Kudaikul Mazhai

Kudaikul Mazhai () is a 2004 Tamil drama film written, directed and produced by Parthiban. He also stars in the lead role alongside Madhumitha, while Sriman portrayed a supporting role. The film released in September 2004 and was well received by film critics.
Plot.
Venkat (Parthiban) finds himself in a spot when suddenly a young, modern, good-looking Madhumita (Madhumitha) follows him everywhere, proclaiming her love for him. He knows that she's too big a catch for him and even tells her so, but when she goes on in a romantic vein, he yields to the temptation. And that spells his doom for it has been a charade all along. The shock is too much for the mild mannered Venkat. The affected, cobwebbed mind begins to develop schizophrenic tendencies.
Production.
The film was originally titled "Nee + Naan", though Parthiban chose to rename it "Kudaikul Mazhai" () as the story was about his character's first love and felt that the experience metaphors an experience of rain inside an umbrella. The scenes were shot with a steady cam and 435 cameras, using sophisticated techniques, with scenes usually filmed at night. The film was completed with little publicity and promotion, with Parthiban noting he did not want his audience to come to the cinema halls with preconceived ideas the film.
Soundtrack.
An underrated album of Karthik Raja. Particularly the songs "Enga Poi Solluven" and "Adiye Kiliye" are really good numbers as well as the BGMs. The lyrics were written by Na. Muthukumar and R. Parthiban.
Release.
The film opened to positive reviews from critics with Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noting the film "is a marked deviation from formula fare. Parthiban the creator has slogged to provide a new menu for the audience. And he has, as far as the theme goes." Sify.com's critic noted "within the commercial format and he has done his best to make a different film".
The film however met with a "cold response" at the box office, with Parthiban suggesting that the film was "far ahead of its time". Madhumitha's performance in the film was well received and she was offered several Tamil films soon after the release of "Kudaikul Mazhai".