Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (2020)
Story overview
Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Desingh Periyasamy. The story follows two clever online scammers who decide to change their dishonest ways after falling in love with two women. However, their newfound happiness is threatened when they uncover a deceitful secret that turns their lives upside down. The film blends romance, humor, and drama as it explores themes of love, redemption, and the consequences of deception.
Parent Guide
A lighthearted romantic comedy-drama with themes of deception and redemption that's appropriate for older children and teens. While generally family-friendly, the plot involving online scams and romantic complications makes it more suitable for viewers who can understand these concepts.
Content breakdown
No physical violence. Some mild peril related to characters being caught in their deceptions, but nothing intense or frightening.
No scary or disturbing content. The tone remains light and comedic throughout.
Occasional mild language typical of romantic comedies. No strong profanity or offensive terms.
Mild romantic content including kissing and affectionate moments. No nudity or explicit sexual content.
No depiction of substance use, smoking, or drinking.
Some emotional moments related to relationship conflicts and deception, but handled in a light, comedic manner. No intense emotional scenes.
Parent tips
This film is suitable for older children and teens due to its themes of deception and romantic relationships. Parents should note that while there is no explicit content, the plot revolves around online scams and dishonesty, which may require discussion about ethics and trust. The romantic elements are mild and appropriate for general audiences, but younger children might not fully grasp the complexities of the story. The runtime of 162 minutes is quite long, so consider breaking viewing into sessions for younger viewers.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What did you think about the characters pretending to be someone else online?
- How did the friends help each other in the movie?
- What was your favorite funny part?
- Why do you think the characters decided to change their ways?
- How did discovering the secret change the story?
- What would you do if you found out a friend was being dishonest?
- How does the film portray the consequences of deception in relationships?
- What ethical questions does the online scamming raise?
- How do the romantic relationships evolve throughout the film?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal' explores the duality of deception—both as a criminal tool and as emotional self-preservation. The film cleverly subverts the typical heist narrative by making the protagonists' greatest con their own emotional vulnerability. What drives the characters isn't greed, but the desperate attempt to maintain control in a world where love proves more unpredictable than any security system. The movie's real heist isn't the money—it's the characters stealing back their agency from the very emotions they tried to weaponize. This creates a fascinating tension where professional confidence clashes with romantic insecurity.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film employs a distinct visual language that mirrors its thematic duality. Warm, saturated colors dominate romantic sequences, creating an almost dreamlike quality that contrasts sharply with the cooler, more clinical tones of heist planning scenes. The camera work during cons uses precise, calculated movements that reflect the characters' control, while emotional moments feature more handheld, intimate shots. Notably, the action sequences avoid excessive stylization, grounding the film's reality and making the emotional stakes feel more authentic. The visual contrast between the polished con artist personas and their messy private lives is consistently reinforced through framing and lighting choices.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Director Desingh Periyasamy originally conceived the film as a straightforward thriller before integrating the romantic elements that became its defining feature. The lead actors—Dulquer Salmaan and Ritu Varma—reportedly spent time with real-life con artists to understand the psychology of deception. Several heist sequences were filmed at actual Chennai locations with minimal disruption, using hidden cameras to capture authentic reactions. The film's title, which translates roughly to 'When Eyes Play Tricks,' was inspired by a Tamil proverb about perception and reality. Notably, the entire second-act romantic montage was shot in a single continuous five-day schedule to maintain emotional consistency.
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Trailer
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