Kamala, Manjula and Pushpa are sisters, each getting attracted to Raghavan, their tenant. Raghavan falls in love with Pushpa. However, things take a turn for the worse, when Pushpa sacrifices herself to the whims of Kamal, a playboy, to save her friend Sudha from his exploits. The three sisters ultimately marry other men, while Raghavan remains unmarried.
Sollathaan Ninaikkiren is based on the novel Ilavu Kaatha Kili by Manian.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] Haasan worked as an assistant director of this film.[8] The final length of the film was 4,589.68 metres (15,058.0 ft).[9]
Sollathaan Ninaikkiren was released on 7 December 1973.[6]Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 30 December 1973, positively reviewed the film for Balachander's writing and the cast performances.[11] Kanthan of Kalki also gave the film a positive review.[12] The film was remade in Telugu as Ammayilu Jagratha.[citation needed] Balachander remade the film in Kannada as Sundara Swapnagalu.[13]
Legacy
The title of the film inspired a television series of same name, also produced by K. Balachander for Zee Tamil.[14]