Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal
Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Vignesh Shivan.[1][2] The film was produced by Lalit Kumar under the banners of Seven Screen Studio and Rowdy Pictures, with cinematography by S. R. Kathir and Vijay Kartik Kannan, and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.[2] It stars Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role, alongside Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the female leads, supported by actors including Prabhu and M. S. Bhaskar.[1] The soundtrack was composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his third collaboration with Shivan.[3] The story revolves around Rambo, an unlucky man who leads a double life as a cab driver by day and a bouncer by night, whose life becomes complicated when he falls in love with two women—Kanmani, a free-spirited surfer, and Khatija, a conservative Muslim woman—with contrasting personalities.[4][2] As both women develop feelings for him simultaneously, Rambo faces a dilemma in navigating his emotions and relationships, leading to a series of comedic and romantic entanglements.[1] The film explores themes of polyamory and love triangles in a light-hearted, escapist manner.[5] Released theatrically on 28 April 2022, coinciding with Samantha Ruth Prabhu's birthday, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the lead performances—particularly Sethupathi's comic timing and the chemistry between the trio—but criticized the predictable plot, uneven pacing, and some outdated tropes.[6][7] The music album, featuring seven tracks including the popular title song "Rendu Kaadhal," was well-received and contributed significantly to the film's promotion.[3] It later became available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar.[8]Synopsis
Plot
Rambo, whose full name is Ranjankudi Anbarasu Murugesa Boopathy Ohondhiran, is born into a family plagued by a perceived curse of bad luck, where marriages lead to death. On the day of his birth, his father dies suddenly, and his mother suffers a paralytic attack, causing the villagers to shun him as a harbinger of misfortune.[9][10] Growing up isolated, Rambo relocates to Chennai to protect his ailing mother from further harm, adopting a dual life as a cab driver by day and a pub bouncer by night to maintain emotional distance from others.[11][12] The story unfolds through flashbacks framed by a reality television show hosted by Prabhu titled Real Or Reel, where he interviews two women, Kanmani Ganguly and Khatija Begum, both claiming to love the same man—Rambo—in a bid to win a jackpot prize.[13] Rambo first encounters Khatija, a fitness enthusiast and modern woman from an affluent background seeking independence, at the pub where he works; he rescues her from an abusive relationship, leading to a deep romantic bond marked by shared adventures and her bold personality.[14][11] Concurrently, during his cab rides, he meets Kanmani, a free-spirited saleswoman responsibly supporting her younger siblings after family hardships, and their connection grows through everyday interactions and mutual respect, culminating in her proposing marriage to him.[12][10] Overwhelmed by his feelings and unwilling to choose between them, Rambo accepts proposals from both women on the same day, concealing the dual relationships while navigating their contrasting worlds—Kanmani's preference for traditional values and Khatija's vibrant, contemporary lifestyle.[14][12] Tensions escalate when Kanmani and Khatija accidentally discover each other's existence during a chance meeting at a temple, where they confront Rambo about his deception, leading to intense rivalries and emotional confrontations as they vie for his affection.[9][14] With the help of his friend Prabhu, Rambo attempts to maintain the ruse by feigning a memory disorder on the reality show, but the truth unravels further, forcing the trio into an unconventional cohabitation arrangement where the women bond over their shared predicament while pressuring Rambo to decide.[13] Conflicts intensify with external challenges, including family interferences and Rambo's persistent bad luck manifesting in comedic mishaps, highlighting themes of love, jealousy, and acceptance in a polyamorous dynamic.[10][15] The narrative builds to a climax involving a return to Rambo's village for a temple ritual aimed at breaking the family curse, where Kanmani and Khatija's unwavering support leads to his mother's miraculous recovery, symbolizing the lifting of the bad luck through genuine emotional connections.[9] In a selfless act, the women decide to part ways with Rambo to ensure his happiness and freedom from the curse's shadow, allowing him to embrace a normal life, though the ending hints at potential new romantic possibilities amid the comedic resolution of their entangled lives.[14][11]Cast
Vijay Sethupathi leads the cast as Ranjankudi Anbarasu Murugesa Boopathy Ohondhiran, affectionately known as Rambo, a central figure in the film's romantic narrative.[16] Nayanthara plays Kanmani Ganguly, one of Rambo's love interests.[16] Samantha Ruth Prabhu portrays Khatija Begum, the other woman in Rambo's life.[16] The supporting cast includes veteran actor Prabhu as the host of the reality show Real Or Reel and Rambo's friend.[3] Former cricketer S. Sreesanth appears as Mohammed Mobi, a close friend of Rambo.[16] Child actor Master Bhargav Sundar makes his film debut as Bhargav Ganguly, Kanmani's younger brother, marking an inclusive casting choice for a performer with Down syndrome.[17][16] Additional notable supporting roles are filled by Redin Kingsley, Munishkanth, Kala Master as Idhayakala, Lollu Sabha Maaran, and Shihan Hussaini.[6][16]| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Sethupathi | Ranjankudi Anbarasu Murugesa Boopathy Ohondhiran (Rambo) | Lead role |
| Nayanthara | Kanmani Ganguly | Lead role |
| Samantha Ruth Prabhu | Khatija Begum | Lead role |
| Prabhu | Host of Real Or Reel and Rambo's friend | Supporting |
| S. Sreesanth | Mohammed Mobi | Rambo's friend |
| Master Bhargav Sundar | Bhargav Ganguly | Kanmani's brother; debut role with Down syndrome |
| Redin Kingsley | (Unspecified supporting) | Comedic support |
| Munishkanth | (Unspecified supporting) | Supporting |
| Kala Master | Idhayakala | Supporting |
| Lollu Sabha Maaran | (Unspecified supporting) | Supporting |
Production
Development
In 2016, director Vignesh Shivan announced his next project following the success of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, a romantic comedy titled Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, starring Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, and Trisha in the lead roles.[18] The project stalled shortly after due to scheduling conflicts, allowing Shivan to pursue other ventures. The screenplay development spanned approximately three years, with Shivan completing the writing after multiple iterations to emphasize comedic elements and relatable family interactions.[19] Early discussions included input from lead actor Vijay Sethupathi on character nuances to ensure the script's authenticity. The project was revived and officially re-announced on February 14, 2020, coinciding with Valentine's Day, with the title motion poster unveiling the cast including Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu alongside Sethupathi.[20] Production was backed by Shivan's Rowdy Pictures and co-produced by S. S. Lalit Kumar under Seven Screen Studio.[21] However, the COVID-19 pandemic from early 2020 caused significant delays, postponing pre-production and initial shooting plans amid lockdowns across India.[22] The film's budget was estimated at around ₹15–40 crore, reflecting the scale of its ensemble cast and post-pandemic production challenges.[23][24] Despite the disruptions, the team proceeded with pre-production meetings in late 2020, finalizing script revisions to heighten humorous sequences and family-oriented subplots for broader appeal, ultimately deciding to commence principal photography during the ongoing lockdowns with strict safety protocols.[25]Casting
The casting process for Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal began with director Vignesh Shivan envisioning the project as a triangular romantic comedy, initially planning to pair Nayanthara with Trisha Krishnan as the leading ladies. However, that version failed to materialize, leading to a revival with Vijay Sethupathi in the central role.[26] In February 2020, Shivan officially announced the cast, confirming Vijay Sethupathi as the protagonist and introducing Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the two love interests, selected for their contrasting personas that would drive the film's dynamic. The choice of heroines was highlighted as a surprise element in the announcement.[21][7] Samantha joined the project after wrapping up her Telugu film commitments, making her on-set debut with the team in Hyderabad in December 2020.[27] For supporting roles, veteran actor Prabhu was chosen for the father's part, leveraging his extensive experience in family-oriented dramas to add emotional depth. Former cricketer S. Sreesanth made his acting debut in Tamil cinema with this film, announced in December 2021, playing a key supporting character opposite Samantha. The casting also emphasized inclusivity, with child actor Bhargav Sundar, who has Down syndrome, selected for a sibling role to Kanmani, promoting diverse representation without stereotypical portrayals.[28][17][29] The assembly of the ensemble faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the originally scheduled shoot, complicating negotiations and availability amid lockdowns. Nayanthara's participation was secured prior to her 2022 marriage to Shivan, allowing her to prioritize the film as one of her key commitments before the wedding.[25][30] Initial rumors had speculated Trisha's involvement as one of the female leads, stemming from the earlier unmaterialized version of the script, but these were dispelled with the official 2020 confirmation of Samantha. The eventual cast chemistry prompted minor script adjustments during pre-production to enhance the romantic interplay.[26]Filming
Principal photography for Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal commenced on 10 December 2020 in Chennai, initially without the female leads Nayanthara and Samantha Ruth Prabhu due to scheduling adjustments. The shoot progressed sporadically across multiple schedules amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with principal filming taking place in Chennai, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, and Mysore. Key portions included urban sequences in Chennai capturing the protagonist's cab-driving life, coastal and cultural shots in Pondicherry featuring temple rituals and French-inspired lanes, and family-oriented setups in Mysore during the final schedule in December 2021. Filming wrapped by late March 2022 after over a year of intermittent production.[31][32][33] Cinematography was handled jointly by S. R. Kathir and Vijay Kartik Kannan to accommodate the director's vision for vibrant, glossy rom-com aesthetics, with Kannan focusing on interior club sequences and Kathir on exteriors like the pivotal bus stop confrontation and rain-drenched choco-bar moment. The editing was overseen by A. Sreekar Prasad, ensuring a fluid pace for the comedic elements. Notable technical highlights included a single-take confrontation scene with dynamic camera movement and the colourful 'Rendu Kaadhal' dance number emphasizing glitters and bright palettes.[34][33] The production faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 lockdown, postponing the planned August 2020 start to December, and required adherence to safety protocols such as regular testing and limited crew bubbles during shoots, extending the overall timeline by several months. Post-production, including dubbing, began in early December 2021 and concluded in time for the film's theatrical release on 28 April 2022, with minimal visual effects integrated for comedic enhancements.[25][35][36][37]Music
Composition
Anirudh Ravichander composed the background score for Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, marking his third collaboration with director Vignesh Shivan following their work on Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015) and Thaana Serndha Koottam (2018). Ravichander's selection aligned with the film's energetic romantic comedy tone, drawing on his reputation for vibrant, youth-oriented soundscapes that amplify lighthearted narratives.[38] The compositional approach emphasized thematic depth, incorporating upbeat tracks to highlight romantic sequences and more introspective cues to underscore the family's curse motif central to the story. Ravichander employed classical music elements to bolster the romantic layers, while using leitmotifs—recurring musical phrases—to tie specific melodies to characters and emotional arcs, adapting song motifs into varied background variations for narrative cohesion. This blended electronic influences with diverse genres, creating a dynamic score that supported the film's dual-love premise without overpowering the dialogue-driven humor.[39] Recording sessions occurred primarily in Chennai studios, including Ravichander's own Albuquerque Records, commencing in mid-2021 amid ongoing post-production. Singers such as Shakthisree Gopalan contributed vocals during this period, reflecting the score's integration of live performances for its folk-infused and rhythmic sections. To ensure cultural resonance in the Tamil setting, the score featured prominent regional instruments like the nadaswaram, lending an authentic, festive texture to key emotional and celebratory moments.[40][9] Ravichander collaborated closely with Vignesh Shivan to weave lyrical themes from the songs into the background score, ensuring seamless transitions that reinforced the script's whimsical exploration of love and relationships. Filming delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic complicated synchronization efforts, as principal photography wrapped only in late 2021, requiring adjustments to align the music with final visuals; the mixing process concluded in early 2022 ahead of the film's April release. The resulting score, clocking around 20 minutes, bolsters the comedic timing through its punchy rhythms and subtle swells.[38][32]Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal features seven tracks composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with all lyrics penned by Vignesh Shivan. The original album was released by Sony Music Entertainment India on 28 April 2022, totaling 23:08 minutes in duration. A Deluxe Edition, expanding to nine tracks and 28 minutes, was released on 8 July 2025, including additional content such as remixes and unreleased pieces.[41][42] The songs blend romantic melodies, energetic beats, and folk elements, contributing to the film's lighthearted tone, and achieved notable streaming success on platforms like Spotify, where the tracks collectively surpassed 200 million streams as of November 2025.[43]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Rendu Kaadhal" | Anirudh Ravichander, Shakthisree Gopalan, Aishwarya Suresh Bindra | 4:20 |
| 2 | "Two Two Two" | Anirudh Ravichander, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sanjana Kalmanje | 3:26 |
| 3 | "Naan Pizhai" | Ravi G, Shashaa Tirupati | 3:13 |
| 4 | "Dippam Dappam" | Anthony Daasan | 3:29 |
| 5 | "Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal" | Anirudh Ravichander, Santhosh Narayanan | 3:55 |
| 6 | "Azha Thonudhe" | Anirudh Ravichander, Pradeep Kumar | 2:58 |
| 7 | "Kanne Kanmaniyae" | Anirudh Ravichander | 2:17 |