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{{Short description|1996 film directed by Kathir}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Kadhal Desam.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = [[Kathir]]
| writer = Kathir
| producer = [[K. T. Kunjumon]]
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Vineeth]]|[[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]]|[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]}}
| cinematography = [[K. V. Anand]]
| editing = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| studio = Gentleman Film International
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1996|8|23|ref1=}}
| runtime = 158 minutes<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |pages=532 |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |author-link2=Paul Willemen |orig-date=1994}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Kadhal Desam''''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ɑː|ð|əl|_|ð|eɪ|s|əm}} {{Translation|Country of love}}) is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Teen film|teen]] [[romance film]] written and directed by [[Kathir]] and produced by [[K. T. Kunjumon]]. The film stars [[Vineeth]], [[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]] and [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]. This marked Abbas's feature debut and Tabu's Tamil debut. The supporting cast includes [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Vadivelu]], [[Chinni Jayanth]] and [[Srividya]]. [[K. V. Anand]] was the cinematographer and [[A. R. Rahman]] composed the music. ''Kadhal Desam'' released on 23 August 1996 and became a box-office success.

== Plot ==
{{more plot|date=June 2023}}
A traditional rivalry has always existed between the students of [[Pachaiyappa's College|Pachaiyappa's]] and [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola]] colleges in [[Chennai]]. Karthik is a poor orphan who studies at Pachaiyappa's, a hobo in a rented room, travels by the bus, hangs out with a number of friends, and is the captain of his football team. He is also a good poet and daydreams about his dream girl. Arun, by contrast, comes from a wealthy family, studies at Loyola, drives his own car, hangs out with numerous friends. He too is the captain of the college football team. In a nasty intercollege riot, Arun saves Karthik's life. In return, Karthik lets Arun win in a football game because he thinks Arun cannot take losses easily. Arun soon realises that the victory is because of Karthik's sacrifice.

They become friends, setting a good example of friendship to others in their respective college. Things go well until they meet a new girl Divya who studies at [[Stella Maris College, Chennai|Stella Maris]]. Both Arun and Karthik fall in love with her, but neither realises that the other also loves the same girl. Following a sequence of events, when they realise that both in love with the same girl, their friendship is strained, and they fight with each other. At the end, Divya says that she likes them both and doesn't want to accept one while hurting the other. So she decides to continue their bond only as a platonic friendship.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Vineeth]] as Karthik
* [[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]] as Arun (voice dubbed by [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]])
* [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] as Divya (voice dubbed by [[Saritha]])
* [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] as Divya's father
* [[Srividya]] as Divya's mother
* [[Vadivelu]] as Wilson
* [[Chinni Jayanth]] as Shiva
* Kevin Erik Gray as Kevin
* Joseph as Kevin's friend
* Adithya as Kevin's friend
* Yasin as Kevin's friend
* Dinesh as Kevin's friend
* Jyothi as Divya's lecturer
* Priyanka as Mary (uncredited role)
* [[Chaplin Balu]] as Wilson's friend (uncredited role)
* [[K. T. Kunjumon]] as Director general of police (cameo appearance)
* [[Vasudevan Baskaran]] as himself (cameo appearance)
* Japan Kumar (cameo appearance in the song "Hello Doctor")
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
[[Kathir]], while writing a script, "wanted some drama rather than plain love and so wrote a story of warring colleges and two boys in them". He narrated a five-minute plot summary to [[K. T. Kunjumon]], who was impressed with it and insisted Kathir to change the film's title to ''Kadhal Desam'' from ''Kalloori Saalai'' ({{translation|College road}}).<ref name="kothavaranga" /> The film also took inspiration from the real-life rivalry between [[Pachaiyappa's College]] and [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 2003 |title=GANGS of Chennai! |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/03/stories/2003120300340400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114155003/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/03/stories/2003120300340400.htm |archive-date=14 January 2012 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[Abbas (actor)|Abbas]], then a Mumbai-based model, was in [[Bangalore]] on vacation and hanging out at a cybercafé near [[Brigade Road]], when he bumped into Kathir, who asked him to act in his Tamil film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=9 May 1998 |title=LoveNet.com |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/may/09kat.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614080529/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/may/09kat.htm |archive-date=14 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Initially reluctant due to his limited knowledge of Tamil, he declined and left for Mumbai. A year later, Abbas received a call from Kunjumon asking him to come over for a screen test as a result of Kathir's insistence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=8 April 2009 |title=My first break |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/04/03/stories/2009040350381600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408094508/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/04/03/stories/2009040350381600.htm |archive-date=8 April 2009 |access-date=2 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Vineeth]] was signed on to play another lead role in the film due to his association with Kunjumon, having previously worked in the 1993 [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]-directed film, ''[[Gentleman (1993 film)|Gentleman]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 1997 |title='My boyishness is a drawback' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/oct/16vin1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928021841/http://www.rediff.com/movies/oct/16vin1.htm |archive-date=28 September 2012 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] was signed on to make her debut in Tamil films and worked on the film alongside [[Mani Ratnam]]'s ''[[Iruvar]]''. Then struggling actor [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] had dubbed his voice for Abbas, while [[Sekar P. R.|Sekar]] dubbed the voice for Vineeth and [[Saritha]] for Tabu. [[A. Karunakaran]], who became a successful director in Telugu cinema, started his career as a clap assistant with this film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Manigandan |first=K. R. |date=28 April 2012 |title=Tale of triumph |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tale-of-triumph/article3363977.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116014210/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tale-of-triumph/article3363977.ece |archive-date=16 November 2021 |access-date=14 May 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Kathir mentioned that he dreamt of a "beautiful place full of young people" and was inspired by College Road in Chennai,<ref name="frames" /> with a setting by the beach which formed as "opening visual idea" for the film.<ref name="kothavaranga" /> Since it did not exist, he ordered it to be created for the film, costing {{INRConvert|1|c|year=1996}}.<ref name="frames" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=2 August 1997 |title=Litmus test |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/aug/02sush.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063652/http://www.rediff.com/movies/aug/02sush.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=14 May 2019 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> ''Kadhal Desam'' is the first Tamil film for cinematographer [[K. V. Anand]]. Vineeth has stated that Anand, unlike other Indian cinematographers, was able to mold actors, and would offer suggestions to him and Abbas during filming. Significant portions of the song "O Vennila" were shot at a beach from 4:00 am till sunrise at 6:00 am, over the course of 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srikar |first=Ram Venkat |date=1 May 2021 |title=Vineeth: KV Anand created poetry on the silver screen |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2021/may/01/vineeth-kv-anand-created-poetry-on-the-silver-screen-24266.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616044446/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2021/may/01/vineeth-kv-anand-created-poetry-on-the-silver-screen-24266.html |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref> Filming took place in and around the cities of [[Chennai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Ooty]], [[Mudumalai]], [[Bandipur]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Vishakhapatnam]]. [[Raju Sundaram]] was originally chosen as the dance choreographer, but during the shoot of the song "Hello Doctor", he had to attend another shoot. Therefore, his assistant Cool Jayanth did the clash work for the song. Kathir, who was impressed with his sincerity, promised him to make him a proper choreographer. Jayanth ended up choreographing the songs "Ennai Kaanavillaiye", "Kalloori Saalai" and "Thendrale".<ref>{{cite web |date=18 July 2021 |title=இவர் படத்தில் குரூப் டான்சர்... இவுங்க படங்களில் டான்ஸ் மாஸ்டர்! கூல் ஜெயந்தின் கூலான வெள்ளிவிழா |url=http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=18290&id1=3&issue=20210718 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614143743/http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=18290&id1=3&issue=20210718 |archive-date=14 June 2024 |access-date=14 June 2024 |website=[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]] |language=ta}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack for the film was composed by [[A. R. Rahman]], with lyrics by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]. The soundtrack was also released in Telugu as ''Prema Desam'' and in Hindi with the title ''Duniya Dilwalon Ki'', with lyrics written by [[Mehboob Kotwal|Mehboob]] and P. K. Mishra.

Kathir revealed that the first song to be recorded was "Kalloori Saalai", he wanted it to be a fast number, but wanted it to start the song "with a melodious line". Rahman asked for a dummy lyric for it which started with "Inbathai karuvakkinal penn", which Vaali liked and retained it for the final cut as well.<ref name="kothavaranga" />

For the song "Musthafa Musthafa", Kathir wanted a song on the lines of an old song "Paravaigal Palavitham", which was about friendship. Rahman gave him the tune during a flight journey which Kathir liked it.<ref name="kothavaranga" />

=== Tamil version ===
{| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singer(s) !! Length
|-
| "Ennai Kaanavillaiye"
| [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], O. S. Arun, Rafee
|5:40
|-
| "Hello Doctor"
| [[A. R. Rahman]], Storms, Noel James, [[Anupama (singer)|Anupama]]
|6:14
|-
| "Kalluri Salai"
| A. R. Rahman, [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], Aslam Mustafa
|5:25
|-
| "Mustafa Mustafa"
| A. R. Rahman
|6:05
|-
| "Thendrale"
| [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], [[Unni Krishnan]], [[Dominique Cerejo]]
|6:33
|-
| "O Vennila"
| Unni Krishnan
|4:54
|}

=== Telugu version ===
{| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singer(s) !! Length
|-
|"Prema Prema"
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], O. S. Arun
|5:40
|-
|"Hello Doctor"
|[[KK (singer)|KK]], Srinivas, Anupama, Noel James
|6:14
|-
|"College Style"
|S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, KK, [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
|5:25
|-
|"Mustafa"
|[[A. R. Rahman]]
|6:05
|-
|"Vennela"
|[[Unni Krishnan]], [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
|6:33
|-
|"O Vennela"
|Unni Krishnan
|4:54
|}

=== Hindi version ===
{| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singer(s) !! Length
|-
|"Jaana Jaana"
|[[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|5:40
|-
|"Hello Doctor"
|[[KK (singer)|KK]], Storms, Noel James
|6:14
|-
|"College Ke Saathi"
|[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], KK, Aslam Mustafa
|5:25
|-
|"Mustafa"
|[[A. R. Rahman]]
|6:05
|-
|"Jaari Jaa E Hawa"
|S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sonu Nigam]], [[Dominique Cerejo]]
|6:33
|-
|"O Meri Jaan"
|[[Sonu Nigam]]
|4:54
|-
|}

== Release and reception ==
''Kadhal Desam'' was released on 23 August 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Films |url=http://gentlemanfilmktk.in/tamil-films/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502095820/http://gentlemanfilmktk.in/tamil-films/ |archive-date=2 May 2022 |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=gentlemanfilmktk.in}}</ref> D. S. Ramanujam from ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "Grandiose trappings in the form of giant sets, never before erected on such a scale in an Indian movie, offer a fitting backdrop for a love story.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=30 August 1996 |title=Oru Yatra Mozhi/Kaathal Desam |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960831/03/3026b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010411050458/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960831/03/3026b.html |archive-date=11 April 2001 |access-date=12 January 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=26}}</ref> R. P. R. of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised Rahman's music, Anand's cinematography and grand sets but panned Abbas's acting, unnecessary villain track and Kunjumon's acting attempt.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஆர்.பி.ஆர் |date=8 September 1996 |title=காதல் தேசம் |url=https://ibb.co/DzVDkVK |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627083420/https://ibb.co/DzVDkVK |archive-date=27 June 2023 |access-date=27 June 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=25 |language=Ta}}</ref> Regarding the Hindi dubbed version, a critic from ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote that "It is Tabu’s lively performance that holds the film together".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desai |first=M S M |date=4 May 1997 |title=Film Review — Sapnay: A tangled love triangle |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/film-review-sapnay-a-tangled-love-triangle/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929033308/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/film-review-sapnay-a-tangled-love-triangle/ |archive-date=29 September 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

The film's initial response was average as audience found the second half to be boring which prompted Kunjumon to approach editor [[B. Lenin]] who managed to re-edit the film especially trimming the length of the climax fight,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 November 1996 |title=மறுபடியும் வீரப்பன்! |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1996-11-17/kalki1996-11-17.pdf |access-date=14 June 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=65–67 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> and the film became a large commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 1997 |title=Haute shot |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04anad.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306041344/http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04anad.htm |archive-date=6 March 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Rahman won his fifth consecutive [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 1997 |title=Kamal wins 17th Film fare award for role in Indian |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928001259/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=2 March 2012 |website=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> and Anand received the Screen Award South for Best Cinematography.<ref>{{Cite news |last=P.N. |date=17 September 2010 |title=Chasing new goals |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/Chasing-new-goals/article15952142.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616045700/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/Chasing-new-goals/article15952142.ece |archive-date=16 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Other versions ==
''Kadhal Desam'' was dubbed and released in Telugu as ''Prema Desam'' and became an equally big success.<ref name="kothavaranga" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 1998 |title=Tabu hits bigtime down south |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/oct/20ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504090412/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/oct/20ss.htm |archive-date=4 May 2018 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The Hindi dubbed version, ''Duniya Dilwalon Ki'', however, did not perform as well.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 1998 |title=Abbas on a roll |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/dec/01ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026162730/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/dec/01ss.htm |archive-date=26 October 2017 |access-date=20 October 2022 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The film was remade in Bangladeshi Bengali as ''[[Narir Mon]]'' (2000).<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2022 |title=Tabu starrer Prema Desam re-releases worldwide to celebrate its 25 years |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/tabu-starrer-prema-desam-re-releases-worldwide-celebrate-25-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131210929/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/tabu-starrer-prema-desam-re-releases-worldwide-celebrate-25-years/ |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The climax of ''Kadhal Desam'' broke a taboo in the Tamil film industry, where a love triangle would be decided with a happy ending.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malani |first=Sandeep |date=23 April 1999 |title=Love's many dimensions |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/E5541976431445E0652569400062014E?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427191521/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/E5541976431445E0652569400062014E?OpenDocument |archive-date=27 April 2008 |access-date=14 June 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Post-success, Abbas revealed that he felt that "Mustafa Mustafa" song catapulted him to stardom and enjoyed a strong female base after ''Kadhal Desam''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gautam |first=Savitha |date=27 December 2004 |title='I sold my car to buy a bike' |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/11/30/stories/2004113000310100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227183930/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/11/30/stories/2004113000310100.htm |archive-date=27 December 2004 |access-date=2 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The success of the film prompted Rahman to collaborate with Kathir again in ''[[Kadhalar Dhinam]]'' (1999) and ''[[Kadhal Virus]]'' (2002). Out of respect for his first film's director, Abbas made a guest appearance in the latter film. The film kicked off a string of youth-based stories in films with ''[[Minsara Kanavu]]'' and ''[[Ullaasam]]'' featuring similar story lines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=5 July 1997 |title=AB's babies |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/jul/05ulla.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026095318/http://www.rediff.com/movies/jul/05ulla.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
"Kalluri Saalai" and the instrumental theme of the song and flowers falling on the road was parodied in ''[[Tamizh Padam 2]]'' (2018).{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} The song "Mustafa Mustafa" inspired the title of two films: a [[Nanban Oruvan Vantha Piragu|2024 film]] was based on the lyric "Nanban Oruvan Vantha Piragu" ({{Translation|After a friend came}})<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bisht |first=Yogita |date=30 July 2023 |title=Thalapathy 68 director Venkat Prabhu shared glimpses of an exciting project, know here |url=https://newsroompost.com/entertainment/thalapathy-68-director-venkat-prabhu-shared-glimpses-of-an-exciting-project-know-here/5268512.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822031650/https://newsroompost.com/entertainment/thalapathy-68-director-venkat-prabhu-shared-glimpses-of-an-exciting-project-know-here/5268512.html |archive-date=22 August 2024 |access-date=22 August 2024 |website=NewsroomPost |language=en}}</ref> and a [[Mustafa Mustafa (film)|2026 film]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 September 2023 |title=Sathish and Suresh Ravi's film titled 'Mustafa Mustafa' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sathish-and-suresh-ravis-film-titled-mustafa-mustafa/articleshow/103662551.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915014659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sathish-and-suresh-ravis-film-titled-mustafa-mustafa/articleshow/103662551.cms |archive-date=15 September 2023 |access-date=13 March 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="kothavaranga">{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=13 February 2019 |title=How 'kothavaranga' evolved into 'Mustafa Mustafa' – Kathir on directing some of A. R. Rahman's best love songs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/valentines-day-director-kathir-and-his-series-of-love-films/article26258104.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164356/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/valentines-day-director-kathir-and-his-series-of-love-films/article26258104.ece |archive-date=22 September 2019 |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
<ref name="frames">{{Cite news |date=6 August 2000 |title=Frames full of dreams |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2000/08/06/stories/09060221.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170828145316/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/08/06/stories/09060221.htm |archive-date=28 August 2017 |access-date=14 May 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
</references>

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

{{Kathir}}

[[Category:1990s buddy films]]
[[Category:1990s romantic action films]]
[[Category:1996 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1990s teen romance films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:1996 Indian films]]
[[Category:1996 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Kathir]]
[[Category:Films produced by K. T. Kunjumon]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Indian buddy films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian teen romance films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

Kadhal Desam - Revision history

Gauravdewasi at 20:33, 6 May 2026