Samanthipoo

Samanthipoo (transl. Chrysanthemum)^[1] is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by K. S. Mathangan, starring Sivakumar and Shoba. The film was released on 11 July 1980.^[2]

Samanthipoo
Directed by	K. S. Mathangan
Written by	K. S. Mathangan
Produced by	A. Rathnam
Starring	Sivakumar Shoba
Cinematography	V. Selvaraj
Edited by	A. Mohan
Music by	Malaysia Vasudevan
Production company	Anand Creations
Release date	11 July 1980 (1980-07-11)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Cast

• Sivakumar as Chidambaram
• Shoba as Sakthi
• Suruli Rajan
• Kumari Raji as Chidambaram's niece
• Sathyaraj as Sakthi's elder brother
• A. R. Srinivasan
• Vijayakanth as Prakash

Production

The film was eighty percent complete when lead actress Shoba died by suicide. While the film's producer Rathnam was worried that his money was in vain, the film's editor, A. Mohan, helped to ensure the film was completed. A woman who looked like Shoba was used and long shots showed her only from the backside. Although the story was originally written with her character marrying her lover, played by Sivakumar, the story was changed to make her consume poison due to her unfulfilled love. Footage of Shoba's real funeral was shown in the film as her character's funeral.^[3] Sathyaraj, early in his career, appeared in a small role and had to provide the costumes for the role himself.^[4] Vijayakanth, also early in his career, appeared in a small role as Viji's bridegroom for two scenes.^[5] The song sequences of Sivakumar and Shoba were picturised at a garden of a bungalow belonging to the manager of a tea estate at Coonoor.^[6]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Malaysia Vasudevan.^[7][8] It is his first film as composer.^[9]

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Maalai Velai"	Pulamaipithan	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
2.	"Kanavugale"	Gangai Amaran	S. P. Sailaja
3.	"Kadavulai Nenaichu"	Kamakodiyan	Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja, Saibaba
4.	"Aagayam Bhoomi"	Pulamaipithan	Malaysia Vasudevan

Release and reception

The film was released two months after Shoba's demise and also released a week later after another Shoba starrer Ponnagaram.^[10] Kanthan of Kalki appreciated Suruli Rajan's comedy, Selvaraj's cinematography and Vasudevan's music.^[11]