Ninaithen Vandhai is a 1998 Tamil romantic musical comedy film directed by K. Selva Bharathy. It stars Vijay with Rambha, Devayani and Ranjith. Music by Deva. It was released on 10 April 1998 (Originally planned for Christmas 1997, then postponed to avoid clashing with Vijay's Kadhalukku Mariyadhai).
Gokul is a music-loving young man who keeps dreaming of a girl he can identify only by a mole near her navel. He searches for her with help from his uncle and brothers-in-law, while his father fixes his marriage to Savithri, a village girl who adores him. Gokul finally finds the mole on Swapna, who turns up at the music class he teaches, and the two fall in love. Then the brides turn out to be sisters, and Gokul is caught between family duty, Savithri's feelings and his own heart.
Vijay plays Gokul, a romantic, music-loving hero torn between two sisters. It was one of several romances he made in 1997-98, including Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, and its success brought Rambha back opposite him for two films in 1999.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Remake of K. Raghavendra Rao's 1996 Telugu hit Pelli Sandadi, and produced by the same Telugu team: Allu Aravind, C. Ashwani Dutt and K. Raghavendra Rao.
Directorial debut of K. Selva Bharathy, previously Sundar C's dialogue writer.
Shot from April to October 1997, while Vijay was also working on Once More and Nerrukku Ner. He started Kadhalukku Mariyadhai after this film wrapped.
First planned for December 1997, but pushed to 10 April 1998 so it would not clash with Kadhalukku Mariyadhai.
Goundamani was first expected to handle the comedy and was replaced by Senthil.
For 'Vannanilavae', the director used a body double for Rambha because she had committed her dates to a Telugu film.
Three tunes ('Unai Ninaithu', 'Pottu Vaithu', 'Un Marbile Vizhi') were reused from the Telugu original.
Its success led the makers to sign Rambha for two more Vijay films in 1999, Endrendrum Kadhal and Minsara Kanna.
Pairs Vijay with two heroines, Rambha and Devayani.
Audio rights went to Star Music India and Pyramid Audio.
Reviews were broadly positive. The Hindu's D. S. Ramanujam praised the debut director for keeping a brisk pace throughout. Kalki called it a classic tale worth one watch, while Ananda Vikatan gave a modest 35/100.
Its success made Vijay and Rambha a recurring screen pair in 1999.