List of top Tamil-language films

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Popular Tamil films (in reverse chronological order) claim is made that these are the best Tamil films , though many of fans' all-time favorites will be found on this list. However, the non-Indian explorer of Tamil cinema industry will learn a fair bit about Tamil film history and conventions by watching these films. The list is biased towards recent films, but this may be an advantage for some users of the list, as the recent films are more likely to be found in video rental stores. Submissions of notable older films are invited.

When box office data is available, the list gives the top-grossing films of the year, or decade. There are also lists of the critically-acclaimed films, as determined by combining lists from the film review sites (Galatta, Behindwoods and Sify) linked below.

The capsule reviews are written in the usual brief television-film-schedule style. More complete reviews, lists of stars and director, &c., can be found by clicking on links to films that have their own pages.

Contents

[edit] 2000 Onwards

[edit] 2007

[edit] Top-grossing films of 2007

  • Sivaji: The Boss: Entertainment targeted film starring Rajinikanth, Shriya Saran, and directed by S. Shankar. Became the biggest blockbuster in the history of South Indian cinema as well as becoming the first regional Indian film to reach the Top 10 at the UK Box-office.

[edit] Critically acclaimed films of 2007

[edit] Top grossers of 2006

  • Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu: This is a high budget and a stylish urban action thriller. The movie explored concepts that are unknown to the Tamil audience like homosexuality and took Tamil Cinema to greater heights. Stars Kamal Haasan, Jyothika, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Prakash Raj and directed by Gautham Menon. It has music by Harris Jeyaraj The songs are all chartbusters. The film was mostly shot in New York and is about a Gutsy Police Officer who is on the trail of a rampant serial killer. Appreciated by one and all this movie has taken the Tamil cine industry to hitherto unknown levels. The film's total gross is estimated at Rs.40 crores.
  • Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi: This is a big-budget Tamil film directed by newcomer Chimbudeven. The film stars veteran comedian Vadivelu, Tejashree and Monica in the lead roles with Manorama and Nagesh in critical roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Sabesh-Murali. It is a laugh riot and been labelled a hysterical historical. This is a movie directed by Chimbudeven and produced by S Pictures.

[edit] Critically Acclaimed Films

  • Chithiram Pesuthadi: Chithiram Pesuthadi, a film made with basically no huge stars, i.e. Narain and Bhavana turned out to be a smash hit at the box office due to its unique plot, presentation and the highly successful song, Vazha Meenu.
  • Em Mahan: Though embarking on an average start releasing along the much hyped Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, debutant director Thirumurugan's family entertainer turned out to be a success at the box office. The film starred Bharath and Gopika in lead roles

[edit] 2005

  • Ghajini: Inspired by the English language film, Memento, the film tells the tale of a formerly rich Mobile company owner, played by Surya, who is seeking out on a mission for revenge after the death of his girlfriend, Asin. The film was a bigger hit when dubbed in in Tollywood than in Kollywood. It played for 147 days in metros.It is the biggest blockbuster in Surya's career.
  • Thirupaachi: This is a racy entertainer. It was the first film by Perarasu (director). This movie ran for more than 200 days and created many records. This movie stars Vijay and Trisha.
  • Sivakasi: This is another mass masala entertainer for the 2nd time by the duo Vijay - Perarasu and the film ran for 119 days in metros.

[edit] Critically acclaimed films

[edit] 2004

  • Ghilli: A remake of the Tollywood super hit Okkadu, director Dharani brought Vijay and Trisha together for this fast-paced family audience entertainer. The film ran for more than 225 days in theatres.The film collected a distributors' share of Rs.18 crores.[9]It is the biggest blockbuster in Vijay's career.

For a bird's eye view of the top films in 2004, see [10] and [11]

[edit] Critically-acclaimed films

  • Virumaandi: This film is directed and acted by Kamal Haasan and also stars Abirami, Napolean, Pasupathy. It is a critically acclaimed film which is a violent village drama. It won the Best Asian Film Award of the year.

[edit] 2003

  • Saamy: This movie played for 125 days. Vikram and Trisha are a married couple who fall in love when Vikram moves branch from Chennai to Tirunelveli. Vikram plays a cop for the first time.The film did a business of Rs.15 crores at the box office.[13]
  • Dhool: Another Vikram movie that ran over 200 days, Vikram, a villager, who comes to chennai for his village affairs meets local rowdies and gets in a situation to destroy them. Also stars Jyothika and Reema Sen.Made on a budget of Rs.7 crores,the film has done a business of Rs.12-13 crores.
  • Kaaka Kaaka: A hard-core all out action film with Surya, Jeevan and Jyothika. The movie follows the story of a cop who hunts down a gangleader who is trying to wipe out the police force in Tamil Nadu.
  • Iyarkai: The film which won the Best Regional Film Award and the National Award from the President is about triangle love set against the backdrop of coastal harbour stars Seema Biswas, Kutti Radhika, Shaam and Arun Kumar in a guest role.

For an analysis of top films of 2003, see [14].

[edit] Critically acclaimed films

  • Pithamagan: A story from Bala after the successes of Sethu and Nanda which starred Vikram and Surya in respectively. Both actors came together with Laila, Simran and Sangeetha for a grizzly tale in which Vikram plays a speechless undertaker. This performance fetched Vikram the National Award.

[edit] 2002

  • Run: The biggest blockbuster of Madhavan ran for 100 days. Directed by Lingwusamy and stars Madhavan, Meera Jasmine, Atul Kulkarni and Vivek. It is about the victory of love set against the backdrop of Chennai city. This is a good Action oriented family entertainer. It is one of the biggest blockbuster in Madhavan's career.
  • Gemini: A masala movie with Vikram rescuing people from the don, Seena. Played for 100 days. Also starred Kiran Rathod.

[edit] Critically acclaimed films

  • Ramana is a action film starring Vijayakanth, and Simran in the lead roles. This is the biggest blockbuster in Vijayakanth's career. It's a film that talks about bribes and corruption told in a excellent way.

For a round-up of top movies in 2002, see [15]

[edit] 2001

  • Dheena played for 175 days
  • Minnale played for 150 days.
  • Dil played for 125 days.
  • Friends played for 100 days.
  • 'Poovellam Un Vasam 147 days
  • Citizen: An action film starring Ajith in dual roles. The award-winning film tells the vendetta of a young boy against the corrupt bureaucracy which wiped out his entire village from the map of India. It played for 156 days.
  • Nandha played for 100 days.

For a round-up of top movies in 2001, see [16]

[edit] 2000

[edit] 1990s

  • 1990 - Michael Madhana Kamarajan played for 175 days; Keladi Kanmani 206 days
  • 1991 - Nanbargal played for 141 days; Azhagan and Guna 150 days each; Idhayam, Thalapathi and En Rasavin Manasiley 175 days each; Dharmadurai 186 days; Captain Prabhakaran 205 days; Sinna Thambi 229 days
  • 1992 - Sundara Kaandam played for 100 days; Roja 190 days; Annamalai, Thevar Magan, Mannan, Vaanamey Ellai and Chembaruthi 175 days each
  • 1993 - Gentleman 100 days, Amaravathi 111 days; Aranmanai Killi 100 days, Ejamaan and Kizhakku Cheemayile played for 175 days each, Uzhaippali, valli 100 days each
  • 1994 - Kadhalan 240 days, Rasigan 110 days, Pavithra 100 days, Veera 150 days; Amaidhi Padai, Magalir Mattum and Naataamai 175 days each
  • 1995 - Bombay 175 days, Badsha played for 182 days, Aasai 210 days, Muthu 185 days.
  • 1996 - Poove Unakkaga 210 days, Kalloori Vaasal 147 days, Love Birds 185 days; Amman Koyil Vaasaliley, Kadhal Desam, Kaalam Maari Pochu, Mr. Romeo, Parambarai, Vaanmathi, Indian, and Avvai Shanmugi played for 175 days each; Ullathai Alli Thaa 175 days; Kadhal Kottai 240 days
  • 1997 - Ullasam 119 days, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai 210 days, Sooriya Vamsam and Bharathi Kannamma played for 175 days each; Nerukku Ner 100 days, Ratchagan 125 days; Minsara Kanavu 150 days, Arunachalam, Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga 100 days. Iruvar was the critically acclaimed film
  • 1998 - Jeans 200 days, Kadhal Mannan 156 days, Aval Varuvala 182 days, Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen played for 200 days
  • 1999 - Unnai Thedi 100 days; Mudhalvan played for 100 days; Amarkalam 182 days, Jodi 175 days; Padayappa 200 days (Grossed Rs.26 crores);

[edit] 1980s

  • 1980 - Avan Aval Adhu played for 154 days; Billa 175 days; Nenjathai Killadhey 364 days; Oru Thalai Raagam 365 days
  • 1981 - Kudumbam Oru Kadhambam played for 127 days; Andha 7 Naatkal, Meendum Kokila, Mouna Geedhangal and Rayil Payanangalil 175 days each; Alaigal Oyvadhillai 180 days; Kilinjalgal 210 days
  • 1982 - Thooral Ninnu Pochu played for 114 days; Vaalibamey Vaa 131 days; Darling! Darling! Darling! and Pokkiri Raja 148 days each; Moondru Mugam 150 days; Theerpugal Thiruthappadalam 175 days; Sagalakala Vallavan 176 days; Vaazhvey Maayam 200 days; Kozhi Koovudhu 202 days; Gopurangal Saayvadhillai 205 days; Moondram Pirai 329 days; Payanangal Mudivadhillai 526 days
  • 1983 - Oru Pullanguzhal Aduppoodhugiradhu played for 112 days; Paayum Puli 133 days; Needhibadhi 141 days; Uyirullavarai Usha and Sandhippu 175 days each; Mundhaanai Mudichu 201 days; Malaiyoor Mambattiyaan 204 days; Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey 263 days; Manvaasanai 286 days
  • 1984 - Nallavanukku Nallavan played for 152 days; Vidhi 175 days
  • 1985 - Kaaki Sattai played for 126 days; Pournami Alaigal 130 days; Udhaya Geedham 153 days; Padikkadhavan and Poovey Poochoodavaa 175 days each; Mudhal Mariyadhai 177 days; Aan Paavam 210 days; Thendraley Ennai Thodu 240 days; Sindhu Bairavi 284 days
  • 1986 - Punnagai Mannan played for 106 days; Saadhanai 125 days; Amman Koyil Kizhakkaley, Maidhili Ennai Kadhali, Mouna Raagam and Samsaram Adhu Minsaram 175 days each,Mr.Bharath and Maaveeran 100 days each
  • 1987 - Vanna Kanavugal played for 104 days; Thirumadhi Oru Vegumadhi 125 days; Sankar Guru 127 days; Velaikaaran 131 days; Nayagan, Manidhan and Ninaivey Oru Sangeedham 175 days each
  • 1988 - Idhu Namma Aalu and Guru Sishyan played for 175 days each; Agni Natchathiram 200 days; Sendhoora Poovey 205 days; En Thangai Kalyani 210 days
  • 1989 - Paandi Naatu Thangam played for 162 days; Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, Rajadhi Raja and Raja Sinna Roja 175 days each; Pudhiya Paadhai 197 days; Aboorva Sagodharargal 200 days (Rs.10 crores); Karagattakaaran 366 days, Maappillai 175 days

[edit] 1970s

  • 1970 - Maattukkaara Velan played for 175 days
  • 1971 - Rickshawkaaran played for 140 days and Aadhi Baraasakthi 175 days
  • 1972 - Pattikada Pattanama played for 189 days; Idhaya Veenai, Needhi and Dheivam 217 days each and Vasantha Maaligai 287 days
  • 1973 - Arangetram, Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban, Sooriyagandhi, Baaratha Vilas, Petha Manam Pithu and Raja Raja Chozhan played for 217 days each
  • 1974 - Aval Oru Thodarkadhai played for 140 days, Urimai Kural 175 days and Thanga Padhakkam 182 days
  • 1976 - Bathrakaali played for 175 days and Annakkili 196 days
  • 1977 - Theebam played for 135 days, 16 Vayadhinile 175 days and Aattukara Alamelu 212 days
  • 1978 - Ilamai Oonjaladugiradhu, Sigappu Rojakkal, Thyagam and Priya played for 175 days each and Kizhakkey Pogum Rayil 364 days
  • 1979 - Pasi played for 112 days; Annai Or Aalayam 126 days; Kalyanaraman 140 days; Niram Maaradha Pookkal 154 days; Udhiri Pookkal 175 days; Thirisoolam and Azhiyadha Kolangal 200 days each; and Kanniparuvathiley 224 days

[edit] 1960s

  • 1960 - Irumbu Thirai played for 175 days
  • 1961 - Paasamalar and Paavamannippu played for 175 days each
  • 1964 - Kadhalikka Neramillai played for 175 days
  • 1965 - Enga Veettu Pillai played for 175 days and Thiruvilaiyaadal 182 days
  • 1966 - Anbe Vaa played for 147 days
  • 1967 - Naan played for 175 days
  • 1969 - Adimai Pen played for 175 days

[edit] 1950s

  • 1954 - Antha Naal - A murder mystery with a narrative structure that mirrors Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. It is considered the first Tamil film without songs, and it stars Sivaji Ganesan.
  • 1959 - Baagappirivinai played for 217 days

[edit] 1940s

  • 1944 - Haridas played for 768 days

[edit] 1930s

  • 1931 - Kalidas was the first full-length motion picture

[edit] See also