Kadhalukku Mariyadhai is a 1997 Tamil musical romantic drama film directed by Fazil. It stars Vijay with Shalini. Music by Ilaiyaraaja. It was released on 19 December 1997.
Jeeva, the son of a wealthy family who would rather do an MBA than marry, falls for Mini, a Christian B.Com student he meets at a bookshop. When her three protective elder brothers discover the romance, they beat Jeeva and his friends, and Jeeva's own father also refuses to accept her. Cast out by both families, the couple take shelter in a fishing hamlet near Pondicherry with the father of Jeeva's friend Kesavan, who stands up for them. Torn between their love and the pain they are causing their families, Jeeva and Mini face the question of whether a marriage without their parents' blessing is worth having.
Vijay plays Jeeva, a gentle, sincere young lover — a soft romantic role that won him his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. Described as one of his biggest hits up to then, it cemented his image as a family-friendly romantic hero.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Remake of Fazil's own Malayalam hit Aniyathipraavu (1997); Shalini reprised her role from the original.
Shalini's first Tamil film as a leading lady; she had earlier been a popular child artist.
Fazil first wanted a newcomer heroine, but Shalini insisted on reprising her role.
Abbas was Fazil's first choice for the hero; scheduling problems caused by his manager led to Vijay being cast.
Filming began in October 1997, after Vijay finished Ninaithen Vandhai, and wrapped in early December 1997 — barely weeks before release.
Vijay sang 'O Baby' with Bhavatharini.
Palani Bharathi wrote all the lyrics and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist.
Ilaiyaraaja reused the entire soundtrack for the Telugu film Preminchedi Endukamma (1999).
Reportedly made for about ₹50 lakh and grossed about ₹15 crore.
The song 'Ennai Thalatta Varuvala' inspired the title of a 2003 Tamil film.
The bookshop meeting scene was spoofed in Tamizh Padam (2010).
Vijay and Shalini reunited under Fazil for Kannukkul Nilavu (2000).
The film opened to positive reviews. The Hindu said Vijay 'brings to surface the soft nature of the love' and praised Fazil's direction, while New Straits Times called it a film for the whole family; Kalki liked the leads, Ilaiyaraaja's music and the climax but questioned the casting of Charle and Dhamu, and Ananda Vikatan rated it 50/100.
Regarded as one of the defining Tamil romances of the late 1990s and a turning point that broadened Vijay's appeal to family audiences; it remains frequently referenced and parodied.