Manjal Nila

{{more plot|date=March 2023}}

Anand and Vasantha are new students at a film institute and quickly form a deep connection with each other. Many of the other students and even a few lecturers have an eye for Vasantha and intervene in their budding relationship. Vasantha herself is reluctant to pursue their love beyond friendship as she has a complicated past. Gopi, the editing professor, uses his power to take advantage of female students at the institute. He attempts the same with Vasantha, but is caught and eventually fired by the principal. He nurses a grudge and informs Vasantha's mother about Vasantha's closeness with Anand. Her mother is incensed by her daughter's budding relationship. She is determined to see her daughter become a successful actor and forces Vasantha to avoid Anand. He doesn't understand her sudden distance from him and is heartbroken. Vasantha eventually tells Anand about her past and why her mother is so determined to see her become a star. Anand reaffirms his love for Vasantha and the two decide to be together as they search for acting opportunities. Figures from their past intervene and force the young couple to face more roadblocks in their quest for happiness.

• Suresh as Anand
• Kalaranjini as Vasantha
• Nizhalgal Ravi as Gopi
• Thyagu as Suresh
• Major Sundarrajan as principal
• Pulavar Murugaiyyan
• Ennathe Kannaiah
• Kumarimuthu
• Thilakam Narayanasami

Soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.{{Cite web |date=1 January 1982 |title=Manjal Nila (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP |url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/manjal-nila-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1605110995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330052652/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/manjal-nila-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1605110995 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=Apple Music}}{{Cite web |title=Manjal Nila Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraaja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/manjal-nila-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322223214/https://mossymart.com/product/manjal-nila-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraaja/ |archive-date=22 March 2023 |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Mossymart}} The song "Ila Manathil Ezhum Kanavil" is set to the Carnatic raga Mayamalavagowla.{{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |pages=132 |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

S. Shiva Kumar, writing for Mid-Day, panned the film, particularly for Kumar's direction, writing, and Suresh's performance.{{Cite news |last=Shiva Kumar |first=S. |date=8 August 1982 |title=A thorough failure |url=https://twitter.com/sshivu/status/1279380885935017984 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704115027/https://twitter.com/sshivu/status/1279380885935017984 |archive-date=4 July 2020 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=Mid-Day |pages=28 |via=Twitter}} Thiraignani of Kalki felt none of the characters stay in mind due to director's mistake and also panned the story and climax as weak and concluded the director seems to have entered the film industry in haste.{{Cite magazine |last=திரைஞானி |date=8 August 1982 |title=மஞ்சள் நிலா |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1982-08-08/page/n24/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230330052410/https://archive.org/details/kalki1982-08-08/page/n24/mode/2up |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=23 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} Balumani of Anna criticised the music but appreciated the dialogues.{{Cite news |last=பாலுமணி |date=23 July 1982 |title=மஞ்சள் நிலா |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_6_272/4.jp2/full/1000%2C1326/0/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314101433/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_6_272/4.jp2/full/1000,1326/0/default.jpg |archive-date=14 March 2025 |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=Anna |pages=4 |language=ta |via=Endangered Archives Programme}}

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Category:1982 films

Category:1982 romantic drama films

Category:1980s Indian films

Category:1980s Tamil-language films

Category:Films directed by MGR Nambi

Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja

Category:Indian romantic drama films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films

Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films

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