Sachien

"Sachien" (2005) One of Tamil superstar Vijay’s influential youth movies, this romantic comedy directed by John Mahendran features Genelia D’Souza starring opposite Vijay. The film centres around two college students who become fast friends after one saves the other’s life, but their pride prevents them from confiding in each other.

The film follows Sachein, a fun-loving, carefree dude who enrols in a local college in Ooty and immediately falls for the beautiful, strong-willed Shalini. She is infamous as much for her diva attitude as for being popular, and at first, the two can’t stand each other. When Sachein saves Shalini’s dad from a tragic accident, they get closer and they become the best of friends. A jealous classmate, the banana-pie vendor-er Santhanam (Vivek), tries to break them apart by super-fake writing on a college wall that Sachein is in love with Shalini. Initially furious, Shalini is taken aback when Sachein confesses that he is indeed in love with her. She dismisses their relationship, claiming they’re only friends. Soon after, this all culminates when Shalini overhears him claiming that she’ll be in love with him in 30 days. Offended by his audacity, she calls him out in turn, swearing that she never will.

As time goes by, Shalini becomes envious watching Sachein spend so much time with their mutual friend Manju, who eventually confesses to her that Sachein really is in love with her. Just as he’s about to leave, Shalini realizes she loves him too. Before that happens, it’s their last day in college, and Sachein, believing he has lost the challenge, chooses to leave Ooty. Shalini wants to unconditionally call off the next day’s wedding but is shocked to learn that Sachein is not just a son of a billionaire businessman; he is the son of the billionaire businessman, Gowtham. She’s scared that he’ll believe that she’s only suggesting they get married because of his money, and so she never speaks up. At the end, she runs to the airport, professes her love, and acknowledges that her pride held her back before. Sachein’s heart is jubilant, and the two finally come together.

"Sachien" is an airy, playful comedy that contemplates the desires of love and ego through the lens of expansive youthful feeling. Together, Vijay’s natural charisma and Genelia’s effervescent screen presence produce some of the most electric onscreen chemistry recently on display. With feel-good music and college life nostalgia, it delivers an enjoyable romantic tale.