It is crucial to note that Kuyili rarely played the traditional "romantic lead" who sings in a garden. Her characters were:

Actresses who take on the role frequently discuss this tension in interviews. once noted in a 1991 interview that the director of Nadigan specifically asked her to avoid "sweet, lovey-dovey expressions" because Kuyili’s fire was literal, not metaphorical. In contrast, modern actresses like Ammu Abhirami (who played Kuyili in a 2018 stage production) have argued that a romantic subplot—handled sensitively—does not diminish a warrior; it shows what she is willing to lose.

The Unspoken Tragedy. Love that exists but cannot be claimed.