Kanden Kadhalai

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Kanden Kadhalai
Kanden Kadhalai.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by R. Kannan
Written by Pattukkottai Prabakar (dialogues)
Screenplay byKannan
Story by Imtiaz Ali
Based on Jab We Met (Hindi) by Imtiaz Ali
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography P. G. Muthiah
Edited by Kola Bhaskar
Music by Vidyasagar
Production
companies
Distributed by Sun Pictures
Release date
  • 30 October 2009 (2009-10-30)
Running time
150 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Kanden Kadhalai (transl.I Saw My Love) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by R. Kannan. The film, a remake of the 2007 Hindi film Jab We Met , with Bharath and Tamannaah Bhatia reprising the roles of Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. The film was released on 30 October 2009 and became a commercial success.

Contents

Plot

Shakthi becomes the managing director of the Rajasekhar Group of Companies after his father’s death. Dejected by continuous business losses, his girlfriend Anita marrying another man, and his estranged mother suing him for company shares, Shakthi feels his life collapsing. Overwhelmed, he leaves his office one day and boards a random train without knowing its destination.

Onboard, he meets Anjali, a bubbly and talkative young woman returning to her hometown Theni after completing her studies. Her nonstop chatter irritates the withdrawn Shakthi. When he contemplates jumping off the moving train, Anjali’s presence prevents him. She shares that she loves Gautham and plans to elope with him because her orthodox family would never approve.

Later that night, Anjali discovers Shakthi missing from the train and spots him sitting alone on a station platform. She gets down to bring him back, but the train departs, leaving them both stranded. Blaming Shakthi, Anjali insists he help her reach the next station. They hire a cab, but she misses the train again. Forced to stay overnight in a small lodge, they plan to continue to Theni the next day. Slowly, a friendship blossoms, and Shakthi begins admiring her cheerful attitude and optimism.

Shakthi opens up about his personal troubles, and Anjali advises him to let go of his bitterness and live happily. She even tells him there’s no harm in his mother choosing to remarry, which makes Shakthi realize his mistake and softens his resentment.

When they reach Theni, Anjali’s affectionate family insists he stay for a week. Meanwhile, her marriage is arranged with a relative, Mokkarasu, which she opposes. She decides to run away to Ooty to reunite with Gautham and persuades Shakthi to accompany her. Her family assumes she has eloped with him. Shakthi, who has secretly fallen in love with Anjali, hides his feelings and drops her off in Ooty. Despite her protests, he tells her their journey together is over and returns to Chennai, determined to rebuild his business.

Rejuvenated by Anjali’s influence, Shakthi brings energy and optimism to his work. His company thrives as he launches new ideas and reconciles with his mother, even making her the chairwoman. Ten months later, the company’s success peaks, and a televised advertisement featuring Shakthi catches the attention of Anjali’s parents. Her father, Ramana, visits him in Chennai and reveals that Anjali hasn’t contacted them in ten months. Shocked, Shakthi vows to find her and heads to Ooty.

There he meets Gautham, who confesses that he had rejected Anjali’s request to marry, fearing his father’s disapproval. He admits he never tried to reach her afterward as he was busy with his new business. Disappointed, Shakthi searches for Anjali and discovers she is now working as a schoolteacher, living quietly and alone.

He meets her and urges her to return home, but Anjali refuses. She explains that Gautham prioritized ambition over love and that she can’t face her family after eloping. Shakthi patiently convinces her that going home will heal everyone.

On the day of their return, Gautham arrives unexpectedly to apologize. The three travel together to Theni, only to find Anjali’s family has planned a grand welcome, believing she and Shakthi are already married. Mistaking Gautham for Shakthi’s friend, they even organize a reception.

Gautham pressures Anjali to tell the truth, but she hesitates, realizing her affection for Shakthi has grown stronger. Seeing her torn, Gautham urges Shakthi to leave before she changes her mind. Heartbroken yet respectful, Shakthi departs for the railway station.

Moments later, Anjali gathers her courage, runs after him, and confesses her love at the station. Shakthi, overjoyed, accepts her feelings. The two finally unite, bringing closure to their long journey of loss, rediscovery, and love.

Cast

Cameo appearance

Production

Though it was initially reported that the film was titled Raja Rani, [1] that title was already registered for a different film; the title was eventually confirmed to be Kanden Kadhalai. [2] Filming began in March 2009. [3] The film was shot in locations including Chengalpattu, Coonoor, Ooty and Pollachi. [4] Filming wrapped that July. [5]

Music

The film's music was composed by Vidyasagar. The soundtrack, consisting of six tracks, was released on 14 August 2009. [6] [7] Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com wrote, "It looks like Vidhyasagar has really tried to produce a set of tunes that veer away from his usual. It works sometimes, at others, the effort seems contrived. Overall, though, the effect isn't too bad. Perhaps the picturisation might introduce new layers to the music. Worth a listen once". [8]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Venpanju" Yugabharathi Udit Narayan, Karthik 4:56
2."Suthudhu Suthudhu" Na. Muthukumar Hariharan 04:16
3."Naan Mozhi Arindhen" Yugabharathi Suresh Wadkar 05:39
4."Kaatru Pudhidhaai"Yugabharathi Rahul Nambiar 05:23
5."Oododi Poren" Madhan Karky Lavanya, Rashmi Vijayan04:22
6."Oru Naal Iravil"Na. Muthukumar Tippu, Benny Dayal 04:46
Total length:29:22

Critical reception

Sify wrote that Kanden Kadhalai "is a cute love story which reaches directly to your heart and good fun while it ". [9] Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff.com wrote, "In comparison with Jab We Met, you might find the magic slightly wanting. On its own, though, Kanden Kadhalai has its unique moments. And for that, it's certainly worth a watch". [10] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote, "Forget the original and Tamannah's over-acting in certain scenes. Just enjoy her radiance, and Bharath's generally apt underplay". [11]

References

  1. "'Jab We Met' becomes 'Raja Rani' in Tamil". MSN . 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  2. "Jab We Met is now Kandein Kadhalai". The Times of India . 1 March 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  3. "Kannan directing Tamil remake of Jab We Met". Hindustan Times . IANS. 12 March 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  4. "Kandaen Kadhalai will be a different experience". The New Indian Express . 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  5. "'Kandein Kadhalai' wraps up shoot". The New Indian Express . 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  6. "Kanden Kadhalai". Hungama.com . 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  7. "Kanden Kadhalai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Gaana . 14 August 2009. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  8. Srinivasan, Pavithra (25 August 2009). "Kandein Kadhalai: Recreating Jab We Met's magic". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  9. "Kanden Kadhalai". Sify . 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  10. Srinivasan, Pavithra (30 October 2009). "Kanden Kadhalai, good but lacks Jab We Met's magic". Rediff . Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  11. Rangarajan, Malathi (6 November 2009). "Jab they succeed! -- Kandaen Kaadhalai". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2025.