Kanden Kadhalai

Kanden Kadhalai

Year: 2009

Runtime: 144 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: R. Kannan

Romance

When a melancholy Sakthivel meets the lively Anjali on a train, her optimism sparks a shift in his outlook. Though he finds himself drawn to her, he puts her wishes first, promising to reunite her with the lover she longs for, and in doing so discovers renewed hope for his own life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Kanden Kadhalai yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Kanden Kadhalai (2009) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Kanden Kadhalai (2009), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Shakthi, who has recently become the managing director of the Rajasekhar group of companies after his father’s passing, finds himself overwhelmed by a series of personal and professional hardships. He has been suffering from repeated setbacks in his business ventures, which have drained his confidence and left him feeling deeply dejected. To add to his troubles, his girlfriend, Anita, unexpectedly marries another man, leaving him emotionally devastated. Meanwhile, his estranged mother, who had eloped when he was just 13, is now suing him for his business shares, adding a layer of familial conflict to his struggles.

Feeling at his lowest, Shakthi one day decides to leave everything behind — his office, his problems — and boards a train without knowing where it is headed. On this journey, he encounters Anjali, a lively and talkative young woman Tamannaah Bhatia, who is returning to her hometown Theni after completing her studies. Anjali’s spirited personality clashes with Shakthi’s more reserved demeanor, and her constant chatter begins to irritate him. However, her presence unwittingly prevents Shakthi from taking a drastic step — jumping off the moving train to end his life.

During their conversation, Anjali reveals her love for Gautham and her plans to elope because her family is very orthodox and traditional, which causes her to feel stifled. As night falls, Anjali notices Shakthi missing from the train, and upon finding him sitting on a station platform, she gets down to bring him back. Their efforts to catch the next train fail, leading them to stay overnight in a modest lodge. Throughout their time together, a genuine friendship begins to grow between the two, with Shakthi admiring Anjali’s exuberant spirit and free-spirited attitude.

In their conversations, Shakthi opens up about his personal problems, which Anjali urges him to forget and to focus on living happily. She also shares her opinion that there is nothing wrong if his mother chooses to remarry at her age. Her words make Shakthi reflect on his own misconceptions, and he begins to realize that he had been harsh and unfair to his family. Once in Theni, Anjali’s relatives warmly welcome Shakthi, and he is treated with kindness and affection.

However, conflicts emerge as Anjali’s wedding is being arranged with her relative, Mokkarasu, a union she strongly resists. Determined to be with Gautham, she plans to run away from herhome and head to Ooty to meet him. Shakthi, having developed feelings for Anjali but reluctant to confess, agrees to accompany her until they reach Ooty. Their journey together leads to misunderstandings; her family mistakenly believes she has eloped with Shakthi, and with Gautham’s advice, she finally leaves Ooty, reluctantly bidding farewell to Shakthi, who is torn between his feelings for her and his desire to return to his own life and efforts to revive his struggling businesses.

Back in Chennai, Shakthi applies the newfound positivity and energy he gained from his time with Anjali. He begins to implement improvements in his company, successfully launching a new telecommunication product that garners public attention. Over time, he also accepts his mother’s decision to remarry, making her the Chairwoman of his companies and mending their relationship. His personal growth translates into economic success, reflected in the soaring performance of his company’s shares, and he is seen confidently discussing future plans in a prominent advertisement.

Months later, concerns arise when Anjali’s parents, Ramana, visit Chennai and inquire about her. Shakthi learns that Anjali has lost contact with her family for about ten months, prompting him to directly search for her in Ooty. Upon meeting her, he discovers that she works at a local school, still feeling conflicted about her feelings. Despite her initial resistance, Shakthi convinces Anjali to return to Theni with him, but she hesitates, revealing her disappointment with Gautham’s focus on his business over their relationship.

Gautham, showing genuine remorse, later apologizes to Anjali. Ultimately, she agrees to return with Shakthi, and together they head back to her home. Unexpectedly, her family has organized a grand welcome, assuming that she and Shakthi are married, and Gautham is mistaken for Shakthi’s friend accompanying him. Under pressure from her relatives and Gautham’s insistence, Anjali cannot immediately confess her true feelings, which makes her realize she loves Shakthi more than she thought. Heart pounding, she rushes to the railway station to find Shakthi. In a heartfelt moment, she openly declares her love, and Shakthi reciprocates, leading to their union.

In the end, their love conquers misunderstandings and societal expectations, as they come together in a happy, shared future.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Kanden Kadhalai

Don't stop at just watching — explore Kanden Kadhalai in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Kanden Kadhalai is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Kanden Kadhalai Timeline

Track the full timeline of Kanden Kadhalai with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Kanden Kadhalai Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kanden Kadhalai

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Kanden Kadhalai. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kanden Kadhalai

Kanden Kadhalai Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Kanden Kadhalai that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Kanden Kadhalai Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Kanden Kadhalai

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kanden Kadhalai: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Kanden Kadhalai

Similar Movies to Kanden Kadhalai

Discover movies like Kanden Kadhalai that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.