Kondattam

Kondattam is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film stars Arjun and Simran. It was released on 6 February 1998.

Plot
Raja is a rich fun-loving man, whose boat ride with his friends turns tragic after his friends die in an accident. Raja is heart-broken after his fiancée Lalitha blames him for his friends' deaths. Feeling remorse for his actions, Raja writes off his properties to the families of his deceased friends. He gets a call that Anand's wife died after giving birth to a baby boy.

Raja gives the baby to Anand's family who wants him to stay in their home for some time. Except the older couple, other members initially do not like his presence but he wins their love and affection. Raja discovers that someone is attempting to kill the child. He then gets himself into a situation where he can continue staying in the house and detect the mystery.

Lalitha who is engaged to be married comes to stay in the same home and still hates Raja. During the naming ceremony of the baby, the family learns that Raja killed Anand. Arjun's servant reveals that Anand's property will be inherited by the baby. While getting thrashed by their car driver Pazhani, Raja who accidentally sees Pazhani's ring realises he was the one who attempted to kill the baby.

Pazhani was in love with Purushothaman's daughter and had an eye on the property, after coming to know that child is the heir of the property he tried to kill it. In the end, Raja marries Lalitha and becomes a part of the huge family.

Production
The film was developed with the working title of Uthama Puthiran, before the team changed title. Sivaji Ganesan was initially considered to play the patriarchal head of the family, though his unavailability meant that Gemini Ganesan was selected instead. Since Ravikumar could not shoot the film in Chennai due to the 1997 FEFSI strike, he shifted the crew to Kerala and shot there but there also he faced problems while he planned to shoot at Mauritius island which did not happen; however the opposite teams who were part of strike helped the crew to shoot.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Maragatha Mani, with lyrics by Kalidasan. The song "Mai Vizhi Un Imaigalile" is based on "Escape" by the American band The Ventures.

Release and reception
The film was initially announced to be released in Diwali season of 1997 but got delayed, and was released on 6 February 1998. D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote that Ravikumar "weaves an interesting and entertaining tale of family sentiments and friendship of the unusual variety, to some extent Quixotic too, in Sailakshmi Moviemakers' [Kondattam]." He added, "This film is bound to boost the stock of Arjun who shows maturity in taking on a part that requires emotional display which he does without sweating much and the fire in his action scenes have not diminished". K. N. Vijiyan wrote for New Straits Times, "It is not a bad production but not what you would expect from Ravikumar. The fun factor is grossly missing". Ji of Kalki wrote the film's central loophole is that the family members do not seem to shower affection on each other despite a very large family that is affectionate. Ji said it is understandable that Ravikumar has tried to bring a freshness to the story and scenes.