Manadhai Thirudivittai is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language musical comedy film written and directed by newcomer R. D. Narayanamurthy, starring Prabhu Deva, Kausalya and newcomer Gayatri Jayaraman in lead roles and also stars both Vadivelu, Vivek being their most recent collaboration in Tamil films. The film, which has music scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, released on 14 November 2001 and met with average results the box office. However, the film was nonetheless dubbed into Telugu and released as Manasuna Manasai in 2005. The film successfully ran for 100 days. The director R. D. Narayanamurthy and Prabhudeva celebrated the success in a grand manner. Vadivelu and Viveks comedy was well appreciated and a key point for success of this film.
Plot
Deva and Shruti study in the same college. Deva falls for Shruti and tries to win her with the help of his friend, Steve. One day, Shruti cheats and embarrasses Deva with the name of love which hurts him very deeply. Later, she understands his love and proposes to him. After some time, he meets his friend, Ashok on the road and goes to his house. There he meets Indu, Ashok's fierce sister. He gets impressed with Indu's voice and asks her to sing in his band. He tries to befriend Indu, but she complains to the police that he is eve-teasing her. The police take him to the police station and thrash him. This makes Shruti very angry and she goes to Ashok's house and shouts at Indu for her mannerless behaviour towards men and also her boyfriend. Ashok and Deva come and stop the argument between both the ladies. When Ashok realises that Shruti is still angry, he opens up a story which reveals why Indu behaves in sucha way. Indu is revealed to have been drugged and raped during her college tour. Thereafter, no one questions her about the bad incident anymore. To cheer Indu up, Deva brings Indu's favourite singer, P. Susheela to her home. She is extremely happy to spend time with her favourite singer. After knowing Deva was the one who did that, she apologises for her rude behaviour to Deva and Shruti. By this time, Deva and Shruti are going to be engaged. Deva invites his best friend, Ranjith to the engagement and introduces his future wife to him. Deva points to Shruti, but when Ranjith sees, it turns out to be Indu walking towards them. Ranjith who is shocked, congratulates him saying he has a big heart that he was willing to marry the girl he raped. Then Ranjith narrates the story, when his friends went to Kuttraalam. There, Ranjith's friends force Deva a drink of beer and make him drunk enough to meet a call girl at room 21 in the same hotel. Indu happened to be in the same hotel with her friends for her college tour. Deva mistakenly enters Indu's room when it was only her in the room alone. Deva mistakes her for the call girl and accidentally sleeps with her. When Ranjith comes looking for him, he sees him with Indu in bed with him. After knowing this truth, Deva is guilty towards both Shruti and Indu. He decides not to marry Shruti, and says this to Ranjith. Ranjith who wants Deva to be happy with his love, tells Ashok that he was the one who raped Indu and fight ensues between them. Deva splits both of them up saying he was the one ruined Indu's life. That night Indu confronts Deva and asks him to still marry Shruti as she thinks it was just an accident between them. The next morning, just before Deva tying the auspicious thread on Shruti, she stands up and asks him to stop acting. She says that she already knows that Deva was the one who raped Indu through his unsent letters in Deva's room. She creates a havoc and refuses to marry Deva, and also embarrasses Indu. Getting angry, Deva quickly marries Indu. As he ties the thaali on Indu, he looks at Shruti where she smiles at him. It turns out to be Deva himself has told Shruti about this incident and had asked her to act in such a way in the wedding the next day. She agrees to do so for Deva because of her love for him.
Cast
Production
The producers of the film initially tried to rope in Shilpa Shetty to play the lead heroine, but the actress refused as her previous pairing with Prabhu Deva in Mr. Romeo ended up being a commercial failure while Sonia Agarwal was rejected after make-up test and she was replaced by newcomer Gayathri Jayaram.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja was released on 22 September 2001 by Sa Re Ga Ma. It features 6 tracks, lyrics were penned by Pa. Vijay and Kalai Kumar., "The songs All Day Jolly Day and "Manja Kaattu Maina" was one of the most popular songs of 2001 and went on to become one of the chartbusters of the year 2001
Release
Critical reception
The movie received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Rediff wrote: "On paper, Manathai Thirudi Vittai seems to have everything going for it. Yet, somehow, it doesn't quite jell. For the most part, the film oscillates between the good and the merely banal". Hindu wrote:"Armed with a suspenseful story and a cohesive screenplay, director has come out with a fare that is reasonably appealing". Thiraipadam.com wrote, "This is a Prabhu Deva movie. What were you expecting, "Hey Ram"? It's enjoyable, entertaining fluff. The comedy, though not always successful, is sometimes very funny. The songs are great. Yuvan Shankar Raja has written some great music, and Prabhu Deva shows off his dancing skills, thankfully returning a little to his roots."
Legacy
The dialogue "Give respect, take respect" is parodied by Master Ashokkumar in Thambi.
