Ennavale

James Vasanthan and his three friends Ganeshan, Charles, and Mohan, have a music troupe that sings at weddings. They are tenants of Subramani whose daughter Lakshmi shares a good rapport with the youths, helping them in their time of need. Her encouragement puts a new zeal in James, who soon gains recognition as a singer. However, this does not bring any change in the group’s lifestyle, for J. Suresh still shows them as strugglers. James finally proposes to Lakshmi who rejects him, as she has her past to reckon with. She is a divorcee, her husband having abandoned her soon after marriage for his girlfriend. When Lakshmi’s friend and neighbor Seetha puts some sense into her, she decides to make amends. But misunderstandings pile up between the lovers – the situations are all forced here – until J. Suresh leads the story to a desired happy ending. The director initially approached to produce the film, but Ratnam refused the script. He however introduced Suresh to , who was signed on to play the lead role. The film was eventually produced by Sri Sai Deva Productions, a noted Telugu film studio, making their first Tamil film venture. also entered the Tamil film industry as the soundtrack producers for the film. The film was tentatively titled , whilst actress made her debut with the film after calling off schedules for her film, . Telugu comedian also made his debut in Tamil films with the project. The film was shot across locations in Kerala, Chennai, Ooty, Hyderabad and Gopichettipalayam and the filming was completed within 18 days. Soundtrack was composed by , with lyrics by . Venky of wrote, “Madhavan’s first movie in Tamil ‘Alai Payuthe’ and third, ‘Minnale’ have good songs but unfortunately his second, ‘Ennavale’, was a big letdown”. was released on 21 December 2000. Malini Mannath of wrote, “A routine storyline with the first half reminding one of films like ‘ ‘ and the twists and turns already twisted many a time in quite a few recent films, ‘Ennavale’ gives a sense of déjà vu throughout. There is nothing by way of novelty in script or presentation.” Malathi Rangarajan of critic revealed that the “reeks of melodrama bogs down even a natural performer like Madhavan”. Visual Dasan of wrote if you are looking for solace other than the fact that you can watch it without cringing even if you go with your family, you can only say Madhavan and Sneha’s performance. The film subsequently did not perform well at the box office.