Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

Directed by Vikraman, “ Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen ” (1998) is a simple love story, starring Karthik and Roja, with Ajith Kumar appearing in a cameo role. The film follows two bumbling, well-meaning thieves, Selvam and Bhaskar, as they hide out with the aid of Radha, Bhaskar’s illegitimate child, who is raising herself in her father’s mansion under cover as a servant.

Selvam and Bhaskar are two small-time robbers who steal a Ganesh Idol from a temple at the request of a man who wants to become rich. After the heist goes wrong, they are pursued and seek refuge in a home where they meet Radha, a domestic worker looking after three kids. In order to force them to understand each other’s culture, Radha locks them in a room together for three days, during which she learns they’re not all that terrible and begins to fall in love with Selvam, who starts to reciprocate. Later, when they’re out, Bhaskar picks up Radha’s handbag, which has her diary in it. Selvam reads it and finds out that Radha is Vishwanathan's illegitimate daughter, whom he took as a maid after her mother's demise. Radha faces mistreatment from her father's family and awaits a response to an arranged marriage proposal.

When Vishwanathan’s wife finds her diamond necklace missing, she accuses Radha, and her husband throws her out. Working as a mobile toilet constructor, Selvam eventually saves enough money to get Radha settled in a Guntur college, arranging a hostel stay and prolonged support. In the meantime, he manages to get her a singing career launched that makes her rich and famous, as well as herself. Upon her rise, tensions flare with Vishwanathan’s wife, who does not want Selvam and Bhaskar staying there. After a near miss, Radha comes to understand Selvam’s love for her. At an award ceremony, she thanks Selvam publicly and announces her intention to marry him. After some banter with K. Rajesh and blood-soaked salt, the story closes with Selvam and Radha walking away together, their love testified.

“Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen” is a spirited romantic drama that fuses feeling, song, and complex interpersonal ties with a smart social critique, connected though they be. Delivered with loads of laughs and fun musical numbers, the film offset the poignant, insightful exploration of identity, acceptance and love beautifully. It’s a lovely, heartfelt look at how love can grow through kindness, sacrifice and learning about deeper truths that must not be ignored.