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{{short description|2006 film by K. Balachander}}
{{short description|2006 film by K. Balachander}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{More plot|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Poi
| image          = Poi (film).jpg
| image          =
| caption        = DVD cover
| native_name = {{film name|Tamil|பொய்}}
| director      = [[K. Balachander]]
| director      = [[K. Balachander]]
| producer      = [[Prakash Raj]]
| producer      = [[Prakash Raj]]
| writer        = [[K. Balachander]],<br>Thamira (dialogues)
| writer        = K. Balachander<br />[[Thamira]] (dialogues)
| starring      = [[Uday Kiran]]<br />[[Vimala Raman]]<br />[[Geethu Mohandas]]<br />Prakash Raj<br />[[Adithya (actor)|Adithya Menon]]<br />[[K. Balachander]]
| starring      = [[Uday Kiran]]<br />[[Vimala Raman]]
| music          = [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]
| music          = [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| cinematography =Biju Viswanath
| cinematography = [[Biju Viswanath]]
| studio   = Duet Movies
| studio         = Duet Movies
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|2006|12|22}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|2006|12|22}}
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Tamil
| language      = Tamil
}}
}}
'''''Poi''''' (English: ''The Lie'') is a 2006 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film, directed by [[K. Balachander]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/entertainment-tollywood/article/%E2%80%98brahma-new-wave-indian-cinema%E2%80%99-k-balachander|title=Brahma of new wave Indian cinema K Balachander passes away|date=24 December 2014|website=Deccanchronicle.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/iyakunar-sigaram-k-balachander/article6697817.ece|title=End of an era: K. Balachander (1930–2014)|date=23 December 2014|access-date=5 August 2018|website=Thehindu.com}}</ref> Poi was his 101st and final film.
'''''Poi''''' ({{translation|The Lie}}) is a 2006 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[K. Balachander]] in his 101st and final film as a director. Produced by [[Prakash Raj]], the film starts [[Uday Kiran]] (in his Tamil debut) and [[Vimala Raman]] (in her acting debut),<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 December 2014 |title=Brahma of new wave Indian cinema K Balachander passes away |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/entertainment-tollywood/article/%E2%80%98brahma-new-wave-indian-cinema%E2%80%99-k-balachander |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028110619/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/entertainment-tollywood/article/%E2%80%98brahma-new-wave-indian-cinema%E2%80%99-k-balachander |archive-date=28 October 2016 |access-date=5 August 2018 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> while [[Geetu Mohandas]], Prakash Raj, [[Adithya Menon]], and [[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] play supporting roles along with the director in a guest appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2014 |title=End of an era: K. Balachander (1930–2014) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/iyakunar-sigaram-k-balachander/article6697817.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621020250/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/iyakunar-sigaram-k-balachander/article6697817.ece |archive-date=21 June 2024 |access-date=5 August 2018 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] with cinematography by [[Biju Viswanath]]. The film was released on 22 December 2006.


==Plot==
== Plot ==
Valluvanar ([[Avinash]]) is an upright political leader in Tamil Nadu who is much respected for his honesty and uprightness, and he refuses to compromise on this trait, even when his only son Kamban ([[Uday Kiran]]) finds himself in jail for no fault of his. The opposition party takes advantage of the situation and bails out Kamban, who joins the party, much to his father's embarrassment. The media laps it up, sensationalizing it further. Kamban decides to leave the country until things cool down. Only his mother Vasuki (Anuradha Krishnamurthy), with whom he is close, is aware of this plan. Kamban arrives at Sri Lanka where he befriends Banerjee ([[Badava Gopi]]), a Bengali, and stays with him. One day, he finds a Tamil literary book on the beach, which he traces to Shilpa ([[Vimala Raman]]), the owner of the book. Shilpa is a college student preparing for civil services examination. The film juggles between reality and fiction, where Theepori, the fictitious father image of Kamban, advises him to fall in love. That sets in rolling the love story as Kamban persists in wooing Shilpa. She is staying with her brother's family. Shilpa is keen on realizing her ambitions and feels that love and marriage often comes in the way of women's career. The rest of the story is about the emotional conflict between her career and love. After Vasuki's death, Valluvanar reaches Sri Lanka. Kamban is unaware of his mother's death. Shilpa's family meets Valluvanar. Meanwhile, Kamban goes to meet Shilpa to hand over the passport, but due to his friend's lie, he ends up thinking that Shilpa committed suicide. How the lie told to reunite the lovers gives the tragic end is the end of the story.
Valluvanar ([[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]]) is an upright political leader in [[Tamil Nadu]] who is much respected for his honesty and uprightness, and he refuses to compromise on this trait, even when his only son Kamban ([[Uday Kiran]]) finds himself in jail for no fault of his. The opposition party takes advantage of the situation and bails out Kamban, who joins the party, much to his father's embarrassment. The media laps it up, sensationalising it further. Kamban decides to leave the country until things cool down. Only his mother Vasuki (Anuradha Krishnamurthy), with whom he is close, is aware of this plan. Kamban arrives at [[Sri Lanka]] where he befriends Banerjee ([[Badava Gopi]]), a Bengali, and stays with him. One day, he finds a Tamil literary book on the beach, which he traces to Shilpa ([[Vimala Raman]]), the owner of the book. Shilpa is a college student preparing for civil services examination. The film juggles between reality and fiction, where Theepori, the fictitious father image of Kamban, advises him to fall in love. That sets in rolling the love story as Kamban persists in wooing Shilpa. She is staying with her brother's family. Shilpa is keen on realising her ambitions and feels that love and marriage often comes in the way of women's career. The rest of the story is about the emotional conflict between her career and love. After Vasuki's death, Valluvanar reaches Sri Lanka. Kamban is unaware of his mother's death. Shilpa's family meets Valluvanar. Meanwhile, Kamban goes to meet Shilpa to hand over the passport, but due to his friend's lie, he ends up thinking that Shilpa committed suicide. How the lie told to reunite the lovers gives the tragic end is the end of the story.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
*[[Uday Kiran]] as Kamban
{{Cast listing|
*[[Uday Kiran]] as Kamban a.k.a. Bharati
*[[Vimala Raman]] as Shilpa
*[[Vimala Raman]] as Shilpa
*[[Geetu Mohandas]] as Ramya
*[[Geetu Mohandas]] as Ramya
*[[Prakash Raj]] as Vidhi (Fate)
*[[Adithya (actor)|Adithya Menon]] as Vishnu
*[[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] as Valluvanar
*[[Sridhar (choreographer)|Sridhar]] as Roshan
*[[Sridhar (choreographer)|Sridhar]] as Roshan
*[[Adithya (actor)|Adithya Menon]] as Vishnu
*Anuradha Krishnamurthy as Vasuki
*[[Avinash]] as Valluvanar
*[[Prakash Raj]] as Vidhi (Fate)
*[[Renuka (actress)|Renuka]] as Menaka
*[[Renuka (actress)|Renuka]] as Menaka
*[[Badava Gopi]] as Banerjee
*[[Badava Gopi]] as Banerjee
*Anuradha Krishnamurthy as Vasuki
*[[Bombay Gnanam]]
*[[K. Balachander]] (cameo appearance)
*[[K. Balachander]] as the man who plays dice with Fate
*[[Samuthirakani]] (cameo appearance)
*[[Samuthirakani]] (cameo appearance)
==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name      = Poi
| type      = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist    = [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = 10 December 2006
| recorded  = [[Varsha Vallaki Studios]]
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Feature Film Soundtrack]]
| length    =
| label      = [[Eros Music]]
| producer  = Vidyasagar
| prev_title = [[Emmtan-Magan]]
| prev_year  = 2006
| next_title = [[Kaiyoppu]]
| next_year  = 2007
}}
}}


Music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (music director)|Vidyasagar]].
== Soundtrack ==
Music was composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2005 |title=Poi |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/poi/JEZmb-AJ704_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806121115/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/poi/JEZmb-AJ704_ |archive-date=6 August 2023 |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics
|-
|-
| 1 || "Azhaghana Poigale" || [[Ranjith (singer)|Ranjith]] || [[Vairamuthu]]
| "Azhaghana Poigale" || [[Ranjith (singer)|Ranjith]] || [[Vairamuthu]]
|-
|-
| 2 || "Enna Tholaithai" || [[K. S. Chithra]] || Kirithaya
| "Enna Tholaithai" || [[K. S. Chithra]] || Kirithaya
|-
|-
| 3 || "Hitler Penne" || [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]] || rowspan=2|[[P. Vijay]]
| "Hitler Penne" || [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]], [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]] || rowspan=2|[[Pa. Vijay]]
|-
|-
| 4 || "Inge Inge Oru Paatu" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| "Inge Inge Oru Paatu" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
|-
|-
| 5 || "Iyakkunare" || [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Sriram Parthasarathy]] || [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
| "Iyakkunare" || [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Sriram Parthasarathy]] || [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]]
|-
|-
| 6 || "Kandu Pidithen" || K. Narayan || rowspan=2|Kirithaya
| "Kandu Pidithen" || K. Narayan || rowspan=2|Kirithaya
|-
|-
| 7 || "Kannamoochi" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| "Kannamoochi" || [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|-
|-
| 8 || "Kutti Kutti Kavithai" || [[Pop Shalini]] || rowspan=2|P. Vijay
| "Kutti Kutti Kavithai" || [[Pop Shalini]] || rowspan=2|Pa. Vijay
|-
| 9 || "La La La" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
|-
|-
| "La La La" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
|}
|}


==Production==
== Critical reception ==
The film was launched in 2005 at the eve of KB's 75th birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/7755.html|title=Tamil Cinema News – Tamil Movie Reviews – Tamil Movie Trailers |website=Indiaglitz.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> There were rumors that Rajini and Kamal would appear in cameo appearances but proved false.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News28/30-8-05/tamil-movie-news-poi.html|title=Tamil movies : Balachandar draws distributors to Prakash Raj|website=Behindwoods.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> Telugu actor Udaykiran was selected to play the lead role making his debut in Tamil and Vimala Raman who was brought up in Australia was selected as heroine. Geethu Mohandas who earlier appeared in ''[[Nala Damayanthi (2003 film)|Nala Damayanthi]]'' was selected to appear in this film making "Poi" her second and last film in Tamil. K Balachander and Prakshraj themselves acted in this film. There were rumours that Jayashree of "Thendral Ennai thodu" fame would appear in this film which became false.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/16281.html|title=Tamil Cinema News – Tamil Movie Reviews – Tamil Movie Trailers |website=Indiaglitz.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref>
Saraswathy Srinivas of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' wrote "you expect so much from Balachander, a genuine icon of Tamil filmdom; if you leave adulation aside, though, you have to say that his latest film disappoints".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Saraswathy |date=26 December 2006 |title=Poi: Disappointing |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/26poi.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033434/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/26poi.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=5 August 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Nowrunning wrote "''Poi'' lacks the marks of KB's earlier films".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Mythily |date=29 December 2006 |title=Poi Tamil Movie |url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/2910/tamil/poi/1001/review.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101119/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/2910/tamil/poi/1001/review.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=5 August 2018 |website=Nowrunning.com}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote "''Poi'' seems more of a self-indulgent trip for the director, crafted without any thought of audience sensibilities."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=1 January 2007 |title=Poi |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2007/12poi.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629094113/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Moviereviews/2007/12poi.asp |archive-date=29 June 2007 |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref> Lajjavathi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised the performances of star cast, music and cinematography and noted though despite some of the scenes feeling dated, she called the film as emotional struggle with true lovers.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=லஜ்ஜாவதி |date=21 January 2007 |title=பொய் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2007-01-21/page/n33/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240414143244/https://archive.org/details/kalki2007-01-21/page/n33/mode/2up |archive-date=14 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=32 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Reviewing the Telugu-dubbed version ''Abaddam'', ''[[Idlebrain.com|Idlebrain]]'' wrote that Balachander "is still capable of narrating a sensitive story very sensibly, but his commercial sense is completely out-dated".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosagadu |first=Mosagallaku |title=Abaddam |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/thegoodthebadtheugly/abaddam.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621004418/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/thegoodthebadtheugly/abaddam.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref>
 
==Release==
The film was originally scheduled to release on 6 October 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/25750.html|title=Tamil Cinema News – Tamil Movie Reviews – Tamil Movie Trailers|website=Indiaglitz.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> distributors were initially reluctant to take the film as they felt that subject was outdated but Aascar films procured the rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/sep-06-01/09-09-06-poi.html|title=Tamil movies : Prakashraj sour: still no takers for Poi|website=Behindwoods.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> Release was postponed to Diwali<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/25895.html|title=Tamil Cinema News – Tamil Movie Reviews – Tamil Movie Trailers|website=Indiaglitz.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> but finally released in December
 
===Critical reception===
Rediff wrote:"Poi is a case in point – you expect so much from Balachander, a genuine icon of Tamil filmdom; if you leave adulation aside, though, you have to say that his latest film disappoints".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/26poi.htm|title=Poi: Disappointing|website=Rediff.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> Nowrunning wrote:"Poi lacks the marks of KB's earlier films".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/2910/tamil/poi/1001/review.htm|title=Poi Review – Tamil Movie Poi Review|website=Nowrunning.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/poi/ ''Poi''] at [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{K. Balachander}}
{{K. Balachander}}
{{Prakash Raj}}
{{Biju Viswanath}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Poi (Film)}}
[[Category:2006 Indian films]]
[[Category:2006 romance films]]
[[Category:2006 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:2000s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar (composer)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vidyasagar]]
[[Category:Films shot in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romance films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:2006 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romance films]]

Latest revision as of 10:06, 3 March 2026


Poi
DVD cover
Directed byK. Balachander
Produced byPrakash Raj
Written byK. Balachander
Thamira (dialogues)
StarringUday Kiran
Vimala Raman
Music byVidyasagar
CinematographyBiju Viswanath
Production
company
Duet Movies
Release date
  • 22 December 2006 (2006-12-22)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Poi (transl. The Lie) is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by K. Balachander in his 101st and final film as a director. Produced by Prakash Raj, the film starts Uday Kiran (in his Tamil debut) and Vimala Raman (in her acting debut),[1] while Geetu Mohandas, Prakash Raj, Adithya Menon, and Avinash play supporting roles along with the director in a guest appearance.[2] The music was composed by Vidyasagar with cinematography by Biju Viswanath. The film was released on 22 December 2006.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Valluvanar (Avinash) is an upright political leader in Tamil Nadu who is much respected for his honesty and uprightness, and he refuses to compromise on this trait, even when his only son Kamban (Uday Kiran) finds himself in jail for no fault of his. The opposition party takes advantage of the situation and bails out Kamban, who joins the party, much to his father's embarrassment. The media laps it up, sensationalising it further. Kamban decides to leave the country until things cool down. Only his mother Vasuki (Anuradha Krishnamurthy), with whom he is close, is aware of this plan. Kamban arrives at Sri Lanka where he befriends Banerjee (Badava Gopi), a Bengali, and stays with him. One day, he finds a Tamil literary book on the beach, which he traces to Shilpa (Vimala Raman), the owner of the book. Shilpa is a college student preparing for civil services examination. The film juggles between reality and fiction, where Theepori, the fictitious father image of Kamban, advises him to fall in love. That sets in rolling the love story as Kamban persists in wooing Shilpa. She is staying with her brother's family. Shilpa is keen on realising her ambitions and feels that love and marriage often comes in the way of women's career. The rest of the story is about the emotional conflict between her career and love. After Vasuki's death, Valluvanar reaches Sri Lanka. Kamban is unaware of his mother's death. Shilpa's family meets Valluvanar. Meanwhile, Kamban goes to meet Shilpa to hand over the passport, but due to his friend's lie, he ends up thinking that Shilpa committed suicide. How the lie told to reunite the lovers gives the tragic end is the end of the story.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Music was composed by Vidyasagar.[3]

Song Singers Lyrics
"Azhaghana Poigale" Ranjith Vairamuthu
"Enna Tholaithai" K. S. Chithra Kirithaya
"Hitler Penne" Tippu, Sujatha Pa. Vijay
"Inge Inge Oru Paatu" Shankar Mahadevan
"Iyakkunare" Harini, Sriram Parthasarathy Kabilan
"Kandu Pidithen" K. Narayan Kirithaya
"Kannamoochi" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Kutti Kutti Kavithai" Pop Shalini Pa. Vijay
"La La La" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

Saraswathy Srinivas of Rediff.com wrote "you expect so much from Balachander, a genuine icon of Tamil filmdom; if you leave adulation aside, though, you have to say that his latest film disappoints".[4] Nowrunning wrote "Poi lacks the marks of KB's earlier films".[5] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "Poi seems more of a self-indulgent trip for the director, crafted without any thought of audience sensibilities."[6] Lajjavathi of Kalki praised the performances of star cast, music and cinematography and noted though despite some of the scenes feeling dated, she called the film as emotional struggle with true lovers.[7] Reviewing the Telugu-dubbed version Abaddam, Idlebrain wrote that Balachander "is still capable of narrating a sensitive story very sensibly, but his commercial sense is completely out-dated".[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Brahma of new wave Indian cinema K Balachander passes away". Deccan Chronicle. 24 December 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  2. "End of an era: K. Balachander (1930–2014)". The Hindu. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. "Poi". JioSaavn. 25 December 2005. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  4. Srinivas, Saraswathy (26 December 2006). "Poi: Disappointing". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. Ramachandran, Mythily (29 December 2006). "Poi Tamil Movie". Nowrunning.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  6. Mannath, Malini (1 January 2007). "Poi". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  7. லஜ்ஜாவதி (21 January 2007). "பொய்". Kalki (in தமிழ்). p. 32. Retrieved 14 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. Mosagadu, Mosagallaku. "Abaddam". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Biju Viswanath