The Best movies of Tamil Cinema 2012
Often, the films are ranked based on the box office collections, but it’s a rarity to see that very few films are radically exquisite in terms of quality and prove to be a Black Horse in box office as well. We bring an exclusive peek into the year’s best films that won the hearts of audiences and favoured the producers as well.
Attakathi: While the filmmakers are incisively focussed on making films either based on rural or urban themes, newcomer Ranjith picked up a sub-urban route exhibiting the lifestyle of people across the town side. Laced with humour and romance, it’s a story of happy-go-lucky chap and his days in college.
Kalakalappu: Let’s put it this way. The man is back with a bang in his own style. It’s been a long hiatus; we got to witness out-and-out comedy from Sundar C. A multi-starrer film with an ensemble star-cast of Vimal, Shiva, Anjali and Oviya had Santhanam as the icing of cake. This was such an entertaining film that it turned to be a winner in multiplex sectors as well.
Maatraan: The theme was something beyond usual paradigms as KV Anand had picked up a concept that focalized on deteriorating factors of adulterated health drinks. Surya playing the role of conjoined twins was a trenchant act that no other actors endeavoured before. Kajal Agarwal wasn’t merely a glam-doll, but had her potentials unleashed with a brilliant performance. Credits to writers Subha for their decorous style of narration.
Marina: The beach holds a prominent place on global map for its geographical context. The second largest beach offers an elegant view to everyone, but least many of us had glimpsed upon the people that worships Marina as their motherland. Thanks to Pandiraj for a stupendous effort over throwing lights on their lives. The film introduced Sivakarthikeyan on the silver screens and it was a laudable show.
Naan Ee: He doesn’t need superstars to claim No. 1 position for his films in box office, but strongly believes in the ideas he conceptualizes. Seeking revenge and reincarnation haven’t been an out-of-box thinking, but how about a man reborn as housefly. Colossal performance by everyone, especially Sudeep and commercial elements in the narration added more intensity to the script. Hats off to filmmaker SS Rajamouli and we look forward for more movies of this groundbreaking genre.
Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom: It’s not just humorous, but emotional as well. It’s a daring attempt to make film with handpick of just 4-5 characters and locations. Newcomer Balaji surely deserves special mention for his brilliant attempt. The dialogues were so naturalistic and so are the characterizations that make the film more engrossing from beginning till end.
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi: People often look out for stress busters and director Rajesh assures them all with entertaining films every year. Following the grand success of Siva Manasula Sakthi and Boss Engira Baskaran, the director comes up with yet another fun-filled film that marked the debut of producer Udhayanidhi Stalin in lead role. Santhanam’s comedy tracks were the ultimate factors that paved for the success of this film.
Pizza: There are certain things that make a filmmaker successful, especially in horror genres. Its suspense and surprise elements, which will keep the audiences stunned and indeed urge them to watch it over and again. Filmmaker Karthik subbaraj showcased it appealingly with a spine-chilling thriller laced with eerie moments. Well, the unpredictable guess in the climax was outstanding. The film offered a gateway to fame for Vijay Sethupathy, which indeed gained more attraction for his consecutive film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom.
Sundarapandian: Sasikumar factor, the hackneyed theme of loyalty and friendship weren’t the only reason behind the success of this film, but exhibited the lifestyle of town commuters and the incidents that happen during their journey. Debutant SR Prabhakaran had interwoven the script with decorous elements that made it more likable to the universal audiences.
Thuppaki: It’s been a long time a Tamil movie joined the 100-Crore club. The finest reasons behind the tremendous success of this film was Vijay’s sudden transition to stylish looks and avoiding too loud and punch dialogues. Of course, AR Murugadoss had an astounding concept and an engrossing screenplay to keep the audiences intact from beginning till end with a heart-touching message about army.
Vazhakku Enn 18/9: Bridging gap between the art and commercial film, Balaji Sakthivel had a very good story to tell about the MMS scandals and how the technological advancement is ruining the lives of few youth groups. The story revolves around four youngsters and the suspense-filled story got lauded for the captivating message and the essence of love.
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In 2012 Kollywood saw the run of as many films, of which we have nine notable films that dealt with sensitive subjects and out-of-the-box idea. Inspiringly these films have gained audiences attention along with critics’ appraisals. Some of them were directed by debutants Sathya Siva, Aishwarya R Dhanush, Pa. Ranjith, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Karthik Subbaraj and Balaji Tharaneetharan, who stood in the competition with their seniors namely Balaji Shakthivel along with national award winning Pandiraj and Seenu Ramasamy.
Out of 150+ films released in 2012, only a handful of content-rich movies impressed the audience. Here we go with the lists 9 impressive movies that were unanimously welcomed by critics and fans alike…
’Aarohanam’: Directed by debutant Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, ‘Aarohanam’ is about free-spirited women, who under the pretext of gender, are subjected to suppression. In a male dominated industry, actor turn director Lakshmy successfully weaved a heart-warming story about the search for a missing mother by her children without exploiting the condition of any character. Viji Chandrasekhar, who played the lead in the film, swept everybody off their feet with her performance as a mother suffering from bi-polar disorder. One of the highlights of the film is that it addresses a domestic issue with unparalleled sensitivity. The film is all set to be remade in Hindi by Lakshmy herself.
’Pizza’: One of the highly successful low-budget films of this year stars Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan in the leads. Director’s cap donned by debutant Karthik Subbaraj, Pizza is a horror-thriller. Very few must’ve realized that the opening few minutes of the film subtly puts forth what is about to unfold in the next 100 minutes. Set mostly around the lead character, played by Vijay Sethupathi, the film revolves around a pizza delivery boy, whose life undergoes dramatic changes whilst on one of his delivery trips. A deft screenplay by Karthik and haunting score by Santosh Narayanan elevate the experience of the film to insurmountable heights, while Vijay’s performance was impeccable. The film’s rights have been bought in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Bejoy Nambiar of ‘Shaitan’ fame will produce the film in Hindi.
’Neerparavai’: This seabird couldn’t have soared high had it not been for the strong backing of director Seenu Ramaswamy. Without diving in deep into the suffering of fishermen, “Neerparavai” sensitively addresses a burning issue. Seenu intelligently marries humor with tragedy to provide a sense of relief overall, while his cast, apt to the context of the film, performed with ease and composure. Raghunandan’s music was soothing to the ears and his re-recording in particular demands a mention. Balasubramaniem’s cinematography captures the splendor of the fishermen’s hamlet and sea adeptly and leaves behind strong impression in the viewers. Nandita Das brief performance breathes life into the seabird.
’Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom’ [NKPK]: An all new cast and a highly entertaining creative script make NKPK one of the best comedies of the year. Never before in Tamil cinema, was male bonhomie celebrated like it was commemorated in this film. When one among four friends happens to forget the last few years of his life along with short-term memory loss after suffering a fatal fall, it is up to his friends to cover the truth and get him married. Despite being close to three hours long, NKPK didn’t let the audiences down with its overall comical presentation. Laced with non-stop humour, this film is proof to the expertise of debutant director Balaji Tharaneetharan. A simple story concocted with humor and friendship worked brilliantly in the favour of the film.
’Marina’: Despite the presence of lead actors Siva Karthikeyan and Oviya Helen, director Pandiraj’s ‘Marina’ boasts itself as a no-hero, no-heroine film. Set against the backdrop of Marina beach in Chennai, it’s the story of those who depend on the beach for a livelihood. Some may complain that this film has too many stories to tell, but the crux of this film lies in the malodorous reality that’s aptly captured through lens of the cinematographer Vijay. In essence, this film presents you with the opportunity to look at the once healthy environment that we’ve polluted over the years.
‘3’: After gaining sudden hype with ‘Why this Kolaveri di’ track Dhanush and Shruthi Haasan starred 3 couldn’t get much appraisals from the viewers. Directed by Superstar Rajinikanth’s elder daughter Aishwarya R Dhanush, 3 is filmed on the bi-polar disease. 3 has opened the doors for Anirudh Ravichandran as music composer and the young music director has saw a rush of projects after his Kolaveri track has taken world by storm. Noticing the international craze of Kolaveri di, 3 was recently screened at [IFFK] International Film Festival of Kerala, 12th New York Indian Film Festival and 43rd International Film Festival of India [IFFI].
‘Attakathi’: Studio Greens presented Attakathi directed Pa Ranjith, a former assistant of Venkat Prabhu. Featuring debutant Dinakaran and Nandita Attakathi deals with the realistic proposals of college going youngsters set in North Chennai milieu. Santhosh Narayanan has excelled with his music and background scores and cinematography by P.K. Varma is another highlight of Attakathi, as the cameraman has set up the movie well in earthy and realistic surroundings.
‘Kazhugu’: Sathyasiva directed Kazhugu is the one of the 2012 released films that was opened with limited screens, but picked up well increasing the screens and audiences gradually, even when getting mixed reviews from the earlier viewers. Kazhugu has won critics applauses for the plot and performances of Krishna, Bindhu Madhavi, Thambi Ramaiah and Karunas. Kazhugu is the love story between a dead bodies collector Sera played by Krishna and Bindhu Madhavi, a girl in the village who falls for Sera [Krishna] who is bad at heart and emotions.
‘Vazhakku Enn 18/9’: Vazhakku Enn 18/9 is one more critically acclaimed movie of 2012 directed by Balaji Sakthivel, which also won the special jury award in 10th CIFF held recently in Chennai. Thirupathi Brothers produced Vazhakku Enn 18/9 has done pretty well with South audiences, being the movie driven from the lives of present youth. Seeing the successful run of Vazhakku Enn 18/9, N. Lingusamy is also planning the Hindi remake of the film that revolves around the MMS scandals among the youngsters.
Besides many big and small films released during 2012, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan’s Aarohanam, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, Seenu Ramasamy’s Neerparavai, Krishna’s Kazhugu, Attakathi, Dhanush’s 3, Balaji Shakthivel’s Vazhakku Enn 18/9, Vijay Sethupathi’s Pizza, Pandiraj’s Marina are the critically acclaimed films of 2012. From the above list Vazhakku Enn 18/9, Attakathi, Pizza, Aarohanam and Neerparavai were also screened in 10th Chennai International Film Festival [CIFF] and got praised by international technicians even.
Kollywood has seen a huge set of about 150+ films released during 2012 till December 28, the last Friday of the year and viewers can watch reviews at Way2movies.com. Out of all the 2012 Tamil releases, only 7 movies have completed their successful run of 100 days namely Vijay’s Nanban, Muppozhuthum Un Karpanaigal [MUK], MGR’s Karnan, Dhanush’s 3, Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Oru Kal Oru Kannadi [OKOK], Siva Karthikeyan’s Manam Kothi Paravai and last but not least Sasikumar’s Sundarapandiyan.
First film to celebrate 100 days was Shankar directed Nanban starred by Ilayathalapathy Vijay, Srikanth, Jeeva and Ileana that was released on 12th January. Might be a remake of Bollywood blockbuster film ‘3 Idiots’, but Nanban has created its own place in the hearts of Tamil audiences, being a multi-starrer with Vijay and Jeeva. Following this many small and big films such as Vettai, Marina, Dhoni, Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Yeppadi et al. have released in between, but Atharvaa and Amala Paul featured Muppozhuthum Un Karpanaigal [MUK] has recorded the second film to make successful 100 days run in K-town, which was released during February 17th.
After Jan and Feb released Nanban and MUK, the movie that has world famous ‘Why this Kolaveri di..’ track, 3 was the third film to complete 100 days among the other movies theatered during the first half of 2012. Released on 30th March, 3 is the directorial debut of Supersatar Rajinikanth’s elder daughter Aishwarya R Dhanush featuring Dhanush and Shruthi Haasan in the lead roles. Joining the list next comes April 13th released Oru Kal Oru Kannadi. OKOK is the memorable hero debut by producer Udhayanidhi Stalin in the direction of M. Rajesh. Hansika has paired opposite Udhay in OKOK while Santhanam has provided the comic intervals in this successful comedy caper produced by Red Giant Movies banner.
Meanwhile, Kollywood has enjoyed the release of many noted films like Andrew Louis’s romantic film Leelai, N. Lingusamy’s Vazhakku Enn 18/9, Sundar C’s Kalakalappu and many, which failed to complete their successful run of 100 days at box-office and Siva karthikeyan-Aathmiya’s Manam Kothi Paravai, has stood as the winner completing 100 days on the big screens. Being the mid-season for Tamil releases, only 16 films have hit the mega screens throughout June and July 2012 intervening with 3 biggies Karthi-Praneetha’s Saguni, Nani-Samantha-Sudeep’s Naan Ee and Ajith’s Billa 2 explicitly, which acquired super success with their audios and got good remunerations but couldn’t make a long run.
After the much acclaimed biggies, 2012 August has seen a rush of 22 movies. Of which none could make their presence felt other than Attakathi, Naan and Mugamoodi, but couldn’t stay longer in the race with up-comings like Srikanth-Janani Iyer’s Paagan, Priyamani’s Charulatha, Vikram’s Thaandavam with Anushka, Amy Jackson and AL Vijay and Samuthirakani’s Saattai et al, which bombed at the Chennai box-office and only Sasikumar’s Sundarapandian directed by newbie Prabhakaran stood as a winner completing 100 days run recently on 21st December.
Coming to Kollywood releases in the later half, Sridevi’s come back English Vinglish, KV Anand’s Maatran with Suriya and Kajal Agarwal, Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan starred Pizza directed by newbie Karthik Subbaraj, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan’s Aarohanam, Thangar Bachchan’s Ammavin kaipesi, Vijay-AR Murugadoss’s Thuppakki, Simbu’s Podaa Podi the debut of Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, National Award winning director Seenu Ramaswamy’s Neerparavai with Vishnu and Sunaina, Gautham Menon’s Neethane En Ponvasantham [NEP], Vikram Prabhu’s debut film Kumki with Lakshmi Menon along with many small cinemas have seen the day light. But Pizza, Thuppakki, Podaa Podi, Neerparavai, Kumki, Neethane En Ponvasantham have topped the lists, while viewers have to keep checking the space to know which movies have made their good run of 100 days.
Among the 2012 Tamil films Oru Kal Oru Kannadi, Thuppakki, Sundarapandian and Kumki are said to be the blockbuster hits with total return of investments [ROI] with slight profits. While Rajamouli’s Kollywood debut Naan Ee, Pizza and Kalakalappu are witnessed as Superhits, Siddharth’s Kadhalil Sodhapuvadu Yeppadi [KSY], Siva karthikeyan’s Marina and Manam Kothi Paravai are hits and the remaining films like Attakathi, Vazhakku Enn 18/9, Naan, Kazhugu, Saatai, Nanban and Neerparavai are said to be average and above average hits at the Chennai box-office based on their ROI.
The year 2011 has successfully come up with many blockbusters, commercial hits, stunning performances and surprising hits out of which we are presenting you some of them listed below for you.
Now, let us check out the Kollywood hit films during the year 2011…..
Movie–Aadukalam
Starring— Dhanush, Tapsee
Released—January 14th
Status—Super Hit
The movie was blockbuster as it is a true story with good presentation by the lead pair. Pongal released movie Aadukalam had won National award for Dhanush. The film connected well with the audiences for its grittiness, undeniable charm and sorrow. The film was made on a budget of Rs 18 crore and the trade reports reveal that the film has collected Rs 30.75 crore. Means, The film grossed almost 30 crores at the box office.
Movie—Siruthai
Starring—Karthi, Tamannah
Released—January 14th
Status–Super Hit
The positives of the film are comedy by Rocket Raja character and the serious action by Ratnavelu Pandian. Songs are okay, apt dialogues and nice background music has brought the film to top list. The minus points are too much of mass scenes and climax could have been much better, otherwise the movie might be a box-office hit.
Movie—Kaavalan
Starring—Vijay, Asin
Released—January 16th
Status–Hit
A feel good family entertainer Kaavalan had experienced a fantastic come back from Ilayathalapathy Vijay. Kaavalan is the remake picture of Malayalam film Bodyguard. It proved that a remake of a proven hit with local nativity is always a safe bet. Audiences absolutely loved the twist in the tale. Kaavalan became a box office success by collecting 87 lakhs in three weeks. The film has completed 200 days successfully all over Tamil Nadu.
Movie–KO
Starring–Jeeva, Karthika
Released—April 22nd
Status–Super Hit
One can’t move his eyes from the screens as the movie engages the audiences with a well designed story as confessed by K.V.Anand. KO is a correct mix of peppy numbers with blossoming locales and action sequences which marked the surprise hit. KO has been budgeted for 15 crores, while it has collected 50 crores from the audiences.
Movie—Vaanam
Starring—Silambarasan, Anushka
Released—April 29th
Status–Hit
Hats off to director Krish and the unit members of Vaanam, for bringing out such a heart touching movie by casting Simbu and Anushka. The lead pair should be appreciated for accepting this kind of movies, which doesn’t give them any commercial mileage. The audiences should be appreciated for making Vaanam a hit.
Movie—Deiva Thirumagal
Starring—Vikram, Anushka Shetty, Sara
Released—July 15th
Status–Hit
Deiva Thirumagal is an emotional and interesting film that would send positive vibes among those who love meaningful films. Vikram’s performance with child actress Sara was wonderful. The wonderful performances of the stars with interesting storyline made Deiva Thirumagal participate in hit race.
Movie–Avan Ivan
Starring—Vishal Krishna, Arya, Janani Iyer, Madhu Shalini
Released—June 17th
Status—Super Hit
Avan Ivan is a sensible tale with award winning performances. The action sequences are true to reality, believable, very effective and realistic, which resulted in the positive talk for the movie. Avan Ivan was a bilingual release in Tamil and Telugu, which received rave reviews from audiences. The film opened across 350 screens in Tamil Nadu and collected 89, 03,727 in the opening weekend at the Chennai box office and this is the largest opening weekend of 2011. The box office collections were at Rs. 37, 68,204 over the weekend with a total of 2.23 crore.
Movie—Kanchana
Starring— Raghava Lawrence, Lakshmi Rai and others
Released—July 22nd
Status–Blockbuster
Kanchana is not different from Muni. The only difference that made the movie go blockbuster is Raghava’s better execution when compared to Muni. The movie is complete mass entertainer including horror and sentiments along with comedy which attracted lady audiences.
Movie–Mankatha
Starring—Ajith, Trisha, Arjun, Lakshmi Rai
Released–August 31st
Status–Blockbuster
Ajith’s Mankatha was a blockbuster due to his fantastic performance and the openings. The movie has all the entertaining elements like mystery & suspense, drama, action and adventure. Added to that it was a solo release and got a five-day holiday weekend these sequences and Ajith’s fame resulted in Mankatha’s blockbuster. Mankatha became a box office success by collecting a gross of 130 crores in its total run, while the film is produced using only 40 crores.
Movie–Engeyum Eppothum
Starring—Sarvanand, Ananya, Jai, Anjali
Released—September 16th
Status—Super Hit
Debutant director Saravanan’s film on a bus accident with two parallel love stories with Jai- Anjali & Sarvanand – Ananya in the lead along with fresh music worked wonders. The movie has high humors that make everyone go off seats to laugh. This marked Engeyum Eppothum a silent hit.
Movie–Velayudham
Starring–Vijay, Genelia D’Souza, Hansika, Saranya Mohan
Released—October 26th
Status–Hit
Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Velayudham is for mass entertainment lovers. Velayudham is a remake picture of Telugu actor Nagarjuna’s Azad. Vijay’s one-man show had the audiences lapping it up along with Genelia’s performance had come out in films success.
Movie–7am Arivu
Starring—Suriya, Shruthi Hassan
Released—October 26th
Status—Super Hit
Murugadoss should be applauded for coming up with such a novel idea but the director seems to have lacked in imagination to pull off the concept on screens. Movies promotions and performances of Suriya & Shruthi worked in favour for the movie to make it a hit.
Movie–Mayakkam Enna
Starring—Dhanush, Richa Gangopadhaya
Released—November 25th
Status—Super Hit
Selvaraghavan had chosen a fresh, unique and distinct concept, which made Mayakkam Enna a Super Hit film. An experimental subject essayed in a commercial format by Dhanush and Richa.
Tamil cinema can boast of a good 2012 with many interesting films being released this year.
Many of them were small films made by new directors with lesser known actors. The success of these films show that content is king.
5. Kumki
Director: Prabhu Solomon
Star Cast: Vikram Prabhu, Lakshmi Menon
After Mynaa, much was expected of Prabhu Solomon.
And he did not disappoint with Kumki, the story of the friendship between an elephant and its mahout.
In fact, the film, shot beautifully by K Sukumar, tells the tale so sensitively that everybody has fallen in love with it.
4. Marina
Director: Pandiraj
Cast: Siva Karthikeyan, Oviya
Filmmaker Pandiraj made the National award winner Pasanga.
Marina, made on the lives of the kids who make a living selling items to tourists is a touching tale told in a simple manner.
Marina is a beautiful, sensitive film
3. Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi
Director: Balaji Mohan
Star Cast: Siddharth, Amala Paul
This young romantic love story is directed by another first timer, Balaji Mohan.
His short film on YouTube impressed actor Siddharth, who decided to produce the film with cinematographer Nirav Shah.
The cute love story made in both Tamil and Telugu, with Siddharth and Amala Paul in the lead, was universally applauded.
2. Pizza
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeesan
Pizza, written and directed by debutant Karthik Subbaraj surprised critics and audiences alike.
The subject — a day in the life of a pizza delivery boy — and the treatment are so novel that the remake rights of the film were sold for a huge amount to not only south Indian film makers but also Hindi.
Pizza is the surprise hit of 2012.
1. Film: Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (Case Number 18/9)
Director: Balaji Saktivel
Cast: Mithuin Murali, Sri
Balaji Sakthivel became a well known name in Tamil with his film Kaadhal, a teenage love story. With Vazhakku Enn 18/9 he has shown that he is a name to reckon with.
There was nothing unusual about the story of Vazhakku Enn 18/9, but the screenplay was different.
The innovative narration based on a complex screenplay carried the day.
The best film of the year.