Rating: 
The review of any movie, I believe, is purely subjective. It's not a black and white issue. There is definitely a gray area but even as that is true, one can get a feel for the movie by reading the review for it. Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen is a movie starring Karthik in the lead along with Roja. Ajit Kumar is also a member of the cast but he plays almost a cameo role. Though the character he played in the movie plays an important role in the story line, his presence on the silver screen is very minimal. All the actors perform their part well. None of the actors were outstanding in their depiction of their characters. This, I believe, is because of the actual personalities of the characters themselves. The story places the characters in situations where they behave predictably or in some cases where they are not true to themselves. By this, I mean, one gets the feeling that the behavior is uncalled for. Other than that minor snitch, the movie is quite entertaining.
The basic story line of the movie revolves around Karthik, Roja and
Ajith Kumar. When one hears of a cast of one heroine and two heroes, one instantly
determines that it has to do with a love triangle. In this case however there is a
love triangle formed but there is a definite twist to it. Karthik and his friend are
thieves. That is the only way they know to live. In one of their many hits
(they aren't big time thieves) they are hired to steal a statue of a Pillayar from the
temple at night. While they are in the act of leaving the temple with the stolen good,
they accidentally ring the bell within the temple and alas the villagers chase them.
For refuge from the villagers they run and hide in none other than
Roja's house. A bizarre arrangement is made between Karthik
and Roja who catches him red handed in the house. She locks Karthik and his friend up in
the Kitchen for 3 days (house arrest). Within the three days they both note the good
habits of the other. At the end of the three days (release day) Roja gives Karthik
some meaningful advice before he leaves. This advice eventually reforms Karthik.
He later learns about the many conflicts in Roja's life and when she is kicked out
of the house where she resides, he decides to help her. He slaves for her benefit
night and day and he reforms every habit that she hates. He does this looking for no
pay back. He does this for her benefit even though he knows that she is already in
love with Ajith Kumar. Ajith Kumar, though he likes Roja, tells her, when her
feelings were revealed to him, that he needs 3 months time to decide if she has all the
right qualities in a wife before he agrees to marry her. The rest of the movie
revolves around these three characters. A love triangle in which the hero holds back
revealing his love from the heroine, so she would be happy. Usually there is
competition between the two heroes for the heroine but in this movie there is a different
twist to it.
Basically, the movie was enjoyable. My favorite line in the movie is "kaithatti paratinavargal kudda maranthidalaam aanaa kaikoduthavargalai marakakudaathu'. Translated in English it simply means that one can even forget those who shook their hands and congratulated them but one should never forget those who lent them a hand (helped them).
Original Photograph (Unnidathil Ennai
Koduthen): Thanks to Kumudam
Photograph scanned & reworked by:
Sandya