{{No plot|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = Paalai poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Senthamizhan | producer = T. Ravi | starring = Sunil Kumar<br />Shammu | cinematography = Abinandhan Ramanujam | music = Ved Shankar | studio = Semmai Productions | released = {{Film date|2011|11|25|df=y}} | country = India | language = Tamil }}
'''''Paalai''''' ({{translation|Desert}})<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=It looks advantage DMK in Tirunelveli |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/loksabha2014/it-looks-advantage-dmk-in-tirunelveli/article5906068.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331100621/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/loksabha2014/it-looks-advantage-dmk-in-tirunelveli/article5906068.ece |archive-date=31 March 2026 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref> is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language historical drama written and directed by Senthamizhan, who had previously assisted director Ram in ''Kattradhu Thamizh''. Set in the Sangam period, the film stars debutant Sunil Kumar and Shammu in pivotal roles. It was released on 25 November 2011.
== Cast == *Sunil Kumar as Valan *Shammu as Kaayampoo *Prof. V. Natarajan *Jayan *Krishnagiri *Julu
== Production == The film was shot extensively in the forests of Thanjavur, Mysore and Sathyamangalam. Shammu was the only professional actress to be cast in the film, which featured mostly newcomers, including Sunil, the lead actor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2011 |title=Shammu in a pre-historic film |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shammu-in-a-pre-historic-film-news-tamil-lffmrQhcffe.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508125103/http://www.sify.com/movies/shammu-in-a-pre-historic-film-news-tamil-lffmrQhcffe.html |archive-date=8 May 2011 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 May 2011 |title=Shammu's journey to the past |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Shammus-journey-to-the-past/articleshow/8176480.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228094223/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Shammus-journey-to-the-past/articleshow/8176480.cms |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=19 September 2019 |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> It became the actress's final signed film before she left the film industry to complete her education.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2011 |title=Shammu bids adieu to Kollywood, flies back to U.S. |url=http://www.tamilkey.com/shammu-bids-adieu-to-kollywood-flies-back-to-u-s.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415110308/http://www.tamilkey.com/shammu-bids-adieu-to-kollywood-flies-back-to-u-s.html |archive-date=15 April 2014 |access-date=14 April 2014 |work=Tamilkey}}</ref> Members of the Irula tribe also acted in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paalai is the first pre-historic film |url=http://www.vnmusicdreams.com/page.html?lang=&artid=1314 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415044952/http://www.vnmusicdreams.com/page.html?lang=&artid=1314 |archive-date=15 April 2014 |access-date=14 April 2014 |work=VN Music Dreams}}</ref> Ved Shankar, in his debut, composed the music.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 July 2012 |title=Audio Beat: Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/audio-beat-naduvula-konjam-pakkatha-kaanom/article3666067.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225134330/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/audio-beat-naduvula-konjam-pakkatha-kaanom/article3666067.ece |archive-date=25 February 2025 |access-date=31 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
== Release == ''Paalai'' was released in theatres on 25 November 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2011 |title=Friday Fury- November 25 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/friday-fury-november-25-news-tamil-llzkU9hdgbj.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128030207/http://www.sify.com/movies/friday-fury-november-25-news-tamil-llzkU9hdgbj.html |archive-date=28 November 2011 |access-date=17 March 2026 |website=Sify |language=en}}</ref> The film was privately screened in Norway on 18 December and was prepared for a general 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2011 |title=Paalai set for release in Norway |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Paalai-set-for-release-in-Norway/articleshow/11178489.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228093835/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Paalai-set-for-release-in-Norway/articleshow/11178489.cms |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=14 April 2014 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> ''Dinamani'' praised almost all aspects of the film, including the direction, cinematography, music and cast performances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2011 |title=விமர்சனம்: பாலை |url=http://www.dinamani.com/cinema/article635398.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728183550/http://www.dinamani.com/cinema/article635398.ece |archive-date=28 July 2014 |access-date=5 February 2016 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref> ''Ananda Vikatan'' praised the film for authentically recreating the Sangam period with minimal costs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2011 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம் : பாலை |url=https://www.vikatan.com/humour-and-satire/cinema/13319--2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331101016/https://www.vikatan.com/humour-and-satire/cinema/13319--2 |archive-date=31 March 2026 |access-date=31 March 2026 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist|}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title}}
Category:2010s historical drama films Category:2011 films Category:2011 Indian films Category:2011 Tamil-language films Category:Films scored by Ved Shankar Category:Films set in ancient India Category:Films shot in Mysore Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu Category:Indian historical drama films Category:Tamil-language historical drama films Category:Tamil-language Indian films