While her on-screen romances were celebrated, her real-life love story became a tabloid sensation that threatened to derail her career. It remains one of the most debated chapters in South Indian cinema history.

: In this film directed by her husband, she played a woman waiting for her lost love, showcasing a more somber and sacrificial side of romance. Devayani has noted that the romantic dialogues in this film were a key reason she fell in love with Rajakumaran's writing.

: The marriage caused a severe rift with her family. Her mother initially filed a police complaint and later declared her daughter "dead" to her, while her brother, actor Nakkhul, also expressed deep anger at the time. Long-Term Stability

: Their bond deepened during the production of Nee Varuvai Ena (1999)— Rajakumaran's directorial debut starring Devayani—and later Vinnukkum Mannukkum (2001). Devayani was reportedly impressed by his respectful behavior and attention to her needs on set.

: In this National Award-winning film, Devayani played Kamali, a woman who falls in love with a man ( Ajith Kumar ) solely through letters without ever seeing his face. This "faceless romance" became a cult classic in Tamil cinema.