1996 Indian film
Kalloori Vaasal (transl. College gate) is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Pavithran. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Prashanth, Pooja Bhatt and Devayani. It was released on 18 February 1996. This film is the only collaboration of Ajith and Prashanth and only Tamil film of Pooja Bhatt.
Plot
Sathya and Vasanth are best friends since childhood. Kumaraswamy is working under Sathya's mother and he wants his daughter Pooja to marry Sathya so that he would be wealthy for the rest of his life. For this he makes many tricks and pranks to make them walk together alone, to go for a ride and many more. On Vasanth's birthday Sathya goes to wish him but he denies his wish and says his birthday means nothing to him any more. Simultaneously Sathya's mother decides that her son is to marry Pooja and the engagement day arrives. Without informing her, when she enters the house as all the other guests did, Kumaraswamy insists that she wear the engagement saree. Knowing the situation she leaves the place crying and Sathya follows her. In the middle of the street he shouts at her and asks the reason why she can't marry him. She immediately shows her Mangala sutra (wedding thread) which she has hidden from everyone and reveals that she is already married.
The flashback begins with Nivetha and Pooja being best friends from school and on the first day of college Nivetha meets Vasanth and falls in love. Unaware of this, Pooja and Vasanth love each other. When Pooja discovers her friend's love for Vasanth, she decides to sacrifice her love. On Vasanth's birthday she denied her love for him and quickly he forcefully married her. Seeing this, Nivetha kills herself before their eyes. Pooja separates from Vasanth thinking that he was the reason for her friend's death.
After knowing this Sathya goes on to have a fight with Vasanth. But after knowing the truth, Sathya decides to sacrifice his love for Pooja and decides to unite Vasanth and Pooja. On a cultural day when Sathya, Vasanth and Pooja give a combined performance, the opposite gang led by Kumaraswamy plots against Vasanth and stabs him. The blame is then put on Sathya who is jailed. When Pooja sees her husband get hurt, she forgets everything and starts to cry for him. When Vasanth regains consciousness, he and Pooja finally are united.
Production
The film featured choreographer Kalyan in his acting debut as a college rogue.[2] This was the only Tamil film which Pooja Bhatt had acted so far. In an interview, Ajith mentioned that he became good friends with Bhatt, despite initially finding her "aloof".[3] During the production of the film, Prashanth was unhappy about the way that his character was depicted and his father Thyagarajan was involved in a spat with the director over the issue.[4] Prashanth sported a ponytail for his role in the film.[5]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Deva.[6]
Release and reception
The film was released on 18 February 1996.[7] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "The dances, songs and grudge contests director Pavithran has staked in Anand Associates Kalloori Vaasal, all to catch the eye of the younger audience, have not been matched by a fitting story".[8] The film did not perform well at the box office.[9]
