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{{About||the 1952 Tamil film|Kaadhal (1952 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Kaadhal poster.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = [[Balaji Sakthivel]]
| writer = Balaji Sakthivel
| starring = [[Bharath (actor)|Bharath]]<br />[[Sandhya (actress)|Sandhya]]<br />[[Kadhal Sukumar|Sukumar]]
| producer = [[S Shankar]]
| distributor = [[S Pictures]]
| music = [[Joshua Sridhar]]
| cinematography = [[Vijay Milton]]
| editing = [[G. Sasikumar]]
| released = {{Film date|2004|12|17|df=y}}
| runtime = 150 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Kaadhal''''' ({{translation|Love}})<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=S |date=2 June 2005 |title=Politics, Tamil Cinema Eshtyle By |url=https://www.countercurrents.org/arts-anand020605.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119075107/https://www.countercurrents.org/arts-anand020605.htm |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |via=countercurrents.org}}</ref> is a 2004 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama]] film based on a true story, directed by [[Balaji Sakthivel]], starring [[Bharath (actor)|Bharath]] and [[Sandhya (actress)|Sandhya]]. It was produced by [[S. Shankar]] and featured music composed by [[Joshua Sridhar]]. The film opened on 17 December 2004 to critical acclaim and was a high commercial success. It was Bharath's first successful film as a main lead actor. The film was dubbed into [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Premisthe'' in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeevi |title=Movie review – Premiste |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-premiste.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120103518/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-premiste.html |archive-date=20 January 2022 |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref> It was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Cheluvina Chittara]]'' in 2007, in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] as ''[[Chirodini Tumi Je Amar]]'' in 2008,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2014 |title=Chirodini Tumi Je Amar 2 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/chirodini-tumi-je-amar-2/articleshow/33776024.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819130522/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/chirodini-tumi-je-amar-2/articleshow/33776024.cms |archive-date=19 August 2024 |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> in [[Bangladesh]] as ''Nogor Mastan'' in 2015, in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] as ''Ved Laavi Jeeva'' in 2010, in [[Nepali language|Nepali]] as ''[[Manjari (film)|Manjari]]'' in 2013 and in [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] as ''[[Ramta Jogi]]'' in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-02 |title='Chirodini Tumi Je Amaar' shines with audience |url=http://www.bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/news.php?id=30583&cat=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916085849/http://www.bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/news.php?id=30583&cat=6 |archive-date=16 September 2008 |access-date=2012-07-14 |website=Bharatstudent.com}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Murugan is a diligent scooter mechanic in [[Madurai]], leading a simple and peaceful life—until Aishwarya, a wealthy student and the daughter of a local goon and bar owner, takes an interest in him. Her infatuation turns dangerous when she persuades Murugan to help her escape the constraints imposed by her family, who have other plans for her future. At first, Murugan hesitates to pursue a relationship, worried about the differences in their social status and caste. But he eventually recognizes her genuine love and reciprocates her feelings. Aware that Aishwarya's family will never approve of their marriage, the couple decides to elope to Chennai. With the help of Murugan's friend Stephen during this critical time, they manage to marry. However, Aishwarya's family, who dotes on her, is far from willing to let them go easily.

The family tracks down the couple and reaches Chennai to confront them. However, they pretend to accept the wedding and persuade Murugan and Aishwarya to return to Madurai with them. On the way back, the family takes the couple to their farmland, where Aishwarya's relatives have gathered. There, they brutally beat Murugan, and Aishwarya's father demands that she remove the mangalyam tied by Murugan. Fearing that Murugan's life is in danger if she disobeys, Aishwarya reluctantly agrees to marry another man to save him. Murugan is left beaten and abandoned at the farmland.

Years later, while traveling with her husband and child, Aishwarya unexpectedly comes across Murugan—now a mentally deranged beggar wandering near a traffic signal. Shocked, she faints and is admitted to a nearby hospital. That night, she runs from the hospital back to the signal and finds Murugan sitting there. Overcome with guilt and sorrow, she cries, feeling responsible for his tragic condition. Her husband arrives at the scene, understands the situation, and ensures Murugan receives proper care by admitting him to a mental health center and looking after him.

The movie concludes with title cards revealing that the story is based on a true incident, narrated to the director by the girl's husband during a train journey, which inspired the film.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Bharath (actor)|Bharath]] as S. Murugan
* [[Sandhya (actress)|Sandhya]] as R. Aishwarya
* [[Kadhal Sukumar|Sukumar]] as Stephen
* [[Kadhal Dhandapani|Dhandapani]] as Rajendran
* S. Krishna Murthy as Aishwarya's uncle
* Arun Kumar as Murugan's assistant
* Saravanan as aspiring director Bhagya
* [[Saranya Nag|Saranya]] as Sathya
* Pallu Babu as Viruchagakanth
* Muthuraman as Dhanasekaran
* Sivakumar as Aishwarya's husband
* [[Sridhar (choreographer)|Sridhar]] special appearance in the song "Pura Koondu"
* [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] as Mansion mate (uncredited)
}}

== Production ==
After the average response of his directorial debut film ''[[Samurai (2002 film)|Samurai]]'' (2002), Balaji Sakthivel was supposed to direct again Vikram in a new venture which was later shelved.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinebits |url=http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/cinebit/c66.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522103318/http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/cinebit/c66.html |archive-date=22 May 2013 |access-date=12 September 2016 |website=Nilacharal}}</ref><ref name="rediff1">{{Cite web |last=Poornima |date=2004-12-20 |title=Bharath as hero in ''Kaathal'' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/20spice.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235548/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/20spice.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=17 June 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> When Balaji was preparing a script for Vikram, he saw a school girl and a mechanic together which "hit my mind that they won’t end up with each other due to their societal and economic differences" and wrote a script on them while the film's ending was inspired from a true event happened in Madurai which he came to know after his interaction with a passenger during train journey. After many producers refused to do the film due to its "hard-hitting climax",<ref name="bs">{{Cite web |last=Darshan |first=Navein |date=25 September 2019 |title=Sense of a scene: Kaadhal climax, love in the times of caste |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/Sep/25/sense-of-a-scene-kaadhal-climax-love-in-the-times-of-caste-2038671.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006034510/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/sep/25/sense-of-a-scene-kaadhal-climax-love-in-the-times-of-caste-2038671.html |archive-date=6 October 2019 |access-date=23 August 2024 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> Balaji narrated it to Shankar during the shoot of ''[[Anniyan]]'' (2005), who agreed to produce the film after hearing the script.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=2005-09-23 |title=Another new venture |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301540100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127020151/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/09/23/stories/2005092301540100.htm |archive-date=27 November 2007 |access-date=8 January 2024 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

The film was initially turned down by actors [[Dhanush]] and [[Shanthanu Bhagyaraj]], before Balaji Sakthivel consulted Shankar's advice for the lead role. Telugu actor [[Ram Pothineni|Ram]] also auditioned for the lead role but was unsuccessful. After considering both [[Manikandan]] and [[Bharath (actor)|Bharath]] from the cast of ''[[Boys (2003 film)|Boys]]'' (2003), Shankar chose the latter to star in his production.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 August 2016 |title=In search of a hit |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/In-search-of-a-hit/article14555209.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111074732/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/In-search-of-a-hit/article14555209.ece |archive-date=2023-01-11 |access-date=2023-01-11 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> For the female lead, the makers held discussions with [[Ileana D'Cruz]] and then [[Varalaxmi Sarathkumar]], but the latter's father [[R. Sarathkumar]] was reluctant to let her become an actress at the time. The team then picked Saranya Nag, then a Class IX student, when cinematographer Vijay Milton referred her on to Balaji Sakthivel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After Samurai, Vikram was ready to give me his dates |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/balaji-sakthivel.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103102752/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/director/balaji-sakthivel.html |archive-date=3 January 2017 |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=A |first=Ganesh |date=May 22, 2023 |title=வரலட்சுமியை ஷங்கர் படத்தில் நடிக்க அனுமதிக்காத சரத்குமார் - அப்பாவின் கண்டிஷனால் பறிபோன 3 பிளாக்பஸ்டர் படங்கள் |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/varalaxmi-sarathkumar-miss-boys-kadhal-and-saroja-movie-chance-rv1krq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522053001/https://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/varalaxmi-sarathkumar-miss-boys-kadhal-and-saroja-movie-chance-rv1krq |archive-date=22 May 2023 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=[[Asianet News]] |language=ta}}</ref> She was initially considered to play the heroine in the film, but the role was later handed to Sandhya, after the director felt Saranya looked too young, Saranya later was chosen for the character of Sandhya's friend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=31 March 2012 |title=Awaiting the monsoon |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article3266069.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019130255/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article3266069.ece |archive-date=19 October 2013 |access-date=12 September 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Dhandapani from Madurai was selected to play Sandhya's father. He became popular with this film and adopted the film's title as Kaadhal Dhandapani.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2014 |title=Tamil actor Dhandapani dies due to Cardiac Arrest |url=https://news.biharprabha.com/2014/07/tamil-actor-dhandapani-dies-due-to-cardiac-arrest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324170637/https://news.biharprabha.com/2014/07/tamil-actor-dhandapani-dies-due-to-cardiac-arrest/ |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Biharprabha News |language=en |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref>

Though the story was shown to have taken place in Madurai, shooting was done in [[Dindigul]] and Madurai. The school where Sandhya studies is St. Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School, Dindigul. The first schedule was completed in 20 days and rest of the scenes were shot at locations in Chennai, Chalakudy and Munnar.<ref name="co">{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=12 August 2004 |title=Kadhal |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/onlocation/kadhal01.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218005942/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/onlocation/kadhal01.asp |archive-date=18 February 2007 |access-date=17 January 2023 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The film has eight songs composed by [[Joshua Sridhar]] making his debut.<ref name="Suganth2011b">{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M. |date=22 January 2011 |title=I don't believe in comebacks: Joshua |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/I-dont-believe-in-comebacks-Joshua/articleshow/7333854.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816004044/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/I-dont-believe-in-comebacks-Joshua/articleshow/7333854.cms |archive-date=16 August 2014 |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Haricharan]] made his singing debut with this film when he was 17, and went on to record three songs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnan |first=Lalithaa |date=3 June 2006 |title=Successful note |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/06/03/stories/2006060300280100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209125227/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/06/03/stories/2006060300280100.htm |archive-date=9 December 2007 |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| headline = Track list<ref>{{Cite web |title=காதல் (2004) |url=https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kadhal-songs-T0000650 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109131616/https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/kadhal-songs-T0000650 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Raaga |language=ta}}</ref>
| total_length = 37:26
| all_lyrics = [[Na. Muthukumar]]
| title1 = Poovum Pudikkudhu
| extra1 = [[Krish (singer)|Krish]], [[Pop Shalini]], [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]]
| length1 = 3:29
| title2 = Ivanthan
| extra2 = [[Sunitha Sarathy]]
| length2 = 2:09
| title3 = Thandattikarupaiyee
| extra3 = Pop Shalini, Vidhya, Malar, Maalaiamma
| length3 = 5:45
| title4 = Thottu Thottu
| extra4 = [[Haricharan]], Harini Sudhakar
| length4 = 5:41
| title5 = Pura Koondu
| extra5 = [[Suresh Peters]], [[Harish Raghavendra]], Tippu, [[Premji Amaren|Premji]], [[Karunas]], Nagoor E.M. Haneefa
| length5 = 5:31
| title6 = Kiru Kiru
| extra6 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], Pop Shalini
| length6 = 4:32
| title7 = Unakkena Iruppaen
| extra7 = Haricharan
| length7 = 6:16
| title8 = Kaadhal
| extra8 = Haricharan
| length8 = 4:03
}}

{{track listing|
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| headline = Telugu track list<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premisthe songs |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/premisthe/2Tj-KsIuq0g_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109135641/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/premisthe/2Tj-KsIuq0g_ |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |website=Jio Saavn}}</ref>
| total_length = 34:55
| all_lyrics = [[Veturi]]
| title1 = Moolasandhu
| extra1 = Karthik, Tippu, Srivardhini
| length1 = 6:03
| title2 = Thandana Dappulatho
| extra2 = Pop Shalini, Malathi Sharma, Srivardhini
| length2 = 5:40
| title3 = Ithade
| extra3 = Sunitha Sarathy
| length3 = 2:08
| title4 = Mattilanti Nannu
| extra4 = Haricharan, Harini Sudhakar
| length4 = 6:16
| title5 = Puvvu Nachenu
| extra5 = Karthik, Pop Shalini, Tippu
| length5 = 3:30
| title6 = Janma Needele
| extra6 = Haricharan
| length6 = 6:16
| title7 = Gira Gira
| extra7 = Karthik, Pop Shalini
| length7 = 5:02
}}

== Reception ==
Visual Dasan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised the film for its realism and the cast performances.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=2 January 2005 |title=காதல் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2005-01-02/page/4/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230317092807/https://archive.org/details/kalki2005-01-02/page/4/mode/2up |archive-date=17 March 2023 |access-date=8 January 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=4 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Kadhal [..] apart, from the otherwise run of the mill story of calf love, elopement and the consequences thereof. Balaji Saktivel (story, screenplay, dialogue and direction) deserves full credit for the differently conceived drama in the end, where very little is actually said — the body language conveys it all" while praising the film's performances of cast and director's treatment of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarayan |first=Malathi |date=24 December 2004 |title=Kaadhal |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/12/24/stories/2004122402850300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120090332/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/12/24/stories/2004122402850300.htm |archive-date=20 November 2006 |access-date=17 June 2018 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote "A short simple tale, an equally simple narrative style, an unassuming lead pair with their people next-door looks, and some well coordinated performances all make for some fairly engaging viewing in ‘Kadhal’."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=27 December 2004 |title=Kadhal |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/12kadhal.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015005751/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/12kadhal.asp |archive-date=15 October 2006 |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> G Ulaganathan from [[Deccan Herald]] wrote "There are a few minor flaws in the movie, like the climax when the lover boy suddenly becomes mad and the girl’s husband tries to give him treatment in a mental asylum".<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2005 |title=Kaadhal|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb062005/mr5.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404081347/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb062005/mr5.asp |archive-date=4 April 2005 |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

== Box office ==
Produced on a budget of {{INR}} 1.25 crore, the film was a sleeper hit, recovering almost its entire budget from Chennai distribution territory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=2004-12-31 |title=Year 2004 — a flashback |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/12/31/stories/2004123101620100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404070908/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/12/31/stories/2004123101620100.htm |archive-date=2005-04-04 |access-date=2012-07-14 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jan 25, 2005 |title=Chennai weekend box-office (Jan21-23) |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/chennai-weekend-box-office-jan21-23-news-boxoffice-kkfv96jajhgsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054818/http://www.sify.com/movies/chennai-weekend-box-office-jan21-23-news-boxoffice-kkfv96jajhgsi.html |archive-date=18 May 2018 |access-date=1 October 2022 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The Telugu dubbed version, ''Premisthe'', was also a success.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sreedhar Pillai |date=5 November 2005 |title=Dubbed films, a hit |url=http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2005/11/05/stories/2005110500860303.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141028133150/http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2005/11/05/stories/2005110500860303.htm |archive-date=28 October 2014 |access-date=19 April 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
St. Joseph Girl's Higher Secondary School, Madurai filed a case against the filmmakers for portraying their school in a negative light.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2005 |title=Case Filed against the film 'Kadhal' |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/16022005-1.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305132434/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/16022005-1.shtml |archive-date=5 March 2005 |access-date=19 August 2024 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The film's success catapulted Bharath to fame.<ref name="rediff2005">{{Cite web |last=Poornima |date=2 March 2005 |title=Prabhu Deva, hot hot! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/02ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065204/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/02ss.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=17 June 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> It's screenplay was released in the form of a book in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2005 |title=Kaadhal screenplay in book form |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News26/10-8-05e/tamil-movies-news-kaadhal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110074144/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News26/10-8-05e/tamil-movies-news-kaadhal.html |archive-date=10 January 2023 |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Behindwooods}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{S. Shankar}}
{{Balaji Sakthivel}}

[[Category:2004 Indian films]]
[[Category:2004 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2004 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Balaji Sakthivel]]
[[Category:Films scored by Joshua Sridhar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Madurai]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Romantic drama films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

Kaadhal - Revision history

Thefacecentre at 08:00, 25 March 2026