| Director: | A. Jesudoss |
| Screenplay: | A. Jesudoss |
| Story: | Vijaya Baarati Arts |
| Producer: | Vijaya Baarati Arts |
| Starring: | Sre Rimpi Das |
| Cinematography: | Sajeth Menon |
| Editing: | J. N. Harsha |
| Music: | Bhagwat |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Paali (or Bali;) is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by A. Jesudoss and starring Sre and Rimpi Das with Azhagu and Pagala in supporting roles. The film was released on 25 May 2007 to mixed-to-negative reviews.
London Music College student Richard travels to a remote village to learn more about an instrument named Paali. Incidentally, the village chief's daughter goes by the same name. Richard and Paali eventually fall in love much to Kaarai (Richard's proposed bride)'s despise. Kaarai becomes a suspect when Richard disappears and is allegedly killed. How Richard is found and how he unites with Paali forms the rest of the story.
A. Jesudoss, previously worked as an assistant to Shaji Kailas, before making his directorial debut through this film.[1] Sre made his debut and Assamese actress Rimpi Das made her Tamil debut through this film.[2] The film was produced by Sre's home production, Vijaya Baarati Arts.[3] The film was shot in Chennai, the Nilgiris, Pondicherry, and Spain.[3] The film was named after a musical instrument played by the Nilgiri tribes, and the unique title logo of the film garnered attention.[1]
The music was composed by Bhagwat.[4] The lyrics were written by Piraisoodan, Snehan, Viveka, Yugabharathi, Tolkappiyan, and Muthuvijayan.
Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote that "Paali would have turned out better if the director was more focused on his central theme and not got distracted by irrelevant situations and forced in dance numbers".[5] A critic from Cine South wrote that "Bali is for the patient people!"[6]
After receiving feedback for the film to make the film slicker, Jesudoss reshot some scenes and released the new version on 11 June 2007.[7]