{ "id": "epawrphpx0", "slug": "kizhakke-pogum-rail", "title": "Kizhakke Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Kizhakke Pogum Rail (Eastbound Train), 1978 Tamil romantic drama, Bharathiraja's second film after 16 Vayathinile; debuts of Sudhakar and Radhika, Ilaiyaraaja music, released 10 August 1978, remade as Toorpu Velle Railu.", "snippet": "Kizhakke Pogum Rail (Eastbound Train), 1978 Tamil romantic drama, Bharathiraja's second film after 16 Vayathinile; debuts of Sudhakar and Radhika, Ilaiyaraaja music, released 10 August 1978, remade as Toorpu Velle Railu.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "markdown": "# Kizhakke Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)\n\n**Kizhakke Pogum Rail** (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில், \"Eastbound Train\") is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by [Bharathiraja](https://www.edgepedia.org/bharathiraja) and starring newcomers Sudhakar and Radhika in their acting debuts, with music composed by [Ilaiyaraaja](https://www.edgepedia.org/ilaiyaraaja). It was released on 10 August 1978 and is the second film of Bharathiraja, following his debut *16 Vayathinile*.[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) • [2](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/reviews/) • [3](https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/tamil/cinereporters-epaper-cinerepo/48%2Baandukal%2Bniraivu%2Bseytha%2Bkizhakke%2Bbokum%2Brayil-newsid-n722762751)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 10 August 1978, Tamil language, U certificate in India[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n| Director and writers | Directed by Bharathiraja; story by R. Selvaraj; screenplay by Bharathiraja[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n| Lead debuts | Sudhakar as Paranjothi and Radhika as Panchali, both in their first film roles[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/reviews/) • [4](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kizhake-pogum-rail/20060631/main/) |\n| Music | Ilaiyaraaja; lyricists include Gangai Amaran, K. Bhagyaraj, Kannadasan, and Pulavar Muthulingam[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n| Production | S. A. Rajkannu for Sri Amman Creations, which also distributed the film[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n| Runtime | 2 hours 12 minutes[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n| Remake | Remade in Telugu as *Toorpu Velle Railu*, with Mohan[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Story and setting\n\nThe film is set in a small village adjoining a railway track. Its title character, the train heading east, is itself part of the story: Bharathiraja later described the original version of the script as opening at a village railway station where a young woman waits and asks when the eastbound train will arrive.[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) • [5](https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/588517-bharathirajaa-rathika.html)\n\nIn the released plot, Paranjothi (Sudhakar) is a young aspiring writer whom the villagers ridicule because he lacks the skills for ordinary work. He meets Panchali (Radhika), a girl who understands his predicament, and the two form a bond. The village's narrow-minded attitudes, traditions, and customs come between the lovers, and they must fight the system to have any chance of living together.[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) • [4](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kizhake-pogum-rail/20060631/main/)\n\nThe supporting cast includes [Goundamani](https://www.edgepedia.org/goundamani) as Panchali's brother-in-law, [Janagaraj](https://www.edgepedia.org/janagaraj) and Vijayan as panchayat members, Ganthimathi as Panchali's sister Karuthamma, and [K. Bhagyaraj](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-bhagyaraj) in a special appearance. Bharathiraja's technical team included cinematographer P. S. Nivas and editor T. Thirunavukkarasu.[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil) • [4](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kizhake-pogum-rail/20060631/main/)\n\n## Production\n\nBharathiraja made the film immediately after the success of his debut *16 Vayathinile*, again for producer S. A. Rajkannu of Amman Creations, and the story came from his friend R. Selvaraj. Bharathiraja has said that the original story and the version seen on screen differ considerably.[3](https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/tamil/cinereporters-epaper-cinerepo/48%2Baandukal%2Bniraivu%2Bseytha%2Bkizhakke%2Bbokum%2Brayil-newsid-n722762751) • [5](https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/588517-bharathirajaa-rathika.html)\n\nThe [Dailyhunt](https://www.edgepedia.org/dailyhunt) retrospective on the film's anniversary notes that, as in his first film, Bharathiraja again gave a central object a narrative role: where *16 Vayathinile* had used a peacock, here the train carried an important part in the story, and the dialogue was assisted by K. Bhagyaraj.[3](https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/tamil/cinereporters-epaper-cinerepo/48%2Baandukal%2Bniraivu%2Bseytha%2Bkizhakke%2Bbokum%2Brayil-newsid-n722762751)\n\n## Music\n\nIlaiyaraaja composed the film's soundtrack and background score, and he remained involved with Bharathiraja's early village dramas as their recurring composer. The song \"Kovil Mani Osai\" from the film is included in Saregama's Carvaan Lite Tamil song list.[6](https://nsrgm-www.saregama.com/carvaan/lite/tamil/songlist) An EMI vinyl EP of the soundtrack at 33⅓ rpm remains in circulation among collectors.[7](https://www.paradiseaudiophile.com/product-page/kizhake-pogum-rail-by-ilaiyaraaja-vinyl-ep-33-3-rpm-emi)\n\n## Reception and legacy\n\nThe film established both of its debutant leads. Radhika's performance as Panchali made her one of [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema)'s leading actresses, and she went on to work with stars including [Rajinikanth](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajinikanth), Vijayakanth, and Sarathkumar.[8](https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/amp/story/cinema/---eastbound-train----42nd-anniversary-celebration--bharathiraja--radhika-flexibility) On the film's 42nd anniversary in 2020, Bharathiraja marked the milestone with a message to Radhika about carrying the 16-year-old Panchali's journey, and she replied crediting his words.[8](https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/amp/story/cinema/---eastbound-train----42nd-anniversary-celebration--bharathiraja--radhika-flexibility)\n\nThe film's climax, in which lovers catch a departing train, has been cited by viewers as an early use of a device later associated with *Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge* (1995).[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/reviews/) Reviewers on [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) continue to describe the film as a rural love story rooted in its characters and setting, with Ilaiyaraaja's music and the ending singled out, and one critic noted that it depicts Paranjothi as a talented young man constrained by his caste identity more than by any lack of ability.[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/reviews/) • [9](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/) Audience scores on aggregate pages run around 78 out of 100.[4](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kizhake-pogum-rail/20060631/main/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Kizhakke Pogum Rayil (1978), Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/kizhakke-pogum-rayil)\n2. [Reviews of Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/reviews/)\n3. [48 ஆண்டுகள் நிறைவு செய்த கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில், Cine Reporters via Dailyhunt](https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/tamil/cinereporters-epaper-cinerepo/48%2Baandukal%2Bniraivu%2Bseytha%2Bkizhakke%2Bbokum%2Brayil-newsid-n722762751)\n4. [Kizhakke Pogum Rail - Movie, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kizhake-pogum-rail/20060631/main/)\n5. [இயக்குநர் பாரதிராஜாவின் 'கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்' அனுபவங்கள், Hindu Tamil](https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/588517-bharathirajaa-rathika.html)\n6. [Carvaan Lite Tamil - Song List, Saregama](https://nsrgm-www.saregama.com/carvaan/lite/tamil/songlist)\n7. [Kizhakke Pogum Rail by Ilaiyaraaja Vinyl EP 33.3 rpm - EMI, Paradise Audiophile](https://www.paradiseaudiophile.com/product-page/kizhake-pogum-rail-by-ilaiyaraaja-vinyl-ep-33-3-rpm-emi)\n8. ['கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்' 42 ஆம் ஆண்டு கொண்டாட்டம், Puthiyathalaimurai](https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/amp/story/cinema/---eastbound-train----42nd-anniversary-celebration--bharathiraja--radhika-flexibility)\n9. [Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) directed by Bharathiraja, Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/kizhakke-pogum-rail/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films before 2000 › Released 1952 to 1991*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Kizhakke Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Kizhakke Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)](https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail](https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Kizhakke Pogum Rail (கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kizhakke-pogum-rail. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Kizhakke Pogum Rail, 1978 Tamil romantic drama, Bharathiraja's second film after 16 Vayathinile; debuts of Sudhakar and Radhika, Ilaiyaraaja music, released 10 August 1978, remade as Toorpu Velle Railu." }