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Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (transl. I gave myself to you) is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Vikraman. The film stars Karthik and Roja, with Ajith Kumar in a guest appearance. Ramesh Khanna, Moulee, Sathyapriya, Fathima Babu, and Madhan Bob play other supporting roles. It was Karthik's 100th film.[1]

Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
Poster
Directed byVikraman
Written byVikraman
Produced by
G. Venugopal
Starring
Karthik
Roja
CinematographyM. S. Annadurai
Edited byV. Jaishankar
Music byS. A. Rajkumar
Production
company
Release date
  • 15 August 1998 (1998-08-15)
Running time
165 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen released on 15 August 1998. It was a huge commercial success and ran over 250 days at the box office. The film was remade in Telugu as Raja,[2] in Kannada as Kanasugara,[3] in Bengali as Shakal Sandhya and in Odia as Mo Duniya Tu Hi Tu.[1]

Plot

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Selvam and his friend Bhaskar are petty thieves, who live their lives by stealing stuff from people. One day, they are assigned a job to steal a Ganesh Idol from the temple, for a man who had just moved into a new house, citing prosperity as a reason. The friends succeed in stealing the idol but are spotted by the people who start chasing them. They hide in a house and encounter Radha. Radha is a maid in the house and is looking after the owners' three children while the adults are away on pilgrimage tour. Radha and the kids lock the two of them in a room and order them to do stuff for three days. Radha, while spending time alone in the house with the guys, realise that they are not bad after all and develops a soft corner for Selvam and he in return, falls for her. The guys are released after three days, the day the owners are to return.

Bhaskar steals Radha's handbag which contains her diary. Selvam reads the diary and finds out that Radha is the illegitimate daughter of Vishwanathan. After her mother's death, Radha meets her father who accepts her as his daughter but has to bring her into the house as a maid. Vishwanathan's second wife and her sister take an instant dislike for Radha. They treat her with utter disgust and blame her for the tiniest of the things. Vishwanathan plans to arrange the marriage between Sanjay, his brother-in-law and Radha. But Sanjay says that he doesn’t know if Radha has the qualities to become his wife and said that he would have to think about it and asks for three months time. Radha waits for his reply. Selvam, after reading her diary, feels pity on her and tries to change his ways by working responsibly after Radha's advice. He also hides his feelings for her.

After returning from the trip, Vishwanathan's wife finds out that her diamond necklace is missing. When looking for it, she finds a cigarette bud in one of the drawers. She and her sister scold Radha and chase her out. Selvam who comes to return her bag, finds out and helps her to accommodate in a hostel. He does many petty works to pay the hostel fees and help Radha. One day, Selvam finds about Radha's singing talent and tries to help her move on with it. He encounters music director Gangai Amaran late one night and helps him repair his car. In return, he asks the director to help Radha out. Radha, after singing a few songs, becomes successful in her singing career and becomes rich. She stays in her bungalow with Selvam and Bhaskar.

During an interview, Radha refrains from saying her father's name. Upset, Vishwanathan reveals that he is the father. His wife, looking at Radha's money, accepts Radha as her daughter as well. They come to stay at her house. Vishwanathan's wife does not like Selvam and Bhaskar staying with them. They plan the wedding of Sanjay and Radha, as Sanjay had accepted to marry Radha, long time back. When Radha had gone out of town with Sanjay, to receive an award, Vishwanathan's wife and sister-in-law stage a drama that Selvam stole Radha's money and chase him and Bhaskar out. Radha comes back and is shocked. She finds Selvam's diary in his room and understands his love for her.

During an award ceremony, Radha reveals that the reason for her success is not her family but Selvam and she had fallen in love with him. She also tells her desire to marry him. Selvam who had arrived there to drop a passenger, sees it and is called upon the stage when Radha sees him in a TV. In a short flashback, it is shown that Radha had informed Sanjay and Vishwanathan about her love for Selvam and how Sanjay had accepted it. The film ends with Selvam and Radha leaving the place hand in hand.

Cast

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Special appearances in "Vaanambadiyin" song

Production

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After having a 1996 success with the Karthik film Gokulathil Seethai, Lakshmi Movie Makers began their sixth production and launched a film with director Vikraman in February 1998. Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen was set to feature Vijay in the lead role, whom Vikraman worked with in Poove Unakkaga, but production delays meant that the actor was replaced by Karthik.[4] Karthik initially wanted to quit as he felt the story was similar to his earlier film Nandhavana Theru (1995), but after Vikraman assured him it was not, he remained.[5] Though Meena was the initial choice for producers, she had to be replaced as Vikraman insisted on casting Roja.[6] Swathi was initially approached to appear in a single song sequence for the film, but her refusal led to Anusha being chosen.[7][8] Sarathkumar and Khushbu made cameo appearances as themselves for a song.[9]

Ajith Kumar revealed that his role in the film was initially supposed to be a full-length role but the character underwent changes after the film started. He continued to play his guest part in the film due to his admiration for his co-actor, Karthik.[10][11] The success of Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen later led to Karthik making a guest appearance in the Ajith film Anantha Poongatre (1999).[12]

Soundtrack

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The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar.[13][14] The song "Edho Oru Paattu" was later adapted by Sanjeev–Darshan in the Hindi film Mann (1999) as "Chaha Hai Tujhko".[15]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Edho Oru Paattu" (Male)KalaikumarHariharan4:26
2."Malligai Poove Malligai Poove"ThamaraiP. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha4:26
3."Edho Oru Paattu" (Version 2)KalaikumarP. Unnikrishnan4:26
4."Kaatrukku Thudhuvittu"Ra. RavishankarUnnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra4:42
5."Thottabedda Kuliru"Palani BharathiHariharan4:16
6."Edho Oru Paatu" (Female)KalaikumarSujatha4:26
7."Vaanambadiyin"Ra. RavishankarSujatha4:17
Total length:30:59

Release and reception

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Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen released on 15 August 1998.[16] It became one of the most successful Tamil films of the year.[17][18] Ji of Kalki praised the acting of Karthik and Ajith, called Rajkumar's music as film's biggest strength while also applauding the picturisation of the songs and added although the film seemed to have ended quickly, it is very elegant without the usual anarchy of villains and stunts.[19] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "As the admiring and worshipping hero Karthik underplays his role with maturity, Ramesh Khanna evoking guffaws with his antics and utterances. Ajith Kumar in a guest role does a pleasant job. Annadorai's camera work is in keeping with the moods".[20]

Accolades

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Occasion Award Recipient Ref.
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Third Best Film Vikraman [21]
[22]
Best Story Writer
Best Actress Roja
Best Cinematographer Annadurai
Special Prize Karthik
Cinema Express Awards Best Film Vikraman [23]
Best Actor Karthik
Best Actress Roja

References

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  1. ^ a b ஆவுடையப்பன், பேச்சி (9 March 2024). "Karthik: கார்த்திக்கிடம் சவால் விட்ட இயக்குநர் விக்ரமன்.. உன்னிடத்தில் என்னை கொடுத்தேன் உருவான கதை!". ABP Nadu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  2. ^ "5 remakes of Venkatesh that will take you back to the 90s". OTTPlay. 17 July 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Kanasugara". Sify. Archived from the original on 11 January 2005. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  4. ^ சிவா (1 March 2024). "இந்த படத்துல நான் நடிக்க மாட்டேன்!.. அடம்பிடித்த கார்த்திக்!.. அட அந்த சூப்பர் ஹிட் படமா!." CineReporters (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  5. ^ "I have glamour and performance skills too". Cinematoday2.itgo.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  6. ^ ">>>>>>>>Tamil Movie News>>>>>>>>>>>>". Google Groups. 2 August 1998. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Swathi Refused It!". Dinakaran. 7 July 1998. Archived from the original on 23 October 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ "சிம்ரனுக்கு நேரமில்லை!". Kalki (in Tamil). 9 August 1998. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ "I didn't dream that one day I would turn into a filmstar!". Vasuki. 9 June 1999. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011 – via ajithkumar.fr.fm.
  10. ^ "Film Highlights". members.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ Malani, Sandeep (1 June 1999). "Karthik and Ajith reunite". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen". JioSaavn. January 1998. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Kannethirey Thondrinal- Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Tamil Film Audio CD by SA Rajkumar". Macsendisk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  14. ^ Srinivasan, Karthik (25 September 2018). "How 6 Out Of 8 Songs In A 90s Aamir Khan Film Were Lifted From World Music". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  15. ^ "ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம் ரிலீசாகும் ஹிட் படங்கள்... அஜித்தின் சென்டிமென்ட்!". News18 (in Tamil). 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  16. ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (22 January 1999). "Luring the audiences back to theatres". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 11 April 2001. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  17. ^ Rajitha (15 September 1999). "Pyar to hona hi tha". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  18. ^ ஜி. (30 August 1998). "உன்னிடத்தில் என்னை கொடுத்தேன்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 16. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (21 August 1998). "Film Reviews: Unnidathil Ennai Koduthaen / Godzilla". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 6 June 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Year 2000: Tamil Cinema Highlights (Part-2) | The Chronicle Of The Year 2000, Month By Month". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Tamil Nadu state film awards announced; "Natpukkaga" bags best film award". The Hindu. 17 July 2000. Archived from the original on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Cinema Express awards presented". The Indian Express. 1 August 1999. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
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