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{{short description|1973 film by K. Balachander}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Sollathaan Ninaikkiren
| image = Sollathaan Ninaikkiren.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = [[K. Balachander]]
| screenplay = K. Balachander
| producer = Manian<br />'Vidhwan' Ve. Lakshmanan
| based_on = {{based on|''Ilavu Kaatha Kili''|Manian}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[S. V. Subbaiah]]|[[Sivakumar]]|[[Kamal Haasan]]|[[Jayachitra]]|[[Srividya]]|[[Shubha (actress)|Shubha]]|[[Jayasudha]]}}
| cinematography = [[B. S. Lokanath]]
| editing = N. R. Kittu
| music = [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
| studio = Udhayam Productions
| released = {{film date|1973|12|7|df=y}}
| runtime = 148 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Sollathaan Ninaikkiren''''' ({{Translation|I Am Trying to Say...}}) is a 1973 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film, written and directed by [[K. Balachander]]. Starring [[S. V. Subbaiah]], [[Sivakumar]], [[Kamal Haasan]], [[Jayachitra]], [[Srividya]], [[Shubha (actress)|Shubha]] and [[Jayasudha]], it is based on the novel ''Ilavu Kaatha Kili'' by Manian. The film was released on 7 December 1973. It was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Ammayilu Jagratha''. Balachander remade the film in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Sundara Swapnagalu]]''.

== Plot ==
Raghavan arrives at the office to assume his role as manager, only to find Sivaraman—a mentally unstable former head clerk and widower—occupying the position. Alarmed by the situation, the staff call Sivaraman's daughter, Manjula, a schoolteacher, who gently escorts her father back home.
Meanwhile, Kamal, a wealthy but idle womanizer, reconnects with his old friend Raghavan at a local club. Raghavan invites him to visit sometime, though Kamal's intentions seem more self-indulgent than cordial.

On New Year's Day, a noticeably steadier Sivaraman, returns to the office and invites Raghavan for a festive lunch at his home. Though Manjula and her sister Kamala doubt he will show up, they lovingly prepare an elaborate meal. Raghavan, who lives with a cook who cares for his motherless child, decides to accept the invitation—and during the visit, he meets the youngest of Sivaraman’s daughters, Pushpa.

In Raghavan’s absence, Kamal exploits the opportunity by bringing a woman from the club into Raghavan’s home. Displeased by this breach of trust, Raghavan decides to rent part of his house to Sivaraman’s family, offering them a safe and dignified place to stay.

As time passes, both Manjula and Kamala quietly fall for Raghavan. One day, Raghavan offers to post a letter Kamala wrote to a friend and reads it, discovering her affection. However, his own feelings lean toward Pushpa. Pushpa, in turn, realizes her sister Kamala loves Raghavan.
At college, Pushpa sees Kamal’s poor treatment of women—especially her friend who was discarded by him. Kamal also influences his younger brother to drink, prompting Pushpa to intervene. In doing so, she learns his identity and confronts Kamal. He shamelessly reveals a list of women he hopes to seduce—Pushpa among them. Outraged, she vows never to fulfill his fantasy.

At home, worry grows as Pushpa returns late, prompting Manjula and Kamala to accuse their father of neglect. Sivaraman confesses his helplessness due to unemployment and lack of savings. Raghavan steps in, promising to find suitable grooms for the daughters, starting with Manjula. Unfortunately, she realizes her love for him is one-sided.
Pushpa later confronts Kamal’s mother, who misjudges her intentions and offers money to make amends for her son’s misconduct.
Two marriage prospects visit Manjula’s home—both reject her. One man, Kathiresan (an acquaintance of Raghavan), prefers Kamala instead. Around this time, Manjula discovers that Raghavan’s cook is the father of the child she’s been helping.

Pushpa comforts her friend Sudha, who is forced to marry a much older man, Prabhu. At the wedding, Kamal leers at Sudha, and later attempts to seduce her during a visit to her home. He entices Prabhu with his luxury car, and while Prabhu is away for a test drive, Kamal makes a move on Sudha.
One evening, Kamala stumbles into Raghavan’s room and discovers a portrait he painted—of Pushpa. Heartbroken, she confronts him, and he confesses his feelings. Kamala, through her own pain, encourages him to speak up, and accepts Kathiresan’s marriage proposal.

Kamal and Sudha plot to elope, but Prabhu overhears. He begs Pushpa to stop them. She races to Kamal’s home, arriving before he leaves for the airport. Kamal, still obsessed with Pushpa, tries to seduce her, but she cleverly halts time—literally stopping the clock—to prevent his escape.
On Pushpa’s birthday, Raghavan plans to propose, but the recent chaos leaves him hesitant. Kamala asks him to consider marrying Manjula instead. Raghavan approaches her, but she declines—haunted by his past connection with the cook. Yet, while caring for the cook’s child, she begins to admire his character. She suggests marriage, but the cook refuses, feeling too poor and unworthy. Later, when he returns a lost purse, Manjula symbolically wears widow’s clothing—revealing her own sense of societal invisibility. Moved, the cook agrees to marry her.

In the end, Sivaraman is reinstated in his job thanks to Raghavan, who himself receives a transfer to another city, closing a chapter filled with love, heartbreak, redemption, and quiet transformations.

== Cast ==
* [[S. V. Subbaiah]] as Sivaraman<ref name="thiraippada solai" />
* [[Sivakumar]] as Raghavan<ref name="thiraippada solai" />
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Kamal<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2018 |title=கமல் பேரு கமல்; ரஜினி பேரு ரஜினி! கேரக்டர்களுக்கும் அவங்க பெயர்! |url=https://www.kamadenu.in/news/cinema/3420-kamal-peru-kamal-rajini-peru-rajini-2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190118065919/https://www.kamadenu.in/news/cinema/3420-kamal-peru-kamal-rajini-peru-rajini-2.html |archive-date=18 January 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019 |website=[[Kamadenu (magazine)|Kamadenu]] |language=ta}}</ref>
* [[Jayachitra]] as Pushpa<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2014 |title=தண்ணி கருத்திருச்சு... |url=http://www.dinamalar.com/supplementary_detail.asp?id=23290&ncat=19&Print=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203054038/http://www.dinamalar.com/supplementary_detail.asp?id=23290&ncat=19&Print=1 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |access-date=18 May 2021 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta}}</ref>
* [[Srividya]] as Kamala<ref name="thiraippada solai" />
* [[Shubha (actress)|Shubha]] as Manjula<ref name="thiraippada solai" />
* [[Jayasudha]] as Sudha<ref name="thiraippada solai" />
* [[Poornam Viswanathan]] as Sudha's husband, Prabhu<ref>{{Cite news |last=Umashankar |first=Sudha |date=17 October 1987 |title=Poornam: 'acting is a commitment' |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=vzY-6mMDyDUC&dat=19871017&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=21 May 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=19 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[Sekhar (actor)|Master Sekhar]] as Kamal's brother

== Production ==
''Sollathaan Ninaikkiren'' is based on the novel ''Ilavu Kaatha Kili'' by Manian.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 2015 |title=நாவல்கள், திரைப்படங்களாக உருமாறும்போது... |url=https://www.dinamani.com/editorial-articles/special-stories/2015/apr/06/நாவல்கள்-திரைப்படங்களாக-உர-1094199.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417180255/https://www.dinamani.com/editorial-articles/special-stories/2015/apr/06/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%89%E0%AE%B0-1094199.html |archive-date=17 April 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019 |work=[[Dinamani]] |language=ta}}</ref> The novel had been performed over 100 times as a stage play. The novel was later made into a film by Manian and 'Vidhwan' Ve. Lakshmanan under the production banner Udhayam Productions.<ref name="Maalai Malar" /> The film was launched at Gemini Studios. [[S. S. Balan]] clapped the board while [[M. G. Ramachandran]] switched on the camera.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 June 1973 |title='சொல்லத்தான் நினைக்கிறேன்' படப்பிடிப்பு துவங்கியது |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_1_49/4.jp2/0,0,5839,8543/5839,8543/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251216111110/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_1_49/4.jp2/0,0,5839,8543/5839,8543/0/default.jpg |archive-date=16 December 2025 |access-date=16 December 2025 |work=Navamani |pages=4 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref> Thangappan Master was initially hired as the dance choreographer, but as K. Balachander objected to whom Kamal Haasan called "the traditional cinema dance master", and wanted a younger man, Haasan hired [[Raghuram]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=16 October 2014 |title=Enriching cinema, Kamal style |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/enriching-cinema-kamal-style/article6506926.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515155420/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/enriching-cinema-kamal-style/article6506926.ece |archive-date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Haasan worked as an assistant director of this film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=11 December 2010 |title=Cupid calling |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Cupid-calling/article15589255.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216013204/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article945879.ece |archive-date=16 December 2010 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The final length of the film was {{Convert|4589.68|metres|feet}}.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=6 December 1975 |title='Sollathan Ninaikiren' (Tamil) (35 mm.) (B&W.) (India). |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gazette.1975.418/page/n17/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240408104605/https://archive.org/details/in.gazette.1975.418/page/n17/mode/2up |archive-date=8 April 2024 |access-date=8 April 2024 |magazine=[[The Gazette of India]] |pages=2090 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> The song "Kalyanam Kacheri" was shot at Gemini Studios.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 1973 |title=ஜெயசுதா செல்வந்தரை மணந்தார் |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_1_71/4.jp2/0,0,5686,8483/5686,8483/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251216111517/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_1_71/4.jp2/0,0,5686,8483/5686,8483/0/default.jpg |archive-date=16 December 2025 |access-date=16 December 2025 |work=Navamani |pages=4 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]], with lyrics by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sollaththan Ninaikkiren (1973) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0001300 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165757/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0001300 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=7 July 2014 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref> The title song is based on [[Keeravani]] raga.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ஏழிசை எம்எஸ்வி {{!}} பயோகிராபி |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/msv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626130400/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/msv/ |archive-date=26 June 2020 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=Ta}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Song !! Singers !! Length
|-
| "Kalyanam Kachari" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[L. R. Eswari]] || 03:32
|-
| "Malar Pol Sirrppathu" || [[Vani Jairam]] || 04:27
|-
| "Pallavi Endru" || [[P. Susheela]], [[S. Janaki]] || 05:06
|-
| "Sollathaan Ninaikkiren" || [[M. S. Viswanathan]], [[S. Janaki]] || 03:13
|-
| "Sollathaan Ninaikkiren" (Sad) || [[M. S. Viswanathan]] || 02:00
|}

== Release and reception ==
''Sollathaan Ninaikkiren'' was released on 7 December 1973.<ref name="Maalai Malar" /> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'', in a review dated 30 December 1973, positively reviewed the film for Balachander's writing and the cast performances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 1973 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம்: சொல்லத்தான் நினைக்கிறேன் |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/39872--2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200515160044/https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/39872--2 |archive-date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> Kanthan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' also gave the film a positive review.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=காந்தன் |date=6 January 1974 |title=சொல்லத்தான் நினைக்கிறேன் |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1974/jan/06-01-1974/p36.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220727090757/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1974/jan/06-01-1974/p36.jpg |archive-date=27 July 2022 |access-date=4 January 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=36 |language=ta}}</ref> ''Navamani'' praised the acting, dialogues and direction.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 December 1973 |title=சொல்லத்தான் நினைக்கிறேன் |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_2_31/4.jp2/0,0,5767,8452/5767,8452/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251216061721/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_2_31/4.jp2/0,0,5767,8452/5767,8452/0/default.jpg |archive-date=16 Dec 2025 |access-date=16 Dec 2025 |work=Navamani |pages=4 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref> The film was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Ammayilu Jagratha''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Balachander remade the film in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Sundara Swapnagalu]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Avinash |date=18 July 2020 |title=A rare talent for spotting talent, Actor Ramesh Aravind on K Balachander |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/jul/18/a-rare-talent-for-spotting-talent-actor-ramesh-aravind-on-k-balachander-2171233.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507054235/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/jul/18/a-rare-talent-for-spotting-talent-actor-ramesh-aravind-on-k-balachander-2171233.html |archive-date=7 May 2021 |access-date=7 May 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The title of the film inspired a television series of same name, produced by K. Balachander for [[Zee Tamil]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S.R. |date=25 March 2009 |title=All about relationships |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/All-about-relationships/article15931533.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190118063505/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/All-about-relationships/article15931533.ece |archive-date=18 January 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="thiraippada solai">{{Cite news |last=சிவகுமார் |author-link=Sivakumar |date=7 June 2021 |title=திரைப்படச்சோலை 38: சொல்லத்தான் நினைக்கிறேன் |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/679475-thiraippada-solai-38.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607145815/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/679475-thiraippada-solai-38.html |archive-date=7 June 2021 |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref>
<ref name="Maalai Malar">{{Cite web |date=27 January 2021 |title=பாலசந்தரின் மற்றொரு புதுமைப்படைப்பு - அவள் ஒரு தொடர்கதை |url=https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinehistory/2021/01/27035552/2299062/cinima-history-balachandar.vpf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506091012/https://cinema.maalaimalar.com/cinema/cinehistory/2021/01/27035552/2299062/cinima-history-balachandar.vpf |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=6 May 2021 |website=[[Maalai Malar]] |language=ta}}</ref>
</references>

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{K. Balachander}}
[[Category:1973 Indian films]]
[[Category:1973 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1973 films]]
[[Category:Films based on Tamil novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Sollathaan Ninaikkiren - Revision history

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