When 'Nuvve Kavali' waltzed its way into the hearts of youngsters (and even elders) on this day in 2000, many didn't know that this remake of a Malayalam movie would be one of the key forces driving a radical change in the audience's tastes. Once and for all, after the audience fell in love with this 'It's not a love story', and Teja's triumvirate of 'Chitram', 'Nuvvu Nenu' and 'Jayam' (and also Pawan Kalyan's 'Khushi'), characters became younger, love stories had nothing much to do with parents played by boring veteran actors, emotions weren't supported by needless melodrama, so on and so forth.

K Vijay Bhaskar, not a new-age director, was hardly expected to bring all these into existence. But he did. In company with Trivikram Srinivas (dialogues). In association with the new kid on the block, Tarun. By teaming up with Koti, the music director.

After this, love stories could no longer be old-fashioned ever again. If they did, they stood to lose. Like a trend-setter, the movie changed the scene. It stole the hearts like a 'Githanjali', minus high-brow poetry. With profound lyrics that brought out the lover boy's emotions in all its colours, 'Nuvve Kavali' blended a tale of friendship and love like no film had done in the past. Koti's songs were massive hits; if 'Ekkada Vunna', 'Anaganaga Aakasam Vundi' and 'Kallalloki Kallupetti' had youngsters mesmerized, 'Ole Ole' had the masses go gaga.

Last but not the least. The interval block and the climax were reasons enough for youngsters to watch the flick repeatedly. No wonder that it had a glorious run for 200 days in 20 centres.

As the film turns 16 today, IndiaGlitz pays a tribute to this unforgettable rom-com.