{{Short description|2001 film by J. Suresh}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | image = Ennavale Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical poster | director = J. Suresh | writer = J. Suresh | producer = S. Naga Ashok Kumar<br />N. V. Prasad | starring = R. Madhavan<br />Sneha | cinematography = Ashok Rajan | editing = V. Jaishankar | music = S. A. Rajkumar | studio = Sri Saideva Productions | released = {{film date|df=y|2000|12|21}} | country = India | language = Tamil }} '''''Ennavalle''''' ({{translation|Dear Girl}}) is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language romance film directed by J. Suresh which stars R. Madhavan in the lead role. Sneha made her Tamil debut through this film. The film also featured Manivannan, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Charle in pivotal roles, while music was composed by S. A. Rajkumar. The film was released on 21 December 2000 and failed at the box office. Its title is derived from a song from ''Kaadhalan'' (1994).<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2025 |title=Lyricist Vairamuthu criticises Tamil filmmakers for using his verses as film titles without permission |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/lyricist-vairamuthu-criticises-tamil-filmmakers-for-using-his-verses-as-film-titles-without-permission/article69673753.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250609093054/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/lyricist-vairamuthu-criticises-tamil-filmmakers-for-using-his-verses-as-film-titles-without-permission/article69673753.ece |archive-date=9 June 2025 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
== Plot == {{More plot|date=February 2024}} James Vasanthan and his three friends Ganeshan, Charles, and Mohan, have a music troupe that sings at weddings. They are tenants of Subramani whose daughter Lakshmi shares a good rapport with the youths, helping them in their time of need. Her encouragement puts a new zeal in James, who soon gains recognition as a singer. However, this does not bring any change in the group's lifestyle, for J. Suresh still shows them as strugglers. James finally proposes to Lakshmi who rejects him, as she has her past to reckon with. She is a divorcee, her husband having abandoned her soon after marriage for his girlfriend. When Lakshmi's friend and neighbor Seetha puts some sense into her, she decides to make amends. But misunderstandings pile up between the lovers – the situations are all forced here – until J. Suresh leads the story to a desired happy ending.
== Cast == {{cast listing| *R. Madhavan as James Vasanthan *Sneha as Lakshmi *Manivannan as Subramani *Charle as Ganeshan *Vaiyapuri as Charles *Venu Madhav as Mohan *Anand as Anand *Thalaivasal Vijay as Neighbour *Venu Arvind as Kumar *Kalairani as Lakshmi's mother *S. N. Lakshmi as Lakshmi's grandmother *Aswini as Seetha *Pandu as First House Owner *K. R. Vatsala *Kathadi Ramamurthy *Oru Viral Krishna Rao *Crane Manohar *Scissor Manohar *LIC Narasimhan *A. V. Ramanan *Pasi Sathya *Jothi }}
== Production == The director J. Suresh initially approached Mani Ratnam to produce the film, but Ratnam refused the script. He however introduced Suresh to R. Madhavan, who was signed on to play the lead role.<ref name="Ennavale">{{Cite web |title=Ennavale |url=http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/ennavale.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324015044/http://cinematoday2.itgo.com/ennavale.htm |archive-date=24 March 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Cinematoday2.itgo.com}}</ref> The film was eventually produced by Sri Sai Deva Productions, a noted Telugu film studio, making their first Tamil film venture. Tips Industries also entered the Tamil film industry as the soundtrack producers for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How it all began? |url=http://www.rmadhavan.com/filmography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010605223722/http://www.rmadhavan.com/filmography.html |archive-date=5 June 2001 |access-date=13 June 2023 |website=rmadhavan.com}}</ref>
The film was tentatively titled ''Sugham'', whilst actress Sneha made her debut with the film after calling off schedules for her film, ''Virumbugiren''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2000 |title=Masala! |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/07072000/news01.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010515042037/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/07072000/news01.shtml |archive-date=15 May 2001 |access-date=11 December 2020 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2000 |title=Slap in the face for Kamal |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/18tt.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026011238/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/18tt.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Telugu comedian Venu Madhav also made his debut in Tamil films with the project. The film was shot across locations in Kerala, Chennai, Ooty, Hyderabad and Gopichettipalayam and the filming was completed within 18 days.<ref name="Ennavale" />
== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, with lyrics by Vairamuthu and was released under the Tips label in their Tamil debut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2000 |title=Ennavale |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/ennavale/-6XrdB0LOTU_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026110211/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/ennavale/-6XrdB0LOTU_ |archive-date=26 October 2023 |access-date=26 October 2023 |website=JioSaavn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ennavalle.com/trivia.htm|title=Trivia|website=ennavalle.com|archive-date=8 July 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010708011404/http://www.ennavalle.com/trivia.htm|access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref> Venky of ''Chennai Online'' wrote, "Madhavan's first movie in Tamil 'Alai Payuthe' and third, 'Minnale' have good songs but unfortunately his second, 'Ennavale', was a big letdown".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venky |title=Music review of 'Ennavale' |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/musicreviews/ennavale.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024013819/http://www.chennaionline.com/musicreviews/ennavale.asp |archive-date=24 October 2004 |access-date=26 October 2023 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="width:50%;" |- ! Song title !! Singers |- | "Adi Kadhal Enbathu" || Hariharan |- | "Chinna Chinna Sugangal" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Krishnaraj |- | "Kothu Kottai" || Sukhwinder Singh |- | "Ovvoru Padalilum" || P. Unnikrishnan |- | "Ra Ra Rajakumara" || Rajesh Krishnan, Sujatha Mohan |- | "Ovvoru Padalilum" (sad) || P. Unnikrishnan |}
== Release and reception == ''Ennavalle'' was released on 21 December 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=என்னவளே / Ennavale (2000) |url=https://screen4screen.com/movies/ennavale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221143723/https://screen4screen.com/movies/ennavale |archive-date=21 December 2023 |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=Screen 4 Screen}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote, "A routine storyline with the first half reminding one of films like 'Puthu Vasantham' and the twists and turns already twisted many a time in quite a few recent films, 'Ennavale' gives a sense of déjà vu throughout. There is nothing by way of novelty in script or presentation."<ref name="co">{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |title=Film: Ennavale |url=http://archives.chennaionline.com/moviereviews/tammov88.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511074426/http://archives.chennaionline.com/moviereviews/tammov88.asp |archive-date=11 May 2010 |access-date=13 May 2011 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''The Hindu'' critic revealed that the "reeks of melodrama bogs down even a natural performer like Madhavan".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=29 December 2000 |title=Film Review:Ennavale |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/12/29/stories/09290224.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105094331/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2000/12/29/stories/09290224.htm |archive-date=5 November 2002 |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> Visual Dasan of ''Kalki'' wrote if you are looking for solace other than the fact that you can watch it without cringing even if you go with your family, you can only say Madhavan and Sneha's performance.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=14 January 2001 |title=என்னவளே |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2001-01-14/page/n133/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240223054514/https://archive.org/details/kalki2001-01-14/page/n133/mode/2up |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=19 July 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=132 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The film subsequently did not perform well at the box office.<ref name="flop">{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=27 January 2001 |title=On the floors |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/27tamil.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102101302/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/27tamil.htm |archive-date=2 November 2012 |access-date=16 February 2016 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}} *{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
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Category:2000 films Category:2000 Indian films Category:2001 romance films Category:2001 Tamil-language films Category:Films directed by J. Suresh Category:Films scored by S. A. Rajkumar Category:Indian romance films Category:Tamil-language Indian films Category:Tamil-language romance films