Ullathai Allitha () is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Sundar C. The film stars Karthik, Rambha and Goundamani, with Manivannan, Jai Ganesh, Senthil, and Jyothi Meena in supporting roles. It revolves around a man who escapes from his home to avoid a forced marriage, but unknowingly falls in love with the same woman.
Ullathai Allitha is heavily based on the Tamil films Bommalattam (1968) and Sabaash Meena (1958). The film was scored by Sirpy, photographed by U. K. Senthil Kumar and edited by B. S. Vasu, with filming taking place predominantly in the Fernhills Palace, Ooty. It was released on 15 January 1996 and became a commercial success.
Plot
Raja is the only son of retired military colonel Chandrasekhar, who raises his son very strictly. Chandrasekhar decides to get Raja married to his friend Viswanathan's daughter Indhu. Vishwanathan is one of the richest men in Ooty and is a tea estate owner. Raja misunderstands another girl as Indhu (Chandrasekhar's nephew Shankar switched Indhu's photo with another girl) and decides to run away from Chennai to escape the forced marriage. Unknown to Chandrasekhar, Shankar plans to grab his properties by triggering Raja to leave the house.
Raja runs away and reaches Ooty, where he meets Vasu, a con artist, and despite initial setbacks both become friends. One day, Raja sees Indhu in Ooty and gets attracted towards her, not knowing that she was the girl fixed for him by his father. Raja follows Indhu and finds her home. Later Raja secures a driver job in Viswanathan's home to woo Indhu.
Raja gives his family ring to Vasu to prevent him from disclosing the truth to Viswanathan, but Viswanathan misunderstands that Vasu is Chandrasekhar's son as he wears the ring now. Viswanathan brings Vasu to his home and introduces him as Indhu's fiancé. One day, a gang tries to attack Vasu, but he is saved by Raja, which makes him understand that there is someone looking out to kill him, so Raja decides to remain in the identity of a driver to unearth the reason behind the goons trying to attack him.
Viswanathan informs Chandrasekhar that his son is found but asks him not to come immediately to see him as he dislikes his father. Meanwhile, at Ooty, Raja tries to impress Indhu, while Vasu is attracted towards Viswanathan's personal secretary Meena. Slowly, love blossoms between Indhu and Raja. Suddenly, Chandrasekhar comes to Ooty to Viswanathan's home to meet Raja. A problem erupts as Raja is in the guise of a driver. Both Raja and Vasu try to manage by roaming together for a few days so that they can convince both Viswanathan and Chandrasekhar.
Meanwhile, Shankar gets furious upon knowing that Raja is found. He befriends Kasinathan, who is Viswanathan's twin brother. However, Kasinathan is a criminal who has just been released from jail. They kidnap Viswanathan, and now, Kasinathan comes to Viswanathan's place so that he can enjoy all the properties and wealth. Doubt erupts for Raja and Vasu upon seeing Kasinathan as he spends money lavishly, compared to Viswanathan, who is very stingy.
Raja and Vasu secretly follow Kasinathan and finds the whereabouts of Viswanathan and the plan behind his kidnap. Raja is shocked to see his cousin Shankar there as he is the master brain behind all the events. A hilarious fight follows, where in the end, Shankar and Kasinathan get arrested. It is also revealed that Raja is the son of Chandrasekhar. Raja unites with Indhu, while Vasu unites with Meena.
Cast
Karthik as Raja
Rambha as Indhu
Goundamani as Vasu
Manivannan as Viswanathan and Kasinathan
Jai Ganesh as Chandrasekar
Senthil as Viswanathan's manager
Pandu as Viswanathan's manager
Jyothi Meena as Meena
Kazan Khan as Shankar
Vichu Vishwanath as Chandrasekar's manager
Karuppu Subbiah as Seth
Production
The story and screenplay of Ullathai Allitha were written by Sundar C., who also directed, while the dialogues were written by K. Selva Bharathy. The film was produced by N. Prabhavathi, N. Jyothi Lakshmi, N. Vishnuram and N. Raghuram. Sundar said the film was initially planned as a romantic comedy, but as he wrote the script further, it became more of an outright comedy. The film is heavily based on the Tamil films Sabaash Meena (1958) and Bommalattam (1968), while borrowing scenes from the Hindi film Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Vijay was initially offered the lead role, before Karthik was cast. Roja and Ravali were the initial choices for the lead female role, before Rambha was signed on; Roja declined due to scheduling conflicts with Parambarai and Tamizh Selvan (both 1996).