Poova Thalaiya(1969)
'Poova Thalaiya' (transl. Heads or Tails?) is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Jaishankar, Nagesh, S. Varalakshmi, Rajasree, and Vennira Aadai Nirmala. The story follows a widower, his controlling mother-in-law, and his younger brother who falls in love with the mother-in-law's youngest daughter. A battle of wits ensues as the brother tries to marry the girl against the mother's wishes. The film was shot at AVM Studios and produced by Rama. Arangakannal. It was released on 10 May 1969 and received positive reviews for its comedy. The film was remade in Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, and influenced the 2000 Tamil film 'Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela'.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 May 1969
- Director
- K. Balachander
- Language
- Tamil
- Rating
- 7.6/10
Storyline
A widower's quiet life is turned upside down when his younger brother falls in love with his controlling mother-in-law's youngest daughter. The mother-in-law will do anything to stop the marriage. The brother must use his wits to win the girl and defeat the evil-minded woman.
“Heads or tails? Love always wins.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Poova Thalaiya
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Viswanathan & Jaishankar (77 films together), K. Balachander & M. S. Viswanathan (27 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Gemini Ganesan (27 films together), K. Balachander & Gemini Ganesan (9 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Rajasree (7 films together), and Gemini Ganesan & Jaishankar (7 films together).
Trivia
- The film was based on a stage play called 'Poova Thalaiya' by K. Balachander himself, which was first performed by his theatre troupe.
- This was one of the few films where actor Sivakumar played a character named Shankar, a name later famously associated with his son, actor Suriya's screen persona.
- The movie featured a then-popular playback singer, P. Susheela, singing for the character Paruvathamma, played by Sowcar Janaki.
- Director K. Balachander made a brief cameo appearance in the film, continuing his habit of appearing in small roles in his own movies.
- The film's plot involving a romantic relationship between a man and his elder brother's mother-in-law was considered quite bold for its time.
- It was one of the early films in which music composer M.S. Viswanathan collaborated with lyricist Kannadasan for K. Balachander.
- The title 'Poova Thalaiya' translates to 'Flower Head', symbolising a delicate or ornamental leadership position within the family conflict.