''Paalai'' is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language

period film A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents history, historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction s ...

written and directed by Senthamizhan, who had previously assisted director

Ram Ram, ram, or RAM most commonly refers to: * A male sheep * Random-access memory, computer memory * Ram Trucks, US, since 2009 ** List of vehicles named Dodge Ram, trucks and vans ** Ram Pickup, produced by Ram Trucks Ram, ram, or RAM may also ref ...

in ''

Katradhu Thamizh ''Kattradhu Thamizh'' (; previously titled is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film written and directed by Ram, who directs his debut film. Produced by Salmara Mohammad Sharief, it stars Jiiva, Anjali and Karunas. The film ...

''. Based on Sangam literature, the film is set in 300 BC years and starred debutant Sunil Kumar and

Shammu Sheerin Sharmilee Ramalingam, professionally known as Shammu is an Indian-born American actress who appeared in Tamil films. She is best known for films such as ''Kanchivaram'', '' Mayilu'' and ''Dasavathaaram''. Background Shammu was born S ...

in pivotal roles. The film released with little publicity in November 2011.

Cast

*Sunil Kumar as Valan *

as Kaayampoo *Prof. V. Natarajan *Jayan *Krishnagiri *Julu

Production

The film was shot extensively in the forests of

Thanjavur Thanjavur (), also known as Thanjai, previously known as Tanjore, Pletcher 2010, p. 195 is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of southern Indian religion, art ...

Mysore Mysore ( ), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the ...

and

Sathyamangalam Sathyamangalam (also known as Sathy) is a town and municipality in Erode district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Tamil Nadu. It lies on the banks of the Bhavani River, Bhavani river, a tributary of the Cauvery River, Cau ...

. Actress

was the only professional actress to be cast in the film and Sunil Kumar prepared for his role by standing for hours under the sun to sport a tan as well as learning the basics of different forms of martial arts. It became the actress's final film before she left the film industry to complete her education. Members of the Irula tribe also acted in the film.

Soundtrack

Ved Shankar Vedshanker is an Indian music composer. A former student of A. R. Rahman's school. he made his debut in the Tamil film '' Paalai'' (2010) and then made a breakthrough with his work in ''Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom'' (2012). Career Ved Shan ...

is the debutant music director. All the lyrics were written by M. Senthamizhan. There are five tracks in the film. *1. "Maayama Mayaa" *2. "Yaado Yaadho" (Male) *3. "Paalai Theme" *4. "Yaadho Yaadho" (Female) *5. "Hey Kollare"

Release

The film was widely appreciated by critics though it was not released in many theatres. The film was privately screened in Norway a week later and was prepared for a theatrical release in the country shortly after, with the makers claiming it would be the first Tamil film to be released in regular cinema halls across Norway. The film was screened at the Norway International Film Festival and then subsequently at the 10th International Tamil Film Festival in Canada in 2012. It has won the best social awareness movie in Norway international film festival.

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 2166047 2011 films 2010s Tamil-language films Films set in ancient India Films scored by Ved Shankar