Among the better ones. I usually don't like romantic films. Alai payuthey is not very different than most other such films but Mani Ratnam did it in his own style. It's less dramatic than other, seems realistic. It's based on real life issues. Character's are natural. It's not happy go lucky story, it has it's share of sad moments(which are overdone in second half).
Parents meeting scene in the film is the best. The actors executed it very well. I can't imagine a more realistic and well written scene like this.
The ending did not go well with me. Final 25 minutes felt forced.
Songs were good. First song goes well with the flow of the film. Snehthane Snehthane was the best song but it felt disconnected from the film. September Madham was not good.
The high drama(not melodrama)
prevents it from being a great film. The length might be a problem as it felts atleast 15 minutes too long.
As of now, it needs 95 more votes to enter top 250 Indian chart. That is hard to believe coz it has cult following in Tamil Nadu( + Tamil films are popular among Malayalam audience as well) ,even it's Telugu dub is a hit. Maybe, IMDb is unfair to old films.
