Being a fan is an art. As a fan, one develops unique tastes and has odd films of his star in his favourites list. Things like these are what makes one a better or a different fan than the others. I have my own list of such things too. I am not a great fan of Nayagan. I liked Virumaandi more than Heyram. And i am an Aalavandaan maniac. These traits are not very uncommon among 'Kamalians'. But what would probably totally set me apart is the fact that I don't believe Sridevi is the best lady Kamal ever romanced on screen. Tamil cinema as a whole rates the Kamal - Sridevi pair as probably the all time best couple. Kamal himself agreed in an interview that Sridevi was the best choice among all the lady loves of his. Kamal fans take this even further and end up voting as high as 98 -2 for sridevi vs the rest in "kamal's best pair" polls. I beg to differ. I have to differ. Kamal Sridevi may have all the chemistry and all the love. The soul lies in another pair.

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Kamal and Gauthami of Aboorva sahodrargal , Devar Magan, Nammavar and Kurudhi punal represent lovers who don't need dialogues from the film to declare that they are in love. There is a natural feeling of belonging on display. There is plenty of passion (given we are constrained by the Indian censor board) and there are many moments of subtlety. Aboorva Sahodrargal is the standard indian fantasy puppy love which starts with modhal and ends in kadhal. Gautami is at her sexy best and one doesn't need to talk about raja. Raja kaiya vecha adhu wronga ponadhilla. :) . And so the hunk and the chick set the screen on fire.

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Devar Magan was a lot more emotional. Committed to marriage, life breaks down midway when shakti is forced to marry the local village girl for the good of the entire village. Unknown of the fact, his lover, gautami returns to his place with grand plans for marriage and love only to find the photo of kamal's wedding hanging on the wall. And there starts the scene which is till date one of gauthami's best performances ever. Broken and totally confused, she shouts cries and throws everything apart. This small story of broken dreams occupies such a major context when the entire life of shakti is taken into consideration with the total plot in picture. Touching, is the word.

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Nammavar is love between two matured people. The lady lecturer is smitten by a revolutionary assistant professor who was the dude of his college way back in his student days. Notable is the scene where they get physically close and she confesses to him that she hasn't done it yet. She asks him if he has had the experience, and he points 2 fingers at her. "Both at the same time :o" she asks in shock. "No No, different times. In college" He says. Still very much on her. Unforgettable moments these...

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Kurudhipunal is about being soul mates through the toughest of battles. Guthami plays the perfect wife of the cop who understands every pressure of his and adjusts to life accordingly. Then comes the scene where kamal cries out to her saying he is losing the war and its so damn emotional. You have to believe that these people really know each other that much and find infinite comfort in their company. Then ofcourse comes the high voltage subhalekha sudhakar - gauthami blackmail rape scene. There is no kamal in it, but you still feel the bond. The fact that she misses him so much at that particular moment and gains courage from the kind of person he is to ultimately shoot sudhakar on his balls.

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And thats how goes one of the less acclaimed but amazingly portrayed romance relationships of tamil cinema. Kamal Gauthami movies will remain immortal, never erased from the list of great cinema. None of them is actually romance in genre but their part stands out. And that probably is the true test of chemistry which they clear with aplomb!