Alai Payuthey

Story:

“Alai Payuthey” is a Tamil-language romantic drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Mani Ratnam, featuring R. Madhavan and Shalini in the lead roles. The film delves into the challenges of married life for a young couple who elope, highlighting the evolution of love among urban Indians torn between tradition and modernity. A. R. Rahman composed the score and soundtrack.

The narrative unfolds mainly through flashbacks, as Karthik (Madhavan) reminisces about how he and Shakthi (Shalini) fell in love amidst the backdrop of Chennai and its suburban trains, despite their parents’ disapproval. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics.

“Alai Payuthey” released on 14 April 2000 and made its European premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2001 and was showcased at various national and international film festivals. The film was later remade in Hindi as “Saathiya” in 2002, directed by Ratnam’s former assistant Shaad Ali.