Poova Thalaiya 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. It was also an influence on the 2000 Tamil film Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela.

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

Production

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

Soundtrack

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

Release and reception

Poova Thalaiya was released on 10 May 1969. 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".