Devathaiyai Kanden (Eng: I Saw an Angel) is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language film starring Dhanush and Sridevi Vijaykumar. The film borrows its name from a hit song from another Dhanush-starrer Kadhal Kondein. The movie went on to become a moderate success. Devathaiyai Kanden was remade in Kannada as Jaaji Mallige.
Babu (Dhanush) is a struggling tea-vendor who makes a living out of selling milk tea, carrying the business on his bicycle. He falls in love with a rich college girl Uma (Sridevi Vijaykumar). Gradually, Uma also reciprocates Babu’s feelings for his good nature and things go smoothly for a while.
Uma’s parents find her a wealthy groom who is well educated. Uma is in a dilemma on whom to choose as her life partner. She thinks of her future if she chooses the impoverished Babu where she visualizes herself giving birth to a child in a government hospital, her husband unable to raise required money for her medical expenses and overall a very difficult life; in contrast to a life where she is pampered by everyone, her every need taken care of almost instantly if she chooses to marry the groom selected by her parents.
While Babu is on a religious trip to Sabarimala, the girl decides to marry the groom Bala (Kunal) so that she can continue to lead a comfortable life. Babu is devastated when he learns of this and heartbroken when Uma goes to the extent of shouting at him. Hence it goes to the extent of Babu accusing her parents for changing her mind.
In a unique way, Babu files a case against Uma for not holding the promise made to him of sharing a life together for a good 50 years. The case soon gathers momentum and has the public discussing it everywhere. As the case progresses, several sacrifices made by Babu for the sake of Uma come into light through revelations made by people known to him and by his close friends. Uma has a change of heart and on the final day of the hearing, decides to re-unite with Babu.
Later when Uma offers a rose to Babu, he refuses to accept her, saying that the case was filed not to win her back, but to teach a lesson to her and every girl with an attitude identical. He justifies further by saying that yesterday she hated him because of his status but today she loves him and tomorrow she may again find him unattractive. Feeling light at heart, he leaves the court complex much to the surprise of the visibly embarrassed Uma. He also says that as he did not know English, she has left him. So, he tells a last word to her in his known English, “Goodbye”.
Directed by Boopathy Pandian
Produced by M. A. Kajamaideen & K. Aayisha
Written by Boopathy Pandian
Starring Dhanush, Sridevi Vijaykumar, Kunal, Karunas, Sathyan, Mayilsamy, Nassar, Thalaivasal Vijay
Music by Deva
Cinematography M. V. Panneerselvam & Prasad Murella
Production Roja Combines
Release date 14 January 2005
Running time 156 Mins
Country India
Language Tamil
Visitor Rating: 1 Stars