Ullathai Allitha

Plot

Raja (Karthik) is the only son of retired military officer Chandrasekhar (Jaiganesh) who raises his son very strictly. Chandrasekhar decides to get Raja married to his long time friend Viswanathan’s (Manivannan) daughter Indhu (Rambha). Raja misunderstands another girl as Indhu and decides to run away from house to escape from wedding. Shankar (Kazan Khan) is the nephew of Chandrasekhar and he plans to grab Chandrasekhar’s properties by triggering Raja to leave the house.

Raja runs away and reaches Ooty where he meets Vasu (Goundamani), who is a fraud but becomes friend with Raja. One day, Raja sees Indhu (Rambha) 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 the son of Chandrasekhar as he wears the ring now. Viswanathan brings Vasu to his home and introduces as the fiancé of Indhu. 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 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 does not like his father. Meanwhile, at Ooty, Raja tries to impress Indhu while Vasu is attracted towards Meena (Jyothi Meena) who is the personal secretary of Viswanathan. Slowly love blossoms between Indhu and Raja. Suddenly Chandrseakhar comes to Ooty to Viswanathan’s home to meet Raja. Now problem erupts as Raja is in the disguise of 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 knowing that Raja is found. He befriends Kasinathan (also Manivannan) who is the twin brother of Viswanathan but is a criminal and has just 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 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

Production

During the making of the film, there was a misunderstanding and subsequent falling out between the lead actress Rambha and the producer of the film. Vijay was initially approached for the hero role.

Soundtrack

The music was Ccmposed by Sirpy and lyrics were written by Pazhani Bharathi. As pointed out by itwofs.com, all the songs from this film have been plagiarised from various sources, including "Azhagiya Laila" which is based on "Ahla Ma Feki" by Hisham Abbas.

Release

The film which was released alongside another Karthik starrer Kizhakku Mugam (1996) was a success at box-office. Balaji wrote:" It stands out in that every aspect of it, be it the romance or the fights, has been handled with an eye on comedy and there is not a single moment of emotions or sentiments".

Legacy

The success of the film paved way for numerous comedy films. The film made Sundar C. as one of the most sought directors. Rambha gained popularity through this film and became one of the leading heroines. The film also made Manivannan as one of the famous comedians. Karthik and Goundamani became one of the famous comic pairs from the film, the pair went on to do many films. The success of the film led Sundar C. to collaborate with Karthik in subsequent projects - Mettukudi (1996), Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999) and Azhagana Naatkal (2001). Azhagana Naatkal was compared by critics with Ullathai Allitha due to its similarity in sequences and characterisations.

Sundar C. himself listed it as one of the favourite films he had directed. Vimal who acted in director's Kalakalappu (2012) recalled that he had watched this film during his schooldays. Subha J. Rao and K. Jeshi of The Hindu placed the film in league with other successful comedy films like Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964), Thillu Mullu (1981) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990).