Harichandra (1998 film)

Harichandra is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by Cheyyar Ravi. The film stars Karthik and Meena, while Priya Raman, Chinni Jayanth, Vivek, Delhi Ganesh, and Sathyapriya play supporting roles. It was released on 15 May 1998. The film was remade in Telugu as Harischandra (1999).

Plot
Harichandra, an ad filmmaker, has a habit of telling spontaneous lies for the Good for men around him, but have no intent to cheat. Only his three friends knows this. Hari gained good name in the society.

Hari meets a school principal Nandhini in a shooting spot, who happen to be a relative of his friend. Later, he falls in love with her; he hides his true nature and lies to impress her.

Unfortunately for him, Nandhini was clever enough to identify all his lies, but no matter what, they still reunite again after every quarrel and fight. Quarrels and fights lasted until their wedding moment.

Eventually at the end, everyone knew that even though Hari lies and cheats people, he is still a good human being. Thus, Hari and Nandhini got married and lived happily.

Production
The film's title is an ironic reference to Harishchandra, a legendary king known for being truthful. Two of the songs were shot at Switzerland.

Soundtrack
Music is composed by a band named Agosh, consisting of three artists R. Anand, Gopal Rao and Shaleen.

Reception
D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu praised Ravi's direction and said Karthik, "with his inimitable style of halting delivery, makes fine use of the part, his evasive tactics and lies being rich like his costume". Ji of Kalki praised Karthik's performance, climax humour, songs but panned the background score and felt the director who tried to surprise by hinting towards a different end falls into routine logicless pit. K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times praised Karthik's performance, Ravi's direction, the cinematography and art direction.