Thanks H_H! Thanks Ravi, Mappi & UV!

H_H,

Tik Tik Tik was a much expected movie and the film right from the starting stage was a hot topic of discussion. BR who was continuously tasting success in his first five films started faltering from Kallukkul Eeram [though it was directed by cameraman Nivas and supervised by BR] and his next movie Nizhalgal also fell at BO. Alaigal Oyvadhillai redeemed him. Of course Radha had a major role in it's success and immediately BR started Tik Tik Tik. Alaigal Oyvadhillai was released on 18th July of 1981[if my memory serves me right] and the first promotional stills of Tik Tik Tik were out by August 2nd week. In fact the cover of Cinema Express magazine that came out on Aug 15th had the famous working still of Kamal sitting in a chair surrounded by Madhavi, Swapna and Radha all in bikinis.

It was very quickly made and was released on 7th November 1981, Kamal's birthday. The quickness with which it was completed was a huge achievement because Kamal had 8 releases in Tamil that year. It started with Meendum Kokila in January, Ram Lakshman in February, Raja Paravai in April, Kadal Meengal in June, Savaal in July, Sankarlal in August, Tik Tik Tik in November and Ellam Inbamayam in December. Added to this was Ek Duje Ke Liye.

As you had rightly pointed out , Tik Tik Tik was so absorbing in the first half only to be let down in the second half. So after a great opening it fell but nevertheless it did cross 100 days, I believe albeit in smaller screen. The other three films that Kamal did with BR like 16 Vayadhinile, Sigappu Roajakkal and Oru Kaidhiyin Diary were all huge hits.

Regarding the Hindi version, Kamal at that point of time was so much engrossed with Bollywood that he was remaking all his Tamil movies in Hindi. As you might remember Moondram Pirai was made as Sadma, Apporva Ragaangal was remade as Ek Nayi Paheli and even Sattam En Kaiyil was remade in Hindi. It was joked at that point of time that few movies that Kamal would have liked to remake had already been done earlier. Like 16 Vayadhinile [done by Amol Palekar], Sigappu Rojakkal becoming Red Roses [Rajesh Khanna] and Vaazhve Maayam was done by Jeetendra, I believe. It was other way round also like Guru in Tamil was remade from Dharmendra's Jugunu and even Neela Malargal was a remake of a Hindi movie Anurag.

That is how Karishma was also done in Hindi!

Regards