Manamagale Vaa () is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Panchu Arunachalam in his directorial debut. The film stars Prabhu and Raadhika. It was released on 25 November 1988. The film was remade in Telugu as Idem Pellam Baboi (1990) and in Kannada as Halli Rambhe Belli Bombe (1991).
Plot
Balu is an eligible bachelor, looking for a wife. With a picture perfect woman in mind, he insults and rejects many women. Meanwhile, Chitra is looking for a way to reconcile her sister Geetha's marriage with her husband. Geetha has been sent to her parents' home for no fault of hers. Chitra figures that the most appropriate way to settle scores with her sister's in-laws is by marrying Balu, as Geetha is married to Balu's brother. She disguises herself as a village belle, Rajathi and enters Balu's life. After marriage, Balu is traumatised by her ignorance, but Rajathi falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Rajathi's suitor from the village hatches a plan to bring her back from her husband and marry her forcibly. Balu, on the other hand, decides to divorce Rajathi. Chitra decides to unveil her mask now, but will her plan succeed or boomerang?
Cast
Prabhu as Balu
Raadhika as Chitra and Rajathi
Goundamani as Gounder
Chinni Jayanth
P. R. Varalakshmi
V. K. Ramasamy
S. S. Chandran
Gandhimathi
Kovai Sarala as Ponni
Vennira Aadai Moorthy
Soorya as Geetha
Oru Viral Krishna Rao
Idichapuli Selvaraj
Charle
Omakuchi Narasimhan
Typist Gopu
Manorama
Sudha
Mannangatti Subramaniam
Production
Manamagale Vaa is the directorial debut of Panchu Arunachalam, and was initially titled Kothandarama Reddi.
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Reception
The Indian Express appreciated the film for reversing the "Taming of the shrew" formula. P. S. S. of Kalki appreciated the film for its comedy.