Makers
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1996|07|12}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1996|07|12}}
| runtime        = 167 minutes
| runtime        = 167 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Tamil
| language      = Tamil
| budget        =
}}
}}
'''''Kadhal Kottai''''' ({{trans|The Castle of Love}}) is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romance film]] directed by [[Agathiyan]], in which [[Ajith Kumar]] and [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] play lead roles, apart from [[Heera Rajgopal]], [[Thalaivasal Vijay]], and [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] who played important roles.


The film was a major commercial success at the box office and also won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]], the [[National Film Award for Best Direction]] as well as the [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay]] for Agathiyan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Dhananjayan|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=kadhal+kottai+running+days&pg=PA358|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition|date=2014-11-03|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|pages=358|language=en}}</ref> It garnered positive critical acclaim upon release in July 1996, and was subsequently remade into several Indian regional languages.
'''''Kadhal Kottai''''' ({{translation|''The Fort of Love''}}) is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]] written and directed by [[Agathiyan]], and produced by [[Sivasakthi Movie Makers]]. The film stars [[Ajith Kumar]] and [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] in the lead roles, with [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]], [[Thalaivasal Vijay]], and [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] in supporting roles. It revolves around two people who develop a romance anonymously.


The film met positive reviews and declared blockbuster running over 270 days becoming silver jubilee film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-viswasam-five-blockbuster-box-office-hits-of-thala-ajith/photostory/74513549.cms|title='Kadhal Kottai' to 'Viswasam': Five blockbuster box office hits of Thala Ajith|date=2020-03-06|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>
''Kadhal Kottai'' was released on 12 July 1996 and ran for over 275 days at the Tamil Nadu box office, becoming a [[silver-jubilee film]].<ref>{{Cite news |title='Kadhal Kottai' to 'Viswasam': Five blockbuster box office hits of Thala Ajith |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-viswasam-five-blockbuster-box-office-hits-of-thala-ajith/photostory/74513549.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315013816/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-viswasam-five-blockbuster-box-office-hits-of-thala-ajith/photostory/74513549.cms |archive-date=15 March 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=6 March 2020|access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref> It was one of Ajith's highly successful films at the early time of his career. The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film]], the [[National Film Award for Best Direction]] and the [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay]] (Agathiyan). In 1997, it was dubbed and released in Telugu as ''Premalekha''. It was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Yaare Neenu Cheluve]]'' (1998), in Bengali as ''[[Hothat Brishti]]'' (1998) and in Hindi as ''[[Sirf Tum]]'' (1999) by the same director.


==Plot==
== Plot ==
Kamali ([[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]) lives with her sister, Malliga ([[Sabitha Anand]]) and brother-in-law, Shekar ([[Rajeev (Tamil actor)|Rajeev]]) in [[Kotagiri]], and is searching for a job and lives with high hopes of getting married soon. While visiting [[Madras]], her purse is stolen and she fears she has lost her academic credentials. Suriya ([[Ajith Kumar]]) who is an orphan and care-free man, works in [[Jaipur]] finds the purse and sends it back to her, and a love develops through letters and phone calls. They agree to love each other without meeting, as she sews and sends a gift pack containing a lotus embroidered woollen sweater for him to wear when they meet for real. As Suriya shifts to Madras for work and stays with Siva ([[Karan (actor)|Karan]]). Kamali too moves for Madras to find a job for her and stays with her friend Jensi (Indhu). Suriya is attracted and smitten by his boss Neya ([[Heera Rajagopal]]). Her repeated attempts in gaining his love and affections fails as he staunch on his love for Kamali.  In the meantime, unintentionally they both run over upon each other without knowing who they really were resulting in negative perception and misunderstanding. Refusing a Job offer which would move Kamali to [[Singapore]], making it difficult for her to find Suriya she moves back to her home in despair. Unable to withstand the advances of Neya, Suriya quits the job gets sheltered by Paneer ([[Thalaivasal Vijay]]), who arranges him an [[autorickshaw]] to engaged as driver. Jeeva ([[Raja (Tamil actor)|Raja]]), a wealthy businessman expresses his interest in marrying Kamali to Shekar, but Kamali excuses herself to consider her as prospective bride when she meets Jeeva in private and shares her unflinching love for Suriya, who even allows her to meet him for one last time. Shekar, who initially dissuades Kamali's love finally gives in and allows her to Madras half-heartedly. Upon arriving in Madras, which is experiencing severe [[monsoon]], Kamali finds that Jensi and other hostel mates were out of station. Pinning hopes, she boards the Suriya's autorickshaw, driven by him without knowing it him traces and searches for him desperately, wherever he lived. At the end of the day, both gets refreshed at his place, while he dons her gifted sweater covered by his uniform. As Kamali plans to head home, depressed, Suriya assists her to board [[Nilgiri Express]]. As the train departs, in a turn of events, Suriya removes his shirt wherein Kamali notices it was her gifted sweater and finally unite, as Paneer and Jensi watches the pair and rejoices.
Kamali, a graduate, lives with her sister Malliga and brother-in-law Shekar (in [[Kotagiri]], [[Nilgiris district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]) and is searching for a job. While visiting [[Chennai|Madras]], her handbag is stolen and she fears she would lose her academic credentials. Suriya, an orphaned, carefree man who works in [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]], finds the purse and sends it back to her, and a love develops through letters. They agree to love each other without meeting, as she sews and sends a gift pack containing a lotus-embroidered woollen sweater for him to wear when they meet for real. Suriya is soon transferred to Madras and stays with Siva, his new colleague.


==Cast==
Kamali too comes to Madras to find a job and stays with her friend Jensi. Neya, Suriya's new boss, is immediately smitten by him, but her repeated attempts to gain his love and affection fail as he is staunch about his love for Kamali. In the meantime, Suriya and Kamali run into each other without knowing who they really are, resulting in negative perception and misunderstanding. Refusing a job offer which would move her to Singapore, making it difficult for her to find Suriya, Kamali moves back to her hometown in despair.
{{colbegin}}
 
Unable to withstand the advances of Neya, Suriya quits his job and gets sheltered by his friend Paneer, an [[auto rickshaw]] driver, who arranges for him to drive for a living. Jeeva, a wealthy businessman, expresses his interest in marrying Kamali to Shekar, but Kamali excuses herself from considering her as a prospective bride when she meets Jeeva in private and shares her unflinching love for Suriya, who even allows her to try and locate him one last time. Shekar, who initially dissuades Kamali's love finally gives in and half-heartedly allows her to go to Madras.
 
Upon arriving in Madras, which is experiencing severe monsoons, Kamali finds out that Jensi and the other hostel mates are not in town. Pinning hopes, she boards Suriya's auto rickshaw, without knowing that it is him, and searches for him desperately. At the end of the day, both of them get refreshed at his place, where he dons the sweater gifted by her, covering it with his uniform. As Kamali plans to head home, depressed, Suriya helps her board the [[Nilgiri Express]]. As the train departs, Suriya removes his shirt after tea spills over it. Kamali notices the sweater, deboards the train, and the pair finally unite, as Paneer and Jensi look on and rejoice.
 
== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Ajith Kumar]] as Suriya
* [[Ajith Kumar]] as Suriya
* [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] as Kamali
* [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] as Kamali
* [[Heera Rajgopal]] as Neya
* [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]] as Neya
* [[Raja (Tamil actor)|Raja]] as Jeeva
* [[Raja (Tamil actor)|Raja]] as Jeeva
* [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] as Siva
* [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] as Siva
Line 45: Line 46:
* [[Ra. Sankaran]] as Church Father
* [[Ra. Sankaran]] as Church Father
* [[LIC Narasimhan]] as Train passenger
* [[LIC Narasimhan]] as Train passenger
* [[Ramji (actor)|Ramji]] in a special appearance
* [[Ram G|Ramji]] in a special appearance
* [[Rani (Tamil actress)|Rani]] in the song "Vellarikka"
* [[Rani (Tamil actress)|Rani]] as an item number in the song "Vellarikka"
{{colend}}
}}


==Production==
== Production ==
The basic theme of the film was inspired from "Puranaanooru" literature on the relationship between King Kopperum Chozhan and poet Pisirandhaiyar, though they never met but they developed a strong relationship until their deaths. Agathiyan confirmed this in his interviews.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Dhananjayan|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=kadhal+kottai+boxoffice&pg=PA358|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition|date=2014-11-03|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|pages=357|language=en}}</ref> Agathiyan initially wanted to make his directorial debut with this subject since no producer were willing to produce the film, he made few films and earned his breakthrough with ''[[Vaanmathi]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Post its success, he chose Ajith, actor from that film to play the leading role with Sivasakthi Pandian agreeing to produce the film.<ref name=":0" />
The basic theme of the film was inspired from ''[[Purananuru]]'' literature on the relationship between King Kopperum Chozhan and poet Pisirandhaiyar, though they never met until Chozhan is close to death.<ref name="cinemaexpress">{{Cite web |last=Darshan |first=Navein |date=14 July 2020 |title=Director Agathiyan: Kadhal Kottai was originally supposed to be a tragedy |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2020/jul/14/director-agathiyan-kadhal-kottai-was-originally-supposed-to-be-a-tragedy-19353.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160450/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2020/jul/14/director-agathiyan-kadhal-kottai-was-originally-supposed-to-be-a-tragedy-19353.html |archive-date=25 October 2021 |access-date=25 October 2021 |website=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref> Agathiyan initially wanted to make his directorial debut with this subject since no producer were willing to produce the film, he made few films and earned his breakthrough with ''[[Vaanmathi]]''. Post its success, he chose [[Ajith Kumar]], the actor from that film to play the leading role with Sivasakthi Pandian agreeing to produce the film.{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=357}}


Agathiyan had asked Devayani to change her glamorous on screen image for the film, and Devayani duly agreed with the film becoming the start of several other similar roles for her.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052051400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914230349/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052051400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 September 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Five years... and still sitting pretty | date=30 August 2008}}</ref> The film was initially titled as ''Nila Odi Vaa'' before it was named as ''Kadhal Kottai''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171030140818/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/05/27/stories/2005052700010401.htm ]</ref>
[[Sangita Madhavan Nair|Sangita]] was the first choice for the lead actress, but declined due to her commitments to ''[[Poove Unakkaga (film)|Poove Unakkaga]]'', resulting in Devayani being cast.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WAPFimKn0 |title=என்ன பாத்ததும் அவரு 1st Sorry தான் சொன்னாரு, காரணம் இதான் - Anju Aravind Reveals Goosebumps Memories |date=14 October 2020 |language=ta |publisher=BehindwoodsTV |time=10:30 |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524080043/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WAPFimKn0 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Agathiyan had asked Devayani to change her glamorous on screen image for the film, and Devayani duly agreed with the film becoming the start of several other similar roles for her.{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=357}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swaminathan |first=Chitra |date=30 August 2008 |title=Five years... and still sitting pretty |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052051400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914230349/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052051400.htm |archive-date=14 September 2008 |access-date=26 October 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film was initially titled ''Nila Nila Odi Vaa'' before it was renamed ''Kadhal Kottai''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2005 |title=As always |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/05/27/stories/2005052700010401.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030140818/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/05/27/stories/2005052700010401.htm |archive-date=30 October 2017 |access-date=26 October 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Raja (Tamil actor)|Raja]] was initially reluctant to act, but joined the cast at the director's insistence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=6 November 2019 |title=From 'Kadalora Kavithaigal' to 'Adithya Varma': Tamil cinema's quintessential 'soft-spoken hero' Raja returns after a 20-year exile |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-raja-profilefrom-kadalora-kavithaigal-to-adithya-varma-tamil-cinemas-quintessential-soft-spoken-hero-raja-returns-after-a-20-year-exile/article29900048.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191107062826/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-raja-profile/article29900048.ece |archive-date=7 November 2019 |access-date=22 December 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
== Themes and influences ==
The music was composed by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]] and lyrics written by [[Agathiyan]] and Ponniyin Selvan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kadhal Kottai - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - Saavn |url=https://www.saavn.com/album/kadhal-kottai/xJgIB3XnBqI_ |access-date=29 October 2018 |date=12 July 1996}}</ref>
Agathiyan has stated that many of the characters are intentionally named to convey their characteristics. [[Thalaivasal Vijay]] was given the name "Paneer" (fragrant) as the director felt the character was "a sweet person who spreads happiness", while [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]] was named Neya (derived from the Tamil term Neyam) as Agathiyan felt she "deserved a lot of love". He described [[Karan (actor)|Karan]]'s character Siva as "a representation of the quintessential friend in every gang, who loves to be in love, but hates staying in it for too long", contrasting him with Suriya's (Ajith) ideologies on romance.<ref name="cinemaexpress" />


{{Infobox album
== Soundtrack ==
| location = India
The music was composed by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kadhal Kottai (1996) |url=https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kadhal-kottai-songs-T0000071 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116104206/https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kadhal-kottai-songs-T0000071 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |access-date=22 December 2021 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref>
| name      = Kadhal Kottai
| type      = [[soundtrack]]
| artist    = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = 12 July 1996
| recorded  = 1996
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length    = 33:48
| label      = [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]]<br>[[Sa Re Ga Ma]]<br>Bayshore<br>[[S. S. Chakravarthy|Nic Audio]]<br>[[Sony Music India|Sony Music]]<br>[[Divo (record label)|Divo]]<br>Star Music
| language  = [[Tamil Language|Tamil]]
| producer  = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| prev_title = [[Gopala Gopala (1996 film)|Gopala Gopala]]
| prev_year  = 1996
| next_title = [[Kalloori Vaasal]]
| next_year  =1996
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| headline = Tamil
| headline = Track-List
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title15 =
| length15 =
| title16 =
| length16 =
| title17 =
| length17 =
| title18 =
| length18 =
| title19 =
| length19 =
| title20 =
| length20 =
| total_length = 33:48
| total_length = 33:48
| title1 = Kaalamellam Kadhal
| title1 = Kaalamellam Kadhal
Line 123: Line 92:
| title7 = Vellarikka
| title7 = Vellarikka
| extra7 = Deva, Krishnaraj
| extra7 = Deva, Krishnaraj
| title8 =
| length8 =
| title9 =
| length9 =
| title10 =
| length10 =
| title11 =
| length11 =
| title12 =
| length12 =
| title13 =
| length13 =
| title14 =
| length14 =
| length7 = 4:23
| length7 = 4:23
| lyrics7 = Agathiyan
| lyrics7 = Agathiyan
}}
{{Infobox album
| location = India
| name      = Prema Lekha
| type      = [[soundtrack]]
| artist    = Deva
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = 31 December 1996
| recorded  = 1996
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length    = 29:10
| label      = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| language  = [[Telugu Language|Telugu]]
| producer  = Deva
| prev_title = [[Gopala Gopala (1996 film)|Gopala Gopala]]
| prev_year  = 1996
| next_title = [[Kalloori Vaasal]]
| next_year  =1996
}}
}}


{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Telugu Track-List
| headline     = Telugu
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title14 =
| total_length = 29:10
| length14 =
| all_writing   = [[Bhuvana Chandra]]
| title15 =
| title1       = Nee Pilupe Prema Geetham
| length15 =
| extra1       = P. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra
| title16 =
| length1       = 5:07
| length16 =
| title2       = Digulu Padakuraa Sahodaraa
| title17 =
| extra2       = [[Vandemataram Srinivas]]
| length17 =
| length2       = 4:28
| title18 =
| title3       = Pattu Pattu Paruvaala Pattu
| length18 =
| extra3       = Swarnalatha
| title19 =
| length3       = 4:55
| length19 =
| title4       = Chinnadaana Osi Chinna Daana
| title20 =
| note4         = Version 1
| length20 =
| extra4       = R. Krishanraj, Bhuvana Chandra
| total_length = 29:10
| length4       = 4:26
| all_writing = [[Bhuvana Chandra]]
| title5       = Priyaa Ninu Chuda Lekaa
| title1 = Nee Pilupe Prema Geetham
| note5         = Version 2
| extra1 = P. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra
| extra5       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram
| length1 = 5:07|
| length5       = 4:49
| title2 = Digulu Padakuraa Sahodaraa
| title6       = Ye Rupe Lolaku Kuli Kenu
| extra2 = [[Vandemataram Srinivas]]
| extra6       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length2 = 4:28
| length6       = 5:25
| title3 = Pattu Pattu Paruvaala Pattu
| extra3 = Swarnalatha
| length3 = 4:55
| title4 = Chinnadaana Osi Chinna Daana
| note4 = Version 1
| extra4 = R. Krishanraj, Bhuvana Chandra
| length4 = 4:26
| title5 = Priyaa Ninu Chuda Lekaa
| note5 = Version 2
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram
| length5 = 4:49
| title6 = Ye Rupe Lolaku Kuli Kenu
| extra6 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title7 =
| length7 =
| title8 =
| length8 =
| title9 =
| length9 =
| title10 =
| length10 =
| title11 =
| length11 =
| title12 =
| length12 =
| title13 =
| length13 =
| length6 = 5:25
}}
}}


== Reception ==
== Critical reception ==
Tamil magazine ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' appreciated the film by giving 52 marks and mentioned that the basic plot was a novel idea which had been given a good shape and life by the filmmaker.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100216125742/http://www.ajithfans.com/media/media-news/2010/02/11/blast-from-the-past-kadhal-kottai-review-by-ananda-vikatan/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=காதல் கோட்டை : சினிமா விமர்சனம் |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/39025--2 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> K. N. Vijiyin of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' wrote, "I had expected the usual story of college boy meeting girl with both parents objecting to their relationship. So I was pleasantly surprised when [''Kaadhal Kottai''] turned out to be a totally different experience."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyin |first=K. N. |date=5 August 1996 |title=Love story with a difference |page=5 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kQhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WRUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2064%2C2003239}}</ref>
The Tamil magazine ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' appreciated the film by giving 52 marks, mentioning that the basic plot was a novel idea which had been given a good shape and life by the filmmaker.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 1996 |title=காதல் கோட்டை : சினிமா விமர்சனம் |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/39025--2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817083346/https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/39025--2 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> K. N. Vijiyan of ''[[New Straits Times]]'' wrote, "I had expected the usual story of college boy meeting girl with both parents objecting to their relationship. So I was pleasantly surprised when [''Kaadhal Kottai''] turned out to be a totally different experience."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. N. |date=5 August 1996 |title=Love story with a difference |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kQhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WRUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2064%2C2003239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504053620/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kQhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WRUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2064%2C2003239 |archive-date=4 May 2024 |access-date=30 April 2021 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=5 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> R. P. R. of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' also favourably reviewed the film, though they felt certain distracting moments such as Heera's revealing outfits, the dream sequence, auto stunt and fight sequences could have been avoided.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஆர். பி. ஆர். |date=4 August 1996 |title=காதல் கோட்டை |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1996/aug/04-08-1996/p1.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220817083611/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1996/aug/04-08-1996/p1.jpg |archive-date=17 August 2022 |access-date=17 August 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=1 |language=ta}}</ref> D. S. Ramanujam of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "A new kind of love story is given the trimmings and gloss in right proportion under the expert eye of director Ahathiyan (''[[Vaanmathi|Vanmathi]]'', ''Madhumathi'') in Sivasakthi Movie Makers' ''Kathal Kottai'' making the viewers sit back and enjoy every frame."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=19 July 1996 |title=Kathal Kottai/Sundara Purushan |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960720/03/1933a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961220124358/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960720/03/1933a.html |archive-date=20 December 1996 |access-date=14 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=33}}</ref>
 
==Novelization==
The film was released as a novel in 2010 under the same name.<ref>http://www.starajith.com/2332-thala-ajith-kumar-devayani-agathiyan-kadhal-kottai-book-novel</ref>
 
==Remakes==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Film Title
!Language
!Director
|-
|1998
|''[[Yaare Neenu Cheluve]]''
|Kannada
|D.Rajendra babu
|-
|1999
|''[[Sirf Tum]]''
|Hindi
|Agathiyan
|-
|1998
|''[[Hothat Brishti]]''
|Bengali
|[[Basu Chatterjee]]
|}
 
==Awards==
;[[National Film Awards]] - 1996
* [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil|Best Film in Tamil]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] - [[Agathiyan]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] - Agathiyan


;[[Filmfare Awards South]] - 1996
== Accolades ==
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil|Best Director]] - Agathian
;[[National Film Awards]] – 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=44th National Film Festival |url=https://dff.gov.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615095644/http://dff.gov.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2022 |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]}}</ref>
* [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film|Best Tamil Feature Film]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] – [[Agathiyan]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] – Agathiyan


;[[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] - 1996
;[[Filmfare Awards South]] – 1996<ref>{{cite web |date=13 October 1999 |title=Best Director |url=http://filmfare.com/site/october97/south3c.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013111210/http://filmfare.com/site/october97/south3c.htm |archive-date=13 October 1999 |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref>
*[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] - Second Prize
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil|Best Director]] – Agathiyan
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - Agathiyan
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prizes)|Special Prize: Actress]]: [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]]: Lancy - Mohan
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Costume Designer|Best Costume Designer]]: Maasanam <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |title=1996 State Awards |publisher=[[Dinakaran]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522211531/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |archive-date=22 May 2008 }}</ref>


;[[Cinema Express Awards]] - 1996
;[[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] – 1996<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 Cinema State Awards |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203152338/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |archive-date=3 February 1999 |access-date=19 September 2010 |website=[[Dinakaran]]}}</ref>
*[[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] – Second Prize
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – Agathiyan
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize|Special Prize: Actress]]: [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]]: Lancy–Mohan
* [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Costume Designer|Best Costume Designer]]: Maasanam


==Legacy==
;[[Cinema Express Awards]] – 1996{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=358}}
''Kadhal Kottai'' is considered a [[cult film]] and a landmark in Tamil cinema diverging from traditional romantic films of the time.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/dec/10sli2.htm|title=Ajith's Top 10 movies|website=specials.rediff.com|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> This film has been included in the book written by Dhananjayan.G "''Pride of Tamil cinema 1931-2013''" which covers films that have earned national and international recognition. The author wrote "''Kadhal Kottai'' is a trendsetting film which breathed new life into Tamil cinema and paved the way for revival of love themes in a big way."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dhananjayan|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=kadhal+kottai&pg=PA358|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition|date=2014-11-03|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|pages=356|language=en}}</ref> According to [[The Times of India]] the film hits the top list of romantic films made in Tamil cinema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-minnale-five-tamil-movies-that-set-an-example-of-true-love/photostory/74083266.cms|title='Kadhal Kottai' to 'Minnale': Five Tamil movies that set an example of true love|date=2020-02-11|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/kollywoods-top-15-romantic-films/photostory/48663714.cms|title=Kollywood's top 15 romantic films|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> The film also hit the list of top romantic films of Tamil magazines [[Ananda Vikatan]] and [[Dinamani]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vikatan.com/anniversaries/kollywood/58975-top-10-love-movie-for-valentine-day-special|title=காதலிக்கிறவர்கள் இந்தப்படங்களைப் பார்த்தே ஆகவேண்டும்|website=[[Vikatan]]|trans-title=Lovers should watch this movie definitely|language=ta|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2020/feb/14/kollywoods-top-10-romantic-films-3356694.html|title=தமிழ் ரசிகர்களின் மனதை அள்ளிய காதல் படங்கள்!|website=Dinamani|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref> The film is considered one of the blockbuster films in the career of [[Ajith Kumar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-viswasam-five-blockbuster-box-office-hits-of-thala-ajith/photostory/74513549.cms|title='Kadhal Kottai' to 'Viswasam': Five blockbuster box office hits of Thala Ajith|date=2020-03-06|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://movies.ndtv.com/regional/the-rise-of-ajith-kumar-from-aasai-to-yennai-arindhaal-1203655|title=The Rise of Ajith Kumar: From Aasai to Yennai Arindhaal - NDTV Movies|website=NDTVMovies.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref>
*[[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil]]


S. R. Ashok Kumar of [[The Hindu]] asked Tamil directors to list their all-time favourite Tamil films, veteran director [[K. Balachander]] named ''Kadhal Kottai'' in his list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article2272999.ece|title=Filmmakers' favourites - The Hindu|date=2014-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011060705/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article2272999.ece|access-date=2020-04-08|archive-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> [[Suseenthiran]] also mentions his favourite film as  ''Kadhal Kottai.''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Pradeep|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kadhalukku-mariyadhai-won-director-susienthiran-over/article28733038.ece|title=How 'Kadhalukku Mariyadhai' won director Susienthiran over|date=2019-07-27|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Remakes ==
''Kadhal Kottai'' was remade in Kannada as ''[[Yaare Neenu Cheluve]]'' (1998),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasa |first=Srikanth |date=3 May 1998 |title=Yaare Neenu Cheluve |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/1C00E8D8798D273065256940004E87CA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323103634/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/1C00E8D8798D273065256940004E87CA |archive-date=23 March 2012 |access-date=25 October 2021 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> in Bengali as ''[[Hothat Brishti]]'' (1998),<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 2019 |title=All you need to know about Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed who sparked controversy in India |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/all-you-need-to-know-about-bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-who-sparked-controversy-in-india |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160545/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/all-you-need-to-know-about-bangladeshi-actor-ferdous-ahmed-who-sparked-controversy-in-india |archive-date=25 October 2021 |access-date=25 October 2021 |website=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref> and in Hindi by the same director as ''[[Sirf Tum]]'' (1999).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taliculam |first=Sharmila |date=11 June 1999 |title=Love in absentia |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1999/jun/11sirf.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505162715/https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1999/jun/11sirf.htm |archive-date=5 May 2021 |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> A Malayalam remake was planned by Mohan Paiyanur in early 1998, but the project eventually did not materialise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997–98'ன் கோடம்பாக்கக் குஞ்சுகள் |trans-title=1997–98 Kodambakkam babies |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/People/98/Feb/kuttisp2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724022641/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/People/98/Feb/kuttisp2.htm |archive-date=24 July 2012 |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Indolink}}</ref>


In the recently released movie Master, There is a scene, where vijay narrates the story of kadhal kottai movie, to Malavika Mohan, who asked the reason for Vijay's depression and his drug addiction. That scene was widely received by the audience
== Legacy ==
''Kadhal Kottai'' is considered a [[cult film]] and a landmark in Tamil cinema diverging from traditional romantic films of the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2007 |title=Ajith's Top 10 movies |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/dec/10sli2.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126195350/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/dec/10sli2.htm |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=358}} This film has been included in the book ''[[Pride of Tamil Cinema]]'' written by [[G. Dhananjayan]], which covers films between 1931 and 2013 that have earned national and international recognition. Dhananjayan wrote, "''Kadhal Kottai'' is a trendsetting film which breathed new life into Tamil cinema and paved the way for revival of love themes in a big way".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=356}} According to ''[[The Times of India]]'' the film hits the top list of romantic films made in Tamil cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2020 |title='Kadhal Kottai' to 'Minnale': Five Tamil movies that set an example of true love |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-minnale-five-tamil-movies-that-set-an-example-of-true-love/photostory/74083266.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213224449/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kadhal-kottai-to-minnale-five-tamil-movies-that-set-an-example-of-true-love/photostory/74083266.cms |archive-date=13 February 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 August 2015 |title=Kollywood's top 15 romantic films |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/kollywoods-top-15-romantic-films/photostory/48663714.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828071722/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/photo-features/Kollywoods-top-15-romantic-films/photostory/48663714.cms |archive-date=28 August 2015 |access-date=8 April 2020 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film also hit the list of top romantic films of Tamil magazines ''Ananda Vikatan'' and ''[[Dinamani]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2016 |title=காதலிக்கிறவர்கள் இந்தப்படங்களைப் பார்த்தே ஆகவேண்டும் |trans-title=Lovers should watch this film definitely |url=https://www.vikatan.com/anniversaries/kollywood/58975-top-10-love-movie-for-valentine-day-special |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222043813/https://www.vikatan.com/anniversaries/kollywood/58975-top-10-love-movie-for-valentine-day-special |archive-date=22 December 2021 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=எழில் |date=13 February 2021 |title=தமிழ் ரசிகர்களின் மனதை அள்ளிய காதல் படங்கள்! |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2020/feb/14/kollywoods-top-10-romantic-films-3356694.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222043650/https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2020/feb/14/kollywoods-top-10-romantic-films-3356694.html |archive-date=22 December 2021 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=[[Dinamani]] |language=ta}}</ref> The film is considered one of the blockbuster films in the career of Ajith Kumar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2015 |title=The Rise of Ajith Kumar: From Aasai to Yennai Arindhaal |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/regional/the-rise-of-ajith-kumar-from-aasai-to-yennai-arindhaal-1203655 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125204146/https://movies.ndtv.com/regional/the-rise-of-ajith-kumar-from-aasai-to-yennai-arindhaal-1203655 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> Vijay's dance in the song "Kavalai Padathe Sagothara" also gained popularity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 1998 |title=The other Vijay |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/03ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627090439/https://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/03ss.htm |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The film was released as a novel in 2010 under the same name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2010 |title=Ajith's Kadhal Kottai released as novel |url=https://filmnews.bizhat.com/2010/11/27/ajiths-kadhal-kottai-released-as-novel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026100259/https://filmnews.bizhat.com/2010/11/27/ajiths-kadhal-kottai-released-as-novel/ |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=26 October 2021 |website=BizHat Film News}}</ref> Some of the romantic scenes from the film were imitated by Vimal (Santhanam) and Aarthi's characters in ''[[Malai Malai]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Malai Malai |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Feather Touch Entertainments |year=2009}}{{time needed|date=April 2025}}</ref> In the 2021 film ''[[Master (2021 film)|Master]]'', a reference is made about the film when JD ([[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]) talks to Charu ([[Malavika Mohanan]]).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylO09DpAwZw |title=Master ல காதல் கோட்டை பத்தி கமெண்ட் பண்றவங்க அடிப்படை தெரியாதவங்க {{!}} Director Agathiyan Interview |date=23 March 2021 |language=ta |publisher=Cineulagam |time=9:30 |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/ylO09DpAwZw |archive-date=24 May 2023 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== Bibliography ==
* {{IMDb title|0984202}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509}}


==Bibliography==
== External links ==
* {{cite book|last=Dhananjayan |first=G.|author-link=G. Dhananjayan|title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013|date=2014|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=kadhal+kottai&pg=PA358}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{Agathiyan}}
{{Agathiyan}}
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{{TamilNaduStateFilmAwardBestFilm}}
{{TamilNaduStateFilmAwardBestFilm}}


[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1996 Indian films]]
[[Category:1996 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films whose director won the Best Director National Film Award]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:1996 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1996 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Best Tamil Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films about letters (message)]]
[[Category:Films shot in Ooty]]
[[Category:Films directed by Agathiyan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Deva (composer)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Deva (composer)]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films set in Jaipur]]
[[Category:1990s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films set in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Jaipur]]
[[Category:Films shot in Ooty]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films whose director won the Best Director National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films whose writer won the Best Original Screenplay National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films whose writer won the Best Original Screenplay National Film Award]]
[[Category:Best Tamil Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films directed by Agathiyan]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

Latest revision as of 01:18, 26 March 2026

Kadhal Kottai
Poster
Directed byAgathiyan
Produced bySivasakthi Pandian
Written byAgathiyan
StarringAjith Kumar
Devayani
Music byDeva
CinematographyThangar Bachan
Edited byLancy–Mohan
Production
company
Release date
  • 12 July 1996 (1996-07-12)
Running time
167 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Kadhal Kottai (transl. The Fort of Love) is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Agathiyan, and produced by Sivasakthi Movie Makers. The film stars Ajith Kumar and Devayani in the lead roles, with Heera, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Karan in supporting roles. It revolves around two people who develop a romance anonymously.

Kadhal Kottai was released on 12 July 1996 and ran for over 275 days at the Tamil Nadu box office, becoming a silver-jubilee film.[1] It was one of Ajith's highly successful films at the early time of his career. The film won the National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film, the National Film Award for Best Direction and the National Film Award for Best Screenplay (Agathiyan). In 1997, it was dubbed and released in Telugu as Premalekha. It was remade in Kannada as Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998), in Bengali as Hothat Brishti (1998) and in Hindi as Sirf Tum (1999) by the same director.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Kamali, a graduate, lives with her sister Malliga and brother-in-law Shekar (in Kotagiri, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu) and is searching for a job. While visiting Madras, her handbag is stolen and she fears she would lose her academic credentials. Suriya, an orphaned, carefree man who works in Jaipur, Rajasthan, finds the purse and sends it back to her, and a love develops through letters. They agree to love each other without meeting, as she sews and sends a gift pack containing a lotus-embroidered woollen sweater for him to wear when they meet for real. Suriya is soon transferred to Madras and stays with Siva, his new colleague.

Kamali too comes to Madras to find a job and stays with her friend Jensi. Neya, Suriya's new boss, is immediately smitten by him, but her repeated attempts to gain his love and affection fail as he is staunch about his love for Kamali. In the meantime, Suriya and Kamali run into each other without knowing who they really are, resulting in negative perception and misunderstanding. Refusing a job offer which would move her to Singapore, making it difficult for her to find Suriya, Kamali moves back to her hometown in despair.

Unable to withstand the advances of Neya, Suriya quits his job and gets sheltered by his friend Paneer, an auto rickshaw driver, who arranges for him to drive for a living. Jeeva, a wealthy businessman, expresses his interest in marrying Kamali to Shekar, but Kamali excuses herself from considering her as a prospective bride when she meets Jeeva in private and shares her unflinching love for Suriya, who even allows her to try and locate him one last time. Shekar, who initially dissuades Kamali's love finally gives in and half-heartedly allows her to go to Madras.

Upon arriving in Madras, which is experiencing severe monsoons, Kamali finds out that Jensi and the other hostel mates are not in town. Pinning hopes, she boards Suriya's auto rickshaw, without knowing that it is him, and searches for him desperately. At the end of the day, both of them get refreshed at his place, where he dons the sweater gifted by her, covering it with his uniform. As Kamali plans to head home, depressed, Suriya helps her board the Nilgiri Express. As the train departs, Suriya removes his shirt after tea spills over it. Kamali notices the sweater, deboards the train, and the pair finally unite, as Paneer and Jensi look on and rejoice.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

The basic theme of the film was inspired from Purananuru literature on the relationship between King Kopperum Chozhan and poet Pisirandhaiyar, though they never met until Chozhan is close to death.[2] Agathiyan initially wanted to make his directorial debut with this subject since no producer were willing to produce the film, he made few films and earned his breakthrough with Vaanmathi. Post its success, he chose Ajith Kumar, the actor from that film to play the leading role with Sivasakthi Pandian agreeing to produce the film.[3]

Sangita was the first choice for the lead actress, but declined due to her commitments to Poove Unakkaga, resulting in Devayani being cast.[4] Agathiyan had asked Devayani to change her glamorous on screen image for the film, and Devayani duly agreed with the film becoming the start of several other similar roles for her.[3][5] The film was initially titled Nila Nila Odi Vaa before it was renamed Kadhal Kottai.[6] Raja was initially reluctant to act, but joined the cast at the director's insistence.[7]

Themes and influences[edit | edit source]

Agathiyan has stated that many of the characters are intentionally named to convey their characteristics. Thalaivasal Vijay was given the name "Paneer" (fragrant) as the director felt the character was "a sweet person who spreads happiness", while Heera was named Neya (derived from the Tamil term Neyam) as Agathiyan felt she "deserved a lot of love". He described Karan's character Siva as "a representation of the quintessential friend in every gang, who loves to be in love, but hates staying in it for too long", contrasting him with Suriya's (Ajith) ideologies on romance.[2]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The music was composed by Deva.[8]

Tamil
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Kaalamellam Kadhal"AgathiyanP. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra5:05
2."Kavalai Padathey"AgathiyanDeva4:26
3."Mottu Mottu Malaradha"AgathiyanSwarnalatha4:54
4."Nalam Nalamariya Aval" (Version 1)AgathiyanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram4:48
5."Nalam Nalamariya Aval" (Version 2)AgathiyanKrishnaraj, Anuradha Sriram4:49
6."Sivappu Lolakku"Ponniyin SelvanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:23
7."Vellarikka"AgathiyanDeva, Krishnaraj4:23
Total length:33:48

All tracks are written by Bhuvana Chandra.

Telugu
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Nee Pilupe Prema Geetham"P. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra5:07
2."Digulu Padakuraa Sahodaraa"Vandemataram Srinivas4:28
3."Pattu Pattu Paruvaala Pattu"Swarnalatha4:55
4."Chinnadaana Osi Chinna Daana" (Version 1)R. Krishanraj, Bhuvana Chandra4:26
5."Priyaa Ninu Chuda Lekaa" (Version 2)S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram4:49
6."Ye Rupe Lolaku Kuli Kenu"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:25
Total length:29:10

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

The Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan appreciated the film by giving 52 marks, mentioning that the basic plot was a novel idea which had been given a good shape and life by the filmmaker.[9] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote, "I had expected the usual story of college boy meeting girl with both parents objecting to their relationship. So I was pleasantly surprised when [Kaadhal Kottai] turned out to be a totally different experience."[10] R. P. R. of Kalki also favourably reviewed the film, though they felt certain distracting moments such as Heera's revealing outfits, the dream sequence, auto stunt and fight sequences could have been avoided.[11] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote "A new kind of love story is given the trimmings and gloss in right proportion under the expert eye of director Ahathiyan (Vanmathi, Madhumathi) in Sivasakthi Movie Makers' Kathal Kottai making the viewers sit back and enjoy every frame."[12]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

National Film Awards – 1996[13]
Filmfare Awards South – 1996[14]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards – 1996[15]
Cinema Express Awards – 1996[16]

Remakes[edit | edit source]

Kadhal Kottai was remade in Kannada as Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998),[17] in Bengali as Hothat Brishti (1998),[18] and in Hindi by the same director as Sirf Tum (1999).[19] A Malayalam remake was planned by Mohan Paiyanur in early 1998, but the project eventually did not materialise.[20]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Kadhal Kottai is considered a cult film and a landmark in Tamil cinema diverging from traditional romantic films of the time.[21][16] This film has been included in the book Pride of Tamil Cinema written by G. Dhananjayan, which covers films between 1931 and 2013 that have earned national and international recognition. Dhananjayan wrote, "Kadhal Kottai is a trendsetting film which breathed new life into Tamil cinema and paved the way for revival of love themes in a big way".[22] According to The Times of India the film hits the top list of romantic films made in Tamil cinema.[23][24] The film also hit the list of top romantic films of Tamil magazines Ananda Vikatan and Dinamani.[25][26] The film is considered one of the blockbuster films in the career of Ajith Kumar.[27] Vijay's dance in the song "Kavalai Padathe Sagothara" also gained popularity.[28] The film was released as a novel in 2010 under the same name.[29] Some of the romantic scenes from the film were imitated by Vimal (Santhanam) and Aarthi's characters in Malai Malai (2009).[30] In the 2021 film Master, a reference is made about the film when JD (Vijay) talks to Charu (Malavika Mohanan).[31]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "'Kadhal Kottai' to 'Viswasam': Five blockbuster box office hits of Thala Ajith". The Times of India. 6 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Darshan, Navein (14 July 2020). "Director Agathiyan: Kadhal Kottai was originally supposed to be a tragedy". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 357.
  4. ↑ என்ன பாத்ததும் அவரு 1st Sorry தான் சொன்னாரு, காரணம் இதான் - Anju Aravind Reveals Goosebumps Memories (in தமிழ்). BehindwoodsTV. 14 October 2020. Event occurs at 10:30. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Swaminathan, Chitra (30 August 2008). "Five years... and still sitting pretty". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "As always". The Hindu. 27 May 2005. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  7. ↑ S, Srivatsan (6 November 2019). "From 'Kadalora Kavithaigal' to 'Adithya Varma': Tamil cinema's quintessential 'soft-spoken hero' Raja returns after a 20-year exile". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 December 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "Kadhal Kottai (1996)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "காதல் கோட்டை : சினிமா விமர்சனம்". Ananda Vikatan (in தமிழ்). 28 July 1996. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. ↑ Vijiyan, K. N. (5 August 1996). "Love story with a difference". New Straits Times. p. 5. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  11. ↑ ஆர். பி. ஆர். (4 August 1996). "காதல் கோட்டை". Kalki (in தமிழ்). p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2022.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ Ramanujam, D. S. (19 July 1996). "Kathal Kottai/Sundara Purushan". The Hindu. p. 33. Archived from the original on 20 December 1996. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "44th National Film Festival" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Best Director". Filmfare. 13 October 1999. Archived from the original on 13 October 1999. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  15. ↑ "1996 Cinema State Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 358.
  17. ↑ Srinivasa, Srikanth (3 May 1998). "Yaare Neenu Cheluve". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "All you need to know about Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed who sparked controversy in India". The Free Press Journal. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Taliculam, Sharmila (11 June 1999). "Love in absentia". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "1997–98'ன் கோடம்பாக்கக் குஞ்சுகள்" [1997–98 Kodambakkam babies]. Indolink. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "Ajith's Top 10 movies". Rediff.com. 10 December 2007. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  22. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 356.
  23. ↑ "'Kadhal Kottai' to 'Minnale': Five Tamil movies that set an example of true love". The Times of India. 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  24. ↑ "Kollywood's top 15 romantic films". The Times of India. 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  25. ↑ "காதலிக்கிறவர்கள் இந்தப்படங்களைப் பார்த்தே ஆகவேண்டும்" [Lovers should watch this film definitely]. Ananda Vikatan (in தமிழ்). 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  26. ↑ எழில் (13 February 2021). "தமிழ் ரசிகர்களின் மனதை அள்ளிய காதல் படங்கள்!". Dinamani (in தமிழ்). Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  27. ↑ "The Rise of Ajith Kumar: From Aasai to Yennai Arindhaal". NDTV. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  28. ↑ "The other Vijay". Rediff.com. 3 November 1998. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  29. ↑ "Ajith's Kadhal Kottai released as novel". BizHat Film News. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  30. ↑ Malai Malai (motion picture) (in தமிழ்). Feather Touch Entertainments. 2009.[time needed]
  31. ↑ Master ல காதல் கோட்டை பத்தி கமெண்ட் பண்றவங்க அடிப்படை தெரியாதவங்க | Director Agathiyan Interview (in தமிழ்). Cineulagam. 23 March 2021. Event occurs at 9:30. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023 – via YouTube.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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