I feel that the use of the sentence is meant to communicate directness.

Tamilians are typically much more reserved about their emotions than Westerners. Westerners have this short and direct “I love you” phrase that they use. It is a very bold, direct phrase with no turning back.

There are ways in Tamil of saying “I love you”, but they are not as direct. They are a little more formal, or a little more roundabout, or matter-of-fact. Their tone is more subdued than such a direct, heart-on-sleeves phrase like “I love you”.

I think this is why, in this movie, Mani Ratnam chose the English “i love you” instead of saying it in Tamil. Also, Shakti and Karthik are young college students - and thus much more likely to use “hip” phrases like that.

I think it’s fine in Alaipayuthey, but I really don’t like how it’s used in so many other youth films. It’s like we feel the need to imitate the relationships in Western movies almost exactly…

thanks for explaining.

>>>if you remember, there is this scene where Karthik asks her to say ‘I love you’ & she refuses to.

Oh, how could i forget that important scene. So ‘I love you’ in the hospital makes a lot
of sense and connects nicely with a much earlier part of the film and of their lives.

I have no idea why, but almost all Indian filmmakers seem to be fascinated with the English words ‘I love you’ & most films have this dialogue in English. In the case of Alaipayuthey, Shakti says it in English since Karthik would have earlier said that in English. Also, if you remember, there is this scene where Karthik asks her to say ‘I love you’ & she refuses to.

I just wondered one thing: In the very last scene, when Shakti wakes up, Karthik says something in Tamil and she replies in English: “I love you.” He speaks more in Tamil and she replies in English: “I love you”, about four times.

Why does she speak *English* here? They are both native Tamil speakers in this story.

I notice in other Indian movies too the Hinglish or here “Taminglish” (?). But i find it most special in this crucial moment to speak English instead of Tamil. Would you use English in that situation or is there some kind of rule when English instead of the local language is to be expected in India between to speakers of the same native language?

Would it be “too serious, too heavy” to say “I love you” in Tamil? Or the other way round, does it get more stress when spoken in English?

I am German, saw “Alaipayuthey” in Tamil with English subtitles, and always wonder on the use of English within Hindi or Tamil movies and very specially in the above mentioned scene.

If you do post an explanation, i’d be very thankful if you send me a reminder by e-mail too so that i remember to check back to this certain blog entry. Thanks a lot !

Could you please discuss on various aspects of Alaipayuthey vs Saathiya?
Eagerly awaiting a positive response from you:)

Thank You!
Lakshme