Kadhilil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi (transl. How to mess up in love)[2] is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed Balaji Mohan based on the same‑titled short film he made. The film stars Siddharth and Amala Paul.[3] A few scenes of Siddharth, Amala Paul, Suresh and Surekha Vani were reshot for the Telugu version, which was titled Love Failure. It was released worldwide on 17 February 2012 to critical acclaim and was declared a hit.
Plot
Arun (Siddharth) and Parvathi (Amala Paul) give an interview about their love story, but they fight even before the interview gets over. The movie then rewinds five months earlier. Arun meets Parvathi in a college canteen, and they soon become friends. Parvathi has problems at her home, as her mother Saroja (Surekha Vani) wants to divorce her father Akilan/Aravind (Suresh). Arun and Parvathi fight for trivial reasons and then get together. The movie revolves around how little things may contribute to break-ups.
One day, while Parvathi gets stressed up and wants to talk to Arun, he did not answer his phone. They fight on that issue, and gradually, their fight frequency grows. Arun introduces her to his parents, and Arun's father recognises her as one of his client's daughter. He tells his son that Parvathi's parents are getting divorced. As time progresses, they break up, but the reason is not revealed. Arun's friend Vignesh tries to propose to his junior Rashmi (Dhanya Balakrishna), but she addresses him as brother and then introduces her lover, who is Vignesh's senior. Arun tries to recover from the break-up. Arun's friend calls him to a trip to Pondicherry/Yanam to see his friend John (Shyam). John's girlfriend Cathy (Pooja Ramachandran) starts a friendly chat with Arun. Cathy wishes to help Arun and asks him why they broke up. Arun says that he does not have any reason, and that is his problem. Since Cathy becomes friendly with Arun, a misunderstanding crops up between Cathy and John. Meanwhile, Akilan/Aravind approaches Prabhu (Ravi Raghavendra) for a divorce from Saroja. Prabhu, who is Arun's father, advises Akilan/Aravind to reunite with Saroja after knowing that Akilan/Aravind is Parvathi's father. Akilan/Aravind and Saroja unite in Parvathi's grandparents' 80th marriage. Consequently, John realise that Arun and Cathy are just being friendly, and he reunites with Cathy. Also, while Rashmi realises that her lover (Vignesh’s senior) is a playboy, she realises this, tells this to Vignesh, and accepts his true love. At last, Parvathi and Arun reunite after a silly quarrel in the same canteen that they met earlier.
Balaji Mohan as a director in a special appearance
Gayathri Raguram in a special appearance in the song "Alaipaaya Alaipaaya"
Production
Siddharth had said that he watched the ten-minute Tamil short film Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi by Balaji Mohan and found it interesting, developing an interest to turn it into a mainstream full-length feature film.[4] Incidentally Balaji Mohan was holding talks with S. Sashikanth of YNOT Studios then and was planning to approach Siddharth to play the male lead role;[5][6][7] Siddharth joined the crew and also decided to co-produce the venture with cinematographer Nirav Shah on their newly launched banner Etaki Entertainment.[8][9]Amala Paul joined the project in August 2011.[10] Owing Siddharth's popularity in Telugu cinema, a few scenes were reshot for the Telugu version. Filming took place in Chennai and Bangalore for an urban, modernistic backdrop.[11] Siddharth later confirmed that filming was completed in a record 35 days.[12] Deepa Venkat dubbed for the speaking voice of Amala Paul.[13]
Marketing
A teaser trailer was uploaded by Siddharth on YouTube in December 2011.[14] The filmmaker had started promotions in a unique way to impress the youths. Structured like a comic-book, the print ad introduced to a short conversion between the couple – Siddharth and Amala Paul – and their exchange of thoughts can be seen in the speech balloons.[15]
The soundtrack was composed by S. Thaman. While Madhan Karky penned the lyrics for three songs, director Balaji Mohan himself wrote the lyrics of the song "Ananda Jaladosam"; Sri Mani wrote all lyrics in the Telugu version.
Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi was released on 17 February 2012. The film opened at No.1 in Chennai box office accounting for 40% of the takings.[16] Gradually, shows were increased and it accounted for 49% of the takings in its second weekend.[17] The satellite rights of the film was acquired by STAR Vijay.[18]
Critical reception
Sify's reviewer said that the film was an "enjoyable romantic ride" that worked "largely due to its fresh script which dwells on the magic of love and its illusions", going on to label it as "jolly good fun".[19]The Times of India critic N. Venkateswaran gave it 4 out of 5 and commented that Balaji Mohan had made an "impressive debut with his tale of love and forgiveness", while pointing out that the screenplay was "cleverly written" and the dialogues were written in an "easy, conversational tone and are sure to strike a chord with youngsters".[20] Karthik Subramanian from The Hindu wrote: "KSY [...] is not just an experience. It is a festival. Make sure to take your entire gang along".[21] Behindwoods.com rated the film 3/5 and quoted: "Go for this lighthearted hilarious product!"[22] Indiaglitz.com called it a "feel-good entertainer" and further added: "Though the second half lags a bit, the movie is breezy cool and entertaining. Three cheers Balaji Mohan for a good debut venture".[23]The New Indian Express wrote, "Targeted at the urban youth, [Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi] is refreshing, engaging and definitely worth a watch".[13]
The Times of India critic Karthik Pasupleti gave the Telugu version 3.5 out of 5 and said: "Right from its unusual-yet-amusing characterization, the background score and the writing, the film is loaded with humour. As if that wasn't enough, it is nicely sugar coated from inside out".[24] Radhika Rajamani from Rediff.com gave it 3.5 out of 5 and noted that the film was "refreshing", further citing: "It is well written and talks about love and failure in the context of life today. It gives an urbane, contemporary and realistic take on the subject. well written and talks about love and failure in the context of life today".[25] Vishnupriya Bhandaram of The Hindu claimed: "Love Failure is a remarkably easy film to watch – no pressure, no headache. Right from the word go, its fresh, the narrative, the characters and the music".[26]Idlebrain.com reviewer Jeevi, too, gave the film 3.5 out of 5, concluding that it was a "well-made urban romantic comedy told in a fresh an novel [sic] style".[27] Deepa Garimella of Full Hyderabad wrote that "In all, a clean, decent watch for those looking for this kind of cinema" but noted that "The dubbing (this is a Tamil-Telugu bilingual) hurts the viewing experience most of the time, though".[28]
Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi and Pizza became trendsetters and sparked a short-lived boom of short filmmakers making their feature debut in Tamil cinema.[31]
