Kadhalar Dhinam is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language romance film written and directed by Kathir. It is based on a love relationship which begins through an internet chatroom and takes a turn after the protagonist has second thoughts about the relationship after finding out his lover's true identity. The film stars newcomer Kunal and Sonali Bendre (her Tamil debut), while Nassar, Manivannan, Goundamani and Chinni Jayanth appeared in supporting roles. The film produced by A. M. Rathnam, had music composed by A. R. Rahman and cinematography by P. C. Sriram. The film was released on 9 July 1999, while a partially reshot dubbed Hindi version, Dil Hi Dil Mein was released on 21 April 2000. The film received positive reviews and was a commercial success. The film was also dubbed in Telugu as Premikula Roju.

Plot

Raja is from a very poor, illiterate family, from Tamil Nadu. People from his region consider that education is meant only for the rich. There, poor boys are made to work from age five, either at factories or farms, so that they can support their families. Raja's dad is a violent alcoholic. He spends half of the family's income on alcohol. Raja's family struggles to survive hard every day. But, Raja's mother forced his father to let Raja finish high school, without doing any other work. But he refuses to fund him, and orders him to start work as accountant for their landlord. Raja's mother begs him to move to Mumbai to start a new life. Raja heeds his mother's pleas and moves to Mumbai to attend under graduate entrance exam at Ramachandra Institute of Management Studies, the top-most premier b-school in India.