Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen is a 1997 Tamil romantic drama film directed by R. Sundarrajan. It stars Vijay with Dimple, Karan and R. Sundarrajan. Music by Deva. It was released on 14 January 1997 (Pongal).
In Coimbatore, Kannan, the pampered and reckless son of a retired police commissioner, becomes infatuated with Manimegalai, a proud, self-reliant singer who rebuffs him. His heavy-handed attempts to win her over end with her father and the police stepping in, and around the same time Kannan learns from a temple priest that he was an adopted orphan. When Manimegalai moves to Ooty to work as personal assistant to businessman Raja, Kannan follows and takes a job as Raja's driver, only for her to falsely accuse him of theft. The story turns on whether Kannan's quiet transformation can change her opinion of him.
Vijay plays Kannan, a spoilt rich youth who matures into a selfless man, part of the run of romantic dramas that consolidated his family-audience image in 1996-97. He also sang the song 'Anjam Number' for the film.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Title translates as 'I will wait for eons'.
Released on Pongal 1997 (14 January), clashing with Nesam, Minsara Kanavu and Iruvar.
Murali was the original choice for the lead before Vijay was cast.
Director R. Sundarrajan wrote all the song lyrics himself and appears in a special role as Govindan.
Vijay sang 'Anjam Number', one of his early playback outings.
Music by Deva; audio rights went to Pyramid Audio and Music Master.
Set across Coimbatore and Ooty.
Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen remains part of the 69-film journey that took Vijay from the cinema screen to the Chief Minister’s chair.