Kaadhal Kavithai

Kadhal Kavithai (English: Poem of love) is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romance film directed by Agathiyan and produced by Murali Manohar. The film features Prashanth and Isha Koppikar in the lead roles, while Kasthuri, Manivannan and Srividya play other supporting characters. The film had music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while duo Lancy-Mohan and Ravi Yadav handled the editing and cinematography respectively.

Kadhal Kavithai
Poster
Directed byAgathiyan
Produced byMurali Manohar
StarringPrashanth
Isha Koppikar
Kasthuri
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyRavi Yadav
Edited byLancy-Mohan
Production
company
Metro Film Corporation
Release date
  • 25 December 1998 (1998-12-25)
Running time
145 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

The storyline revolves around a classical dancer who, while touring Europe, visits Princess Diana's memorial at Althorp. Browsing through the various messages left by the public, she comes across a poetic, poignant epistle in Tamil that captivates her and impels her to scribble a response. While returning a few days later, she finds the author of that note has left another one, prompting her to begin to search for the author. After opening in December 1998, the film went on to gain success critically and became a commercially successful venture.[1]

Plot

Vishwa (Prashanth) spends his time hanging out with Anandham (Charlie) to avoid his mother (Ambika), who always quarrels with his dad (Manivannan). To find peace, he plays tricks on others. Among the victims is Jothi (Isha Koppikar). The story moves to London, where Vishva visits Princess Diana's grave and leaves a beautiful poem behind. At the same time, Jothi too visits the grave and leaves a note after reading the poem. Then begins a warm relationship between Jothi and Vishwa without seeing each other. Whether the two are united form the rest of the story.

Cast

Production

After the success of Shankar's 1998 romantic film Jeans, the co-producer Ashok Amritraj agreed to work with actor Prashanth again in his next film and thus signed on to finance a film to be directed by Agathiyan.[2][3][4] The film was initially titled Adhisayam (Wonder) and shooting began in Tamil Nadu in August 1998.[5] The film went through a change of title to Kaadhal Kavithai, reminiscent of Agathiyan's yesteryear film Kadhal Kottai and Amritraj sold the project to Sunanda Murali Manohar of Cee I TV Limited.[6]

Isha Koppikar made her debut as an actor with this film, despite signing on to appear in K. S. Ravi's En Swasa Kaatre before Kaadhal Kavithai.[7] The team had earlier approached Aishwarya Rai to be a part of the film, though she did not accept the offer.[8] Monal auditioned for the film, but did not make the final cast.[9] Raju Sundaram choreographed a belly dance song shot in Rajasthan featuring actress Kasthuri.[2] Part of the film is shot in London, with locations including near the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and Althorp, where the memorial to Princess Diana was located.[10][11]

Release

A critic from Indolink.com gave the film a positive review mentioning that Kaadhal Kavithai "is handled neatly and that Agathian manages well with dialogues and a fresh mix of characters", describing it as "the must see movie of the year".[12] A critic from Tamil Movie Cafe also gave the film a positive review, praising the director's work.[13]The Deccan Herald mentioned that the film is "visually a delight, the songs and music are pleasant, especially when they harmonise with the locations, which they don’t always." The reviewer adds that "Prashanth is alright though he seems a little narcissistic, you always feel that he’s looking at a mirror someone’s holding up. The heroine is new, and not unpleasant. Srividya is wasted, though brightening."[14]

Prashanth with Kaadhal Kavithai capped off a hat-trick of hit films in 1998 after the successes of Shankar's Jeans and Ravichandran's Kannedhirey Thondrinal.[6] Isha Koppikar won plaudits from critics for her performance with Rediff.com stating that with her "strong screen presence, and acting skills that belie her newbie status, she could be the latest to storm the TN industry".[2] The film won her further offers and Vijay signed her on for his next Nenjinile after seeing her performance in Kaadhal Kavithai.[15] She went on to win the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut in 1998.[16]

Soundtrack
Kaadhal Kavithai
Soundtrack album by
Ilaiyaraaja
Released1998
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelNew Music
Cee (I) TV Audio
Sa Re Ga Ma

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, his only collaboration with Agathian, was well received by the audience and became one of the most sold albums in 1998.[17]

TrackSongSinger(s)Duration
1"Aalana Naal Mudhala"Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, Sowmya Raoh05:06
2"Hey Konji Pesu"Ilaiyaraaja, Sujatha05:05
3"Alai Meethu"Bhavatharini03:04
4"Diana Diana"Hariharan05:11
5"Kadhal Meethu"Hariharan05:08
6"Manasa Thotta Kadhal"Hariharan04:37
7"Thathom"Ila Arun, Swarnalatha04:59

References
  1. http://m.rediff.com/movies/1999/jan/16ss.htm
  2. http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jan/16ss.htm>
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20041023142720/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/27-04-98/genes.htm
  4. "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". Rediff.com. 8 December 1999. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. "A Chat with Ashok Amritraj". Indolink.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  6. "Luring the audiences back to theatres - The Hindu". Cscsarchive.org:8081. 22 January 1999. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. "Papa's beti - Deccan Herald". Cscsarchive.org:8081. 30 July 2000. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312040740/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinenews/27-06-98/prashant.htm
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20041023142518/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/26-12-99/jothiga.htm
  10. "Gokul'S Home Page". Oocities.org. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  11. http://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/oct/28ss.htm
  12. "Kaadhal Kavithai: Movie Review". Indolink.com. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20001101043154/http://tmcafe.com/kathalkavithai.htm
  14. "Kadal Kavithai - Deccan Herald". Archive.cscs.res.in. 20 June 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  15. "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". Rediff.com. 7 June 1999. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  16. "Filmfare awards presented at a dazzling function - The Times of India". Cscsarchive.org:8081. 25 April 1999. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  17. "Kaadhal Kavidhai: Music Review". Indolink.com. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
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