“Love Today” (1997) is a romantic film by Balasekaran. Features Vijay, Manthra, Suvalakshmi and Raghuvaran. The film centres on a carefree young student who is doted on by his father and lives a comfortable life. He falls for the daughter of a stern police officer, but his love remains unrequited. Misunderstanding their friendship as an affair, her father intervenes, forcing her to leave town.
Ganesh is a recent college graduate living at his home with his father, Chandrasekhar, an overindulgent doctor. Sandhya, the daughter of unyielding police inspector Vasudevan, is studious to the point of obsession and determined to win a gold medal, announcing she will never marry. Ganesh, for his part, falls for her at first sight, when her friend Fathima enquires about her, Sandhya tells her friend that she is not interested in anyone. Despite his efforts and advice from friends Ravi and Peter, Sandhya remains indifferent and eventually confronts Ganesh to end his pursuit.
When Ganesh’s misbehaviour gets Vasudevan suspicious, he beats Ganesh up, leading Sandhya to leave town. Ganesh does what he can to search for her, but in the meantime, his father is killed in an accident. Heartbroken, he finds out that Sandhya is in love with him now, but he spurns her, believing he lost everything because of love and was not able to bid farewell to his father. The following day, as Sandhya anxiously waits for him at the bus stop, Ganesh is being prepped for a job interview on his father’s advice.
“Love Today” is a terrific emotional romantic drama that perfectly gets the soul-crushing depth of first love, miscommunication and independence. Alternating between bittersweet intimacy and raw emotion, the film captures the transformative power of love, which brings both happiness and sorrow. It’s a deeply insightful board exploration of relationships, responsibilities, and the choices that come with growing up.