Third Quarter 2016 Tamil Movies Report

The third quarter of 2016 saw exactly 50 Tamil films releasing, out of which 5 films were profitable. While Rajinikanth’s Kabali became a ‘Blockbuster’, Vikram’s Iru Mugan, Vijay Sethupathi’s Dharma Durai & Aandavan Kattalai, and Samuthirakani’s Appa went on to become ‘Hits’.

MovieCrow’s Picks from Third Quarter of 2016

• Best Entertainer - Aandavan Kattalai
• Critics’ Favourite - Joker
• Director - Manikandan (Aandavan Kattalai)
• Actor - Rajinikanth (Kabali)
• Actress – Radhika Apte (Kabali)
• Comedian – Yogi Babu (Aandavan Kattalai)
• Screenplay -Arul Chezhiyan, Manikandan, Anucharan (Aandavan Kattalai)
• Cinematographer - Manikandan (Kuttrame Thandanai)
• Editor - Anucharan (Aandavan Kattalai)
• Music Director - Santhosh Narayanan (Kabali)

The redemption of Rajinikanth

Superstar Rajinikanth as an aged don in Kabali was the talk of the town during the last quarter. He stole the show with his charisma and expressions, and importantly, the movie went on to become a ‘Blockbuster’, which Rajinikanth badly needed.

Vijay Sethupathi on a dream run

Vijay Sethupathi is definitely in the best phase of his life, as both his movies, Dharma Durai and Aandavan Kattalai  became hits at the box office. Vijay Sethupathi seems to know the exact pulse of the audience and what they expect from him.

Vikram gets the much-needed break

In spite of the mixed reviews, Vikram’s Iru Mugan turned profitable at the box office, thanks to Vikram’s one-man show. Finally, the myth of Vikram giving hits only with director Shankar has been broken.

Dhoni takes the box office by storm

Bollywood film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story took a grand opening in Tamil Nadu last week, at par with any popular hero’s opening, even thought it was only dubbed into Tamil. Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings connection is doing wonders at the box office.

Average grossers

Sibiraj’s Jackson Durai, Santhanam’s Dhilluku Dhuddu, Raju Murugan’s Joker, Sasikumar’s Kidaari and Manikandan’s Kuttrame Thandanai recovered their investments. In spite of getting rave reviews, Joker and Kuttrame Thandanai could not become hits due to lack of star power.

The duds

Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai could not recreate the magic of Thattathin Marayathu, while other movies like Thirunaal, Wagah, Mudinja Ivana Pudi, Nambiar, Vaaimai, Nayagi, Sadhuram 2 and Thodari could neither please the critics nor the audience.