Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

Selvam and his friend Bhaskar are petty thieves, who live their lives by stealing stuff from people. One day, they are assigned a job to steal a Ganesh Idol from the temple, for a man who had just moved into a new house, citing prosperity as a reason. The friends succeed in stealing the idol but are spotted by the people who start chasing them. They hide in a house and encounter Radha. Radha is a maid in the house and is looking after the owners' three children while the adults are away on pilgrimage tour. Radha and the kids lock the two of them in a room and order them to do stuff for three days. Radha, while spending time alone in the house with the guys, realise that they are not bad after all and develops a soft corner for Selvam and he in return, falls for her. The guys are released after three days, the day the owners are to return.

Bhaskar steals Radha's handbag which contains her diary. Selvam reads the diary and finds out that Radha is the illegitimate daughter of Vishwanathan. After her mother's death, Radha meets her father who accepts her as his daughter but has to bring her into the house as a maid. Vishwanathan's second wife and her sister take an instant dislike for Radha. They treat her with utter disgust and blame her for the tiniest of the things. Vishwanathan plans to arrange the marriage between Sanjay, his brother-in-law and Radha. But Sanjay says that he doesn’t know if Radha has the qualities to become his wife and said that he would have to think about it and asks for three months time. Radha waits for his reply. Selvam, after reading her diary, feels pity on her and tries to change his ways by working responsibly after Radha's advice. He also hides his feelings for her.

After returning from the trip, Vishwanathan's wife finds out that her diamond necklace is missing. When looking for it, she finds a cigarette bud in one of the drawers. She and her sister scold Radha and chase her out. Selvam who comes to return her bag, finds out and helps her to accommodate in a hostel. He does many petty works to pay the hostel fees and help Radha. One day, Selvam finds about Radha's singing talent and tries to help her move on with it. He encounters music director Gangai Amaran late one night and helps him repair his car. In return, he asks the director to help Radha out. Radha, after singing a few songs, becomes successful in her singing career and becomes rich. She stays in her bungalow with Selvam and Bhaskar.

During an interview, Radha refrains from saying her father's name. Upset, Vishwanathan reveals that he is the father. His wife, looking at Radha's money, accepts Radha as her daughter as well. They come to stay at her house. Vishwanathan's wife does not like Selvam and Bhaskar staying with them. They plan the wedding of Sanjay and Radha, as Sanjay had accepted to marry Radha, long time back. When Radha had gone out of town with Sanjay, to receive an award, Vishwanathan's wife and sister-in-law stage a drama that Selvam stole Radha's money and chase him and Bhaskar out. Radha comes back and is shocked. She finds Selvam's diary in his room and understands his love for her.

During an award ceremony, Radha reveals that the reason for her success is not her family but Selvam and she had fallen in love with him. She also tells her desire to marry him. Selvam who had arrived there to drop a passenger, sees it and is called upon the stage when Radha sees him in a TV. In a short flashback, it is shown that Radha had informed Sanjay and Vishwanathan about her love for Selvam and how Sanjay had accepted it. The film ends with Selvam and Radha leaving the place hand in hand.

{{cast listing|

• Karthik as Selvam
• Roja as Radha
• Ramesh Khanna as Bhaskar, Selvam's friend
• Moulee as Viswanathan, Radha's father
• Sathyapriya as Janaki, Radha's stepmother
• Madhan Bob as Mahadevan, Radha's uncle
• Fathima Babu as Vasanthi, Radha's aunt
• Ajith Kumar as Sanjay (guest appearance)
• Vaiyapuri as Delhinger sister
• Singamuthu as Police constable
• Kovai Senthil as House owner
• Sheela
• K. Natraj
• Hemalatha
• James Vasanthan as television interviewer
• Gangai Amaran as Himself (guest appearance)
• Uma as Uma (guest appearance)
• Ambika as Rani, Radha's mother (guest appearance)

Special appearances in "Vaanambadiyin" song

• Sarathkumar
• K. S. Ravikumar
• Khushbu
• S. A. Rajkumar
• Deva

}}

After having a 1996 success with the Karthik film Gokulathil Seethai, Lakshmi Movie Makers began their sixth production and launched a film with director Vikraman in February 1998. Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen was set to feature Vijay in the lead role, whom Vikraman worked with in Poove Unakkaga, but production delays meant that the actor was replaced by Karthik.{{Cite web |title=A-Z Continues... |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz-5.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003725/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/a-z/atoz-5.htm |archive-date=24 April 2013 |access-date=28 May 2012 |website=INDOlink}} Karthik initially wanted to quit as he felt the story was similar to his earlier film Nandhavana Theru (1995), but after Vikraman assured him it was not, he remained.{{Cite web |last=சிவா |date=1 March 2024 |title=இந்த படத்துல நான் நடிக்க மாட்டேன்!.. அடம்பிடித்த கார்த்திக்!.. அட அந்த சூப்பர் ஹிட் படமா!.. |url=https://cinereporters.com/karthik-denied-to-act-in-unnidathil-ennai-koduthen-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052204/https://cinereporters.com/karthik-denied-to-act-in-unnidathil-ennai-koduthen-movie/ |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=CineReporters |language=Ta}} Though Meena was the initial choice for producers, she had to be replaced as Vikraman insisted on casting Roja.{{Cite web |title=I have glamour and performance skills too |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Interviews-meena.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222153234/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/Interviews-meena.htm |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=23 February 2012 |website=Cinematoday2.itgo.com}} Swathi was initially approached to appear in a single song sequence for the film, but her refusal led to Anusha being chosen.{{Cite web |date=2 August 1998 |title=>>>>>>>>Tamil Movie News>>>>>>>>>>>> |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.malaysia/c/IK1QB4s7svQ/m/vgNXGIm7utMJ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407132054/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.malaysia/c/IK1QB4s7svQ/m/vgNXGIm7utMJ |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Google Groups}}{{Cite web |date=7 July 1998 |title=Swathi Refused It! |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/7-07-98/manthra.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023182718/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/7-07-98/manthra.htm |archive-date=23 October 2004 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Dinakaran}} Sarathkumar and Khushbu made cameo appearances as themselves for a song.{{Cite magazine |date=9 August 1998 |title=சிம்ரனுக்கு நேரமில்லை! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1998-08-09/page/n5/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230602150930/https://archive.org/details/kalki1998-08-09/page/n5/mode/2up |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |magazine=Kalki |pages=4–5 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}}

Ajith Kumar revealed that his role in the film was initially supposed to be a full-length role but the character underwent changes after the film started. He continued to play his guest part in the film due to his admiration for his co-actor, Karthik.{{Cite web |date=9 June 1999 |title=I didn't dream that one day I would turn into a filmstar! |url=http://ajithkumar.free.fr/filmographie/inter22.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527035402/http://ajithkumar.free.fr/filmographie/inter22.htm |archive-date=27 May 2012 |access-date=21 October 2011 |website=Vasuki |via=ajithkumar.fr.fm}}{{Cite web |title=Film Highlights |url=http://members.tripod.com/~tamilcinenews/Unnida.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991005085030/http://members.tripod.com/~tamilcinenews/Unnida.htm |archive-date=5 October 1999 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=members.tripod.com}} The success of Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen later led to Karthik making a guest appearance in the Ajith film Anantha Poongatre (1999).{{Cite web |last=Malani |first=Sandeep |date=1 June 1999 |title=Karthik and Ajith reunite |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/1D297F589F2327C665256940004C8AA3?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427175605/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/1D297F589F2327C665256940004C8AA3?OpenDocument |archive-date=27 April 2008 |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=The Times of India}}

The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar.{{Cite web |date=January 1998 |title=Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/unnidathil-ennai-koduthen/ZdzkZrAPSVo_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607094502/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/unnidathil-ennai-koduthen/ZdzkZrAPSVo_ |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=10 May 2023 |website=JioSaavn}}{{Cite web |title=Kannethirey Thondrinal- Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Tamil Film Audio CD by SA Rajkumar |url=https://macsendisk.com/product/kannethirey-thondrinal-unnidathil-ennai-koduthen-tamil-film-audio-cd-by-sa-rajkumar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510060308/https://macsendisk.com/product/kannethirey-thondrinal-unnidathil-ennai-koduthen-tamil-film-audio-cd-by-sa-rajkumar/ |archive-date=10 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023 |website=Macsendisk}} The song "Edho Oru Paattu" was later adapted by Sanjeev–Darshan in the Hindi film Mann (1999) as "Chaha Hai Tujhko".{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=25 September 2018 |title=How 6 Out Of 8 Songs In A 90s Aamir Khan Film Were Lifted From World Music |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/how-6-out-of-8-songs-in-a-90s-aamir-khan-film-were-lifted-from-world-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401105359/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/how-6-out-of-8-songs-in-a-90s-aamir-khan-film-were-lifted-from-world-music |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=10 January 2019 |website=Film Companion}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| total_length = 30:59

| title1 = Edho Oru Paattu

| extra1 = Hariharan

| lyrics1 = Kalaikumar

| note1 = Male

| length1 = 4:26

| title2 = Malligai Poove Malligai Poove

| lyrics2 = Thamarai

| extra2 = P. Unnikrishnan, Sujatha

| length2 = 4:26

| title3 = Edho Oru Paattu

| lyrics3 = Kalaikumar

| extra3 = P. Unnikrishnan

| note3 = Version 2

| length3 = 4:26

| title4 = Kaatrukku Thudhuvittu

| lyrics4 = Ra. Ravishankar

| extra4 = Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra

| length4 = 4:42

| title5 = Thottabedda Kuliru

| lyrics5 = Palani Bharathi

| extra5 = Hariharan

| length5 = 4:16

| title6 = Edho Oru Paatu

| lyrics6 = Kalaikumar

| extra6 = Sujatha

| note6 = Female

| length6 = 4:26

| title7 = Vaanambadiyin

| lyrics7 = Ra. Ravishankar

| extra7 = Sujatha

| length7 = 4:17

}}

Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen released on 15 August 1998.{{Cite web |date=26 March 2019 |title=ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம் ரிலீசாகும் ஹிட் படங்கள்... அஜித்தின் சென்டிமென்ட்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/ajith-movies-released-in-the-month-of-august-130809.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230607075945/https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/ajith-movies-released-in-the-month-of-august-130809.html |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=News18 |language=ta}} It became one of the most successful Tamil films of the year.{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=22 January 1999 |title=Luring the audiences back to theatres |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/990122/09/09220222.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010411023141/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/990122/09/09220222.htm |archive-date=11 April 2001 |access-date=11 March 2024 |work=The Hindu |pages=26}}{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=15 September 1999 |title=Pyar to hona hi tha |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204004318/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/sep/15ajit.htm |archive-date=4 December 2022 |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Rediff.com}} Ji of Kalki praised the acting of Karthik and Ajith, called Rajkumar's music as film's biggest strength while also applauding the picturisation of the songs and added although the film seemed to have ended quickly, it is very elegant without the usual anarchy of villains and stunts.{{Cite magazine |last=ஜி. |date=30 August 1998 |title=உன்னிடத்தில் என்னை கொடுத்தேன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1998-08-30/page/n17/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230602160039/https://archive.org/details/kalki1998-08-30/page/n17/mode/2up |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=16 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "As the admiring and worshipping hero Karthik underplays his role with maturity, Ramesh Khanna evoking guffaws with his antics and utterances. Ajith Kumar in a guest role does a pleasant job. Annadorai's camera work is in keeping with the moods".{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=21 August 1998 |title=Film Reviews: Unnidathil Ennai Koduthaen / Godzilla |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/980821/09/09210223.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000606142346/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/daily/980821/09/09210223.htm |archive-date=6 June 2000 |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=The Hindu |pages=26}}

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Category:1990s Indian films

Category:1990s Tamil-language films

Category:1998 films

Category:1998 romantic drama films

Category:Films directed by Vikraman

Category:Films scored by S. A. Rajkumar

Category:Indian romantic drama films

Category:Tamil films remade in other languages

Category:Tamil-language Indian films