Kannukkul Nilavu (Tamil: கண்ணுக்குள் நிலவு; English: The Moon in my Eyes) is a 2000 Tamil language film directed by Fazil. The film features Vijay and Shalini in the leading roles, whileRaghuvaran, Srividya, Kaveri and Ponvannan play other supporting roles.^[1] The film opened in January 2000 to positive reviews and became a commercial success at the box office.  

Official DVD Box Cover
Directed by	Fazil
Produced by	Mohan Natarajan
Starring	Vijay Shalini Kaveri Raghuvaran Srividya
Music by	Ilayaraja
Cinematography	Ananda Kuttan
Editing by	T. R. Sekar
Studio	Sinthamani Cine Arts
Release date(s)	January 14, 2000
Running time	170 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

   Plot          

Gautham Prabhakar (Vijay) meets Dr.Rajasekhar (Raghuvaran), a psychologist, his daughter Hema (Shalini) and her friends, Surya (Charle) & Chandru (Dhamu). He has memories of a girl named Gayathri (Kaveri), whom he met briefly and wishes to find again. After examing his subconscious mind, Dr.Rajasekhar finds out that Gautham is suffering from split personality and has forgotten a lot of things, including the details of Gayathri's disappearance. Raghuvaran finds out that Gautham is looking for Shanmugam and his two friends, who Gautham feels have killed Gayathri. Hema falls in love with Gautham. Because of the affection and care shown by his mother, Gautham slowly recovers all the missing details about why and how he got to where he is. After attempts at revenge, Gautham starts a new life with Hema gaining the acceptance his mother and her father.

Cast

• Vijay as Gautham Prabhakar
• Shalini as Hema
• Kaveri as Gayathri
• Raghuvaran as Dr.Rajasekhar
• Srividya as Gautham's mother
• Charle as Surya
• Dhamu as Chandra
• Madhan Bob as Belgium
• Thalaivasal Vijay as Shanmugam
• Ponvannan as Soundar
• Shajin as Prakash

Production

Mohan Natarajan brought together the team of the successful 1997 film, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, in director Fazil and leading pair Vijay and Shalini with the venture. Anandakuttan was signed on to handle the camera and Ilaiyaraja to compose the music, while Shekar took charge of the editing, while the art direction was handled by Mani Suchitra. The director shot the film across 75 days across the picturesque sites of Alapuzha, Ernakulam and the hilly area of Vahamam.^[2]

Release

The film opened to predominantly positive reviews with The Hindu claiming that it was a "tremendous comeback vehicle for Vijay, wherein he portrays an entire gamut of emotions". The reviewer added that the film was "subtle in scenic presentation and characterisation, suspense without melodrama and spontaneity in reactions are plusses", while mentioning that Shalini was "flawless" in her role.^[3] Rediff.com described it as a "film worth seeing", lballeing that "the highlight of the film is actor Vijay's power-packed performance". The critic described that the "actor has shown laudable skill both in the way he has handled this complicated role and in expressing various shades of Gautham's tormented mind. Especially from the moment he becomes aggressive, with the violent streak predominating and eyes blazing with manic fury."^[4] In comparison, Indolink.com's critic labelled that what "could have been yet another masterpiece by Fazil, turns out to be a very below average fare", criticizing Vijay's portrayal. The critic however praised Shalini's performance and Ilaiyaraaja's background recording.^[5]

Cinematographer Ananda Kuttan won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer for his work in the film.^[6]

Soundtrack

The film's score and soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.^[7]

Song	Singer
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (duet)	K. J. Yesudas, Anuradha Sriram
Nilavu Paatu	Hariharan
Roja Poonthotam	P. Unni Krishnan, Anuradha Sriram
Adida Melathai	S. P. Balasubramaniam, S. N. Surendar, Arun Mozhi
Sinnan Chiru (female version)	K. S. Chitra
Enthan Kuyil	P. Unni Krishnan, Anuradha Sriram
Iravu Pagalai	K. J. Yesudas
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (male version)	K. J. Yesudas
Iravu Pagalai	Vijay
Sinnan Chiru (male version)	Vijay