Alai Payuthey

Many friends recommended this movie by Mani Ratnam. I had been impressed by the Hindi Dil Se (1998) by this director, so even though I don't know a word of Tamil, I rented the DVD since it has English subtitles.

I was not disappointed! The dialogue is very natural, and you start to identify with the young couple and the people around them. The location shooting is also vintage Mani Ratnam.

The DVD by Aingharan U.K. is superb---much better than most Indian DVDs, and comparable to the DVD of Dil Se by DEI. The colorful song sequences can be enjoyed by themselves.

This movie was way ahead of time. It's almost 24 years now this movie has released but the emotions, acting, music, direction and cinematography are so so so pure! Cut to now all Mr. Mani Ratnam, Mr. A R Rahman, Mr. P C Sreeram (Cinematography) & Mr. Sreekar Prasad (Editor) are the starlets and pioneers of the Indian movie industry today. Absolutely love each part of it every time I see it. Madhavan & Shalini have nailed there roles to the fullest! Such simple and honest take on love is so uncommon these days. I feel all the emotions through out the movie and it's every scene. Masterpiece by the directorial genius Mr. Mani Ratnam! 🙏🏽

I have NO words to describe HOW WELL this movie has been made. This movie rediscovers the beauty of LOVE, long after the success of DDLJ, when creativity started dwindling with more and more movies trying to replicate it rather than coming up with something altogether different or FRESH. We thought to ourselves, WILL WE EVER GET TO SEE A DECENT AND TOUCHING LOVE STORY??!!!! Mani Rathnam heard us and gave us `Alai Payudhe'.

As we all know, Mani is the JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES and MASTER of none, but after watching this movie, we feel that is an UNDERSTATEMENT to praise such a talented Filmmaker who's always filled with new ideas. Hats off to him and his GREY CELLS, which come in use ever so often.

It is the way in which he goes about telling the story which GLUES us to our seat and makes us LAUGH till we CRY. The treatment is what is important in a LOVE STORY and NOT the Cast or the Locales, which has been given MOST importance in Bollywood and nowadays, even Madrasi filmmakers are going the same way. Mani tries to prove all of them WRONG.

Truly different, this movie has the Best of Mani's creativity, Rahman's music, P.C.Sreeram's cinematography (though it's a bit shaky in the climax), and SUPERB performances by the WHOLE cast. Well worth the money I spent on the VCD!!!

Pros Award winning Direction, Music, Cinematography, Dialogues, First rate performances by the whole cast, simple storyline and Superb screenplay.

Cons Few clichés, minor glitches in photography, tear jerking climax and the scantily clad Sophiya Haque song.

This is a repost.

It is an urban love story. In Mani's own style. Not like usual love stories in which heroes will be diving over boards and bikes to fight against the will of (mostly) heroine's dad or some wicked uncle, this one goes some months after a love marriage and tries to look in the problems somewhat realistically.

Basic elements of love story such as good songs, photography and interesting scenes are amply available. So it's a treat and fun to watch. I watched this movie between 15 to 50 times(max). The foremost reason being Shalini for whom I had got such a likening. It's unfortunate that she did not continue acting after her marriage. She gives a good performance with Madhavan(introduced in this film).

AR Rahman's songs of this film are still standing melodies. The film was a huge hit in A and B centers in TamilNad, India. I even know certain instances of marriages following this film's logic. Heard somebody said this one was from an English movie and all. This one might have some influence but definitely not a copy.

Another interesting thing to me in this film is the narration style. If the same story narrated in a linear mode then it would not have evoked the same emotions one would feel. Writer(director)'s choice was good.

I bet at least 70% of Chennai city lovers would have watched this movie. Was such a popular one at that time. This is a well made, perfectly acted, scored, photographed and scored movie. But can not be a classic. My rating is a 7. Oh..+ 2(just for Shalini alone).

Watch it to get your mind wavered with love(alai payuthey's literal meaning is '{my mind} is wavering').

Most Indian movies that you see are mostly belong to this category.

1) Boy sees a girl .

2) Boy falls in love but the girl rejects.

3) Then the girl realizes that she also like the boy so they start loving.

4)Fortunately or unfortunately there is an enemy which doesn't let them to unite.

5) After all the hurdles they get married and the end.

But this movie doesn't just end after the marriage , it shows the problem in marriages and what true love really is.

Also watch this movie for great song picturisation.Super hit movie with super hit songs.