Irudhi suttru
The film was a refreshing boxing drama that tugged at everyone’s hearts. Madhavan played a boxing coach who stumbles upon Ritika Singh and believes there is potential in her to become a champion. What made the movie fresh was that it did not go about the usual Chak De route, instead the movie was funny with relationships and emotions playing a major role in the screenplay. The film did tick off issues like politics in sports and sexual harassment but did not dwell on them to make it a usual sports movie.
Joker
A brilliant political satire that exposed the loopholes in our system with a pinch of humour. Director Raju Murugan who made his directorial debut with ‘Kuckoo’ is known for the way of presenting ‘drama ‘ and he has once again proved himself with ‘Joker’. The casting and music added spirit to the story, which the film was most praised for. The exposition and an interesting flashback had the audience engaged throughout the movie. The protagonist ‘Mannan’, who takes interest in social issues is considered as a retard. But when his past is revealed, the director made sure that the audience would be able to feel the agony and helplessness that the character faces in the movie. Irrespective of its collection at the box office, the movie was successful in having communicated the intended message of creating awareness about the importance of sanitation. Salute to the director for bringing out an issue that was not thrown light on.
Kabali
Superstar Rallnikanth’s Kaball was easily the most hyped movie in the recent times with first day first show ticket pricing soaring rocket high. Thalaivar fans thronged the theatres to watch their favorite star in action. Even though the movie opened to mixed reviews, the film was a blockbuster hit! The movie has the highest worldwide opening day record for any Indian movie. While the movie disappointed the audience with its execution and screenplay, it still managed to bring numbers at the box office.
Amma Kanakku
A light-hearted film with more of emotions and drama has conveyed its intended meaning with its cast and direction. The relationship between a single mother who is a maid and her 15-year-old daughter who is in her 10th grade is portrayed simply beautiful. The need for education, which the mother wants her daughter to realize goes an extra mile by joining her daughter at the school is a thoughtful yet sensible idea. Director Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, who made the original version of this film in Hindi (Nil Battey Sannata) has made a decent remake having focus on what was to be conveyed. Amala Paul, Revathi and all the other actors have done justice to their characters. Though the movie did not do well at the box office, the message that the story conveys definitely makes it to the top list.
Chennai 28 II
An impeccable entertainment package easily made it to the list with its fun packed cast and music. The generation that was able to relate to Chennai 28 will doubtlessly be able to relate to its second part. The humour reigns the movie while the obstacles keep the story moving. While the shark guys are no more single and have their own responsibilities and individual lives, they get back together in order to save one of their friend’s life. Needless to say, Venkat Prabhu has smartly inculcated nostalgic moments with dialogues from his old films and the ‘Soppana Sundhari’ song highlights it all.
Acham Yenbadhu Madamaiyadaa
Acham Yenbadhu Madamaiyadaa populary known as AYM was one of the most awaited movie post the release of its lovely song album. The trailer and songs kept the audience in wait for a young refreshing romantic drama and the movie turned out to give something different. A blend of romance and action that shifted from a breezy love story to a power packed action thriller in the second half did not leave the audience in awe unlike Gautham Menon’s other films. The movie made it to the list of the top movies with Gautham Menon’s style of movie making that had panoramic shots, the girl next door love story and the love for bikes that added magic to the movie.
Thozha
It is a remake of a critically acclaimed and successful French comedy ‘The Intouchables’. The beautiful portrayal of the friendship between a quadriplegic billionaire and his care-taker who is the opposite of him. Though the movie was not considered a great remake by the critics, as a Tamil film starring Karthi along with Nagarjuna after almost a decade along, with humour, drama and emotions, it was one of the most appreciated film by the audience.
Theri
A perfect blend of drama, action, romance and humour doubtlessly made it to the box office and ultimately to the top movies of the year. The essence of emotions and the suspense of a thriller was perfectly brewed. Baby Nainika’s sweet dialogues delivered in her kittenish voice made sure that the audiences were melted by the father-daughter relationship. The short but meaningful presence of Samantha kept the emotions and romance in the needed level. The storyline was a mix of cliched concepts but most of all, it was a perfect entertainer which gained great reception from the family audience.
Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum
It is a remake of the Korean film ‘My Dear Desperado’, finely restructured for the Tamil audience. Director Nalan Kumarasamy, post his brilliant hit ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ was back with an entirely different idea with the same set of technicians and artists. The uncomprehensible relationship between a low class thug and an IT professional is slowly communicated. Vijay Sethupathi who was the most apt for the role kept the audience engaged with his acting. Madonna Sebastin’s dialogues and situations were very relatable, because of which the movie was considered to be restructured for the Tamil audience perfectly. From the scene where she sits in the park, narrates how she had to leave her house for an individual life and what are the advantages and disadvantages of a city life as a girl, the director has nailed it. The subtle humour and Black comedy in the film is simply brilliant.
Kuttrame Thandanai
Post an interesting debut with ‘Kaaka Muttai’, Director Manikandan’s film ‘Kuttramae Thandanai’ was a different attempt. Like the name suggests, Crime is Punishment (Kuttramae Thandanai) is the ultimate message the movie conveys. It subtly communicates the message that a normal man’s immoral decisions taken during the hard times cannot be justified as they are immoral anyway. The movie doesn’t summon that your wrong deeds get back to you but gives a warning saying “Shit may happen at times!”