The film won positive reviews in screenings and was well received by critics, prompting it to be selected to be shown in the non-competitive category at the
2002 Shanghai International Film Festival. Despite being censored in 2001, the film only had a theatrical release across India in November 2003 under the title
Nadhi Karayinile, after the distributor Viswas Sundar did not want the film to be classified as a "Muslim film". The film did not perform well at the box office, but went on to win three
State film awards including the recognition as
Best Film portraying Women in Good Light.
The Hindu described Ponvannan's direction as an "absorbing presentation", adding "his sensitivity comes to the fore throughout the film". Visual Dasan of
Kalki praised the performances of actors, K. V. Mani's cinematography and praised Ponvannan for directing the film realistically. This was Suvalakshmi's last film she had worked before she left the film industry. == References ==