Thulladha Manamum Thullum is a 1999 Tamil musical romantic drama film directed by S. Ezhil. It stars Vijay with Simran and Rajasekar. Music by S. A. Rajkumar. It was released on 29 January 1999.
Kutty, a cable-TV worker with a fine singing voice, walks out of prison after seven years, and the story unfolds in flashback. Rukmani, a newcomer to his Triplicane neighbourhood, adores the voice she hears but despises Kutty himself, believing him to be a rowdy. While chasing a pickpocket, Kutty accidentally drops a bottle of acid that blinds her, and out of guilt he becomes her secret companion, never revealing his role. Their bond turns to love, and Kutty takes desperate steps to pay for an eye operation, which sets off the chain of events that sends him to jail.
Vijay plays Kutty, a gentle singer who silently shoulders guilt and sacrifice for the woman he blinded. The emotional, underplayed role won him the Tamil Nadu State MGR Honorary Award and cemented his romantic-hero image.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Debut film of director S. Ezhil, inspired by Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931), which he saw at a film festival.
The working title was Rukmanikkaga; producer R. B. Choudary changed it.
Vadivelu and Murali were considered for the lead before Vijay; the script was reworked to suit a commercial hero.
Rambha was originally cast as the heroine before Simran replaced her.
In the original concept, the hero was a painter rather than a singer.
Shooting began with the song 'Dhuddu'; a Triplicane set was built at Murugalaya Studios.
'Innisai Paadivarum' appears in three versions and is set to the raga Keeravani.
'Megamai Vanthu' was inspired by the Pakistani band Junoon's 'Sayonee' (1997).
Won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including the MGR Honorary Award for Vijay.
Remade in four languages: Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Odia.
Vijay's on-screen mother is never shown; no actress was cast for the role.
Ran for over 200 days in theatres.
Critics responded warmly. Rediff praised the "unusual premise" and called it a strong debut for Ezhil, the Deccan Herald admired its simplicity and Vijay's performance, and The Hindu called it a good blend of entertainment; Ananda Vikatan rated it 41/100.
The film boosted Simran into the front rank of Tamil heroines and launched the Vijay–Simran pairing that returned in Priyamaanavale (2000) and Udhaya (2004); its story was remade in four languages.