While A R Rahman’s music for Kadal received extremely positive reviews, the film itself received mixed reaction from critics and audience.

But debut actors – 16-year-old Thulasi Nair and 23-year-old Gautham Karthik – have both been appreciated for their acting skills and onscreen chemistry.

Both Thulasi Nair and Gautham Karthik come from a family of talented actors. Thulasi is the daughter of actress Radha and niece of Tamil actress Ambika. She is also the younger sister of 20-year-old Tamil and Malayalam actress Karthika Nair.

Meanwhile, Gautham is the son of actor Kathik and grandson of veteran actor Muthuraman.

According to media reports, Mani Ratnam wanted the lead pair to be fresh and new to the audience and hence requested their respective families to not be photographed or videographed by anyone.

 The two actors were also asked not to make public appearances prior to the release of the marketing activities of Kadal.

 But in two days of the release of Kadal’s trailer on YouTube, the pair’s onscreen chemistry and debut performance garnered over one million hits. Kadal also stars Arvind Swamy (of Bombay fame) and actor Arjun in important roles.

Mani Ratnam’s Tamil drama film Kadal released on Friday, February 1 amid the thick of controversy around Kamal Hassan's film Vishwaroopam.