Poova Thalaiya (1969 film)

Poova Thalaiya (transl. Heads or Tails?) is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Gemini Ganesh, Jaishankar, Nagesh, S. Varalakshmi, Rajasree and Vennira Aadai Nirmala. It was released on 10 May 1969. The film was remade in Telugu as Bomma Borusa, in Malayalam as Balapareekshanam and in Kannada as Balondu Uyyale.^[1] It was also an influence on the 2000 Tamil film Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela.^[2]

Poova Thalaiya
DVD cover
Directed by	K. Balachander
Written by	K. Balachander
Produced by	Rama. Arangakannal
Starring	Gemini Ganesh Jaishankar Nagesh S. Varalakshmi Rajasree Vennira Aadai Nirmala
Cinematography	N. Balakrishnan
Edited by	N. R. Kittu
Music by	M. S. Viswanathan
Production company	Arul Films
Release date	10 May 1969 (1969-05-10)
Running time	150 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Ganesan is a widower and Parvathamma is his mother-in-law. Shankar is the younger brother of Ganesan and he falls in love with Parvathamma's youngest daughter Nirmala. A healthy competition takes place between evil minded Parvathamma and Shankar so as to overthrow one another.

Cast

• Gemini Ganesh as Ganesan^[3]
• Jaishankar as Shankar^[3]
• Nagesh as Nagesh^[3]
• S. Varalakshmi as Parvathamma
• Rajasree as Raji
• Vennira Aadai Nirmala as Nirmala
• Srikanth as Nagamma's son
• M. R. R. Vasu as the hotel manager
• S. Rama Rao as Indra's father
• J. Balayya
• Manorama as Indra
• Sachu as Saraswathy
• T. P. Muthulakshmi as Nagamma
• Parvathy as Indra's mother

Production

The film was shot at AVM Studios and was produced by Rama. Arangakannal, an active politician.^[4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Vaali.^[5] The title song is set to the raga Mohanam,^[6] and "Maduraiyil Parandha" is set to Kalyani.^[7]

Song	Singers	Length
"Adi Sarithan Podi"	T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari	03:50
"Madhurayil Parantha"	T. M. Soundararajan	03:58
"Paladai Meni"	P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari	04:28
"Poda Chonnal Pottu"	T. M. Soundararajan, Manorama, A. L. Raghavan	05:43
"Poova Thalaiya"	T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan	04:21

Release and reception

Poova Thalaiya was released on 10 May 1969.^[3] The Indian Express called the film "an all-out attempt at comedy and it succeeds reasonably well", but said Balachander's direction had "not come up with the standard of his previous films".^[8]