Kadhal Kottai 1996

Kamali, a graduate, lives with her sister Malliga and brother-in-law Shekar in Kotagiri, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, and is searching for a job.

While visiting Madras, her handbag is stolen and she fears she would lose her academic credentials. Suriya, an orphaned, carefree man who works in Jaipur, Rajasthan, finds the purse and sends it back to her, and a love begins to bloom through letters. They agree to love each other without meeting, as she sews and sends a gift pack containing a lotus embroidered woollen sweater for him to wear when they meet for real.

Suriya is soon transferred to Madras and stays with his new colleague Siva. Kamali too comes to Madras to find a job and stays with her friend Indhu. Neya, Suriya’s new boss, is immediately smitten by him, but his love remains steadfast for Kamali. In their encounters, they run into each other without knowing who the other is, leading to negative perceptions and misunderstandings. Kamali refuses a job offer that would move her to Singapore, making it difficult for her to find Suriya.

Unable to withstand the advances of Neya, Suriya quits his job and finds shelter with his friend Paneer, an auto rickshaw driver, who arranges for him to drive for a living. Jeeva, a wealthy businessman, expresses his interest in Kamali to Shekar, but Kamali declines the idea of marrying him and reaffirms her unflinching love for Suriya, even allowing him to meet her one last time. Shekar, who initially tries to dissuade Kamali, finally yields and agrees to let her go to Madras.

Upon arriving in Madras, which is drenched by severe monsoons, Kamali discovers that Jensi and the hostel mates are not in town. She boards Suriya’s auto rickshaw, not realizing it is him, and searches for him all day. The day culminates with both of them finding shelter at his place, where he dons the sweater Kamali had gifted. As Kamali plans to head home, Suriya helps her board the Nilgiri Express. As the train departs, Suriya removes his shirt after tea spills on it, and Kamali notices the sweater again, prompting her to deboard. The lovers finally unite, with Paneer and Jensi looking on and rejoicing.