The electric dream) is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language musical romantic comedy film that was co-written and directed by Rajiv Menon.

A. R. Rahman composed the soundtrack, which received positive reviews, and the songs "Mana Madurai", "Strawberry", "Thanga Thamarai", and "Vennilave" became popular.

The film was a commercial success in Tamil Nadu, though it initially opened to mediocre box-office earnings, but its dubbed versions performed poorly in North India and Telugu states.

Priya, after several years as a Novice at the convent, unexpectedly meets Thomas, who is visiting his aunt, the Mother Superior of the Lawrence School.

Thomas is shocked when he learns of Priya's ambition to become a nun; he approaches a hairstylist named Deva, who is known for his ability to change women's minds, to dissuade her.

Deva and his friend, a blind, aspiring musician named Guru, befriend Priya and persuade her to join their music troupe.

Thomas rushes to the convent on the day Priya is to become a nun and, with the help of the Mother Superior, changes her mind and persuades her to marry Deva.

[18] Menon wrote Minsara Kanavu's story, which is based on Robert Wise's 1965 film The Sound of Music;[22] he also co-wrote the screenplay with V. C. Guhanathan in English.

[6][23] Arvind Swamy was cast as Thomas, a non-resident Indian who, after returning from his studies abroad, meets and falls in love with his childhood friend Priya; he had earlier been Menon's replacement for the lead role in the 1992 film Roja.

[24] Menon's wife Latha suggested the Bollywood actor Kajol to play Priya,[25] making Minsara Kanavu one of her only two appearances in Tamil cinema—the other being in Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017).

[24][29] Kajol said working on Minsara Kanavu was an "unforgettable experience", and that she was happy Menon gave her the part immediately after the other actresses rejected it.

In his obituary published by The Hindu in 2020, Menon said Balasubrahmanyam was "so enthusiastic and joyous on [the] set", noting that it was interesting to see him acting opposite Girish Karnad, who played Priya's father Amalraj.

[1]: 02:28  Asked on his decision to not handle the cinematography, Menon said working as a director and cinematographer simultaneously could make him not "pay attention to both the departments equally".

The film used different ragas (melodic modes) throughout the soundtrack, with the choral music being written in Sankarabharanam,[43] and the song "Anbendra Mazhayile in Anandabhairavi.

[44] In an interview with Frontline Balasubrahmanyam said of the recording session of "Thanga Thamarai": "[I]t required a tone that reflected the feelings of someone totally smitten and intoxicated by love.

[47] The soundtrack album was released on 25 December 1996,[41] with the cast and crew attending the event and M. K. Stalin, the then-Mayor of Chennai, as the chief guest.

[49] Javed Akhtar wrote lyrics for the Hindi version of the soundtrack and a new song titled "Teri Meri Baat" was added.

Calling the film "good entertainment", he lauded its screenplay and Kajol's performance, adding that she was at her best when she is "her naughty self or belting out songs" such as "Maana Madurai".

[62] Writing for The Indian Express, M. S. M. Desai was ambivalent about the Hindi dubbed version Sapnay, saying it is filled with many songs and dances that make "the pace of the narrative dull and drab".

[63] Initial responses to the soundtrack were unfavourable; Desai said Rahman "fails miserably to come up with catchy numbers",[63] but reception improved in the 21st century.