Third Quarter 2018 Tamil Movies Report

When compared to the first two quarters of this year, the third quarter was a very fruitful one for the Tamil film industry as there were a handful of promising films as well as box office hits.

MovieCrow’s Picks from the Third Quarter of 2018

• Best Entertainer - Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (Mani Ratnam)
• Critics’ Favorite - Pariyerum Perumal (Mari Selvaraj)
• Actor - Kathir (Pariyerum Perumal)
• Actress - Samantha (U Turn)
• Comedian - Yogi Babu (Pariyerum Perumal, Kolamavu Kokila)
• Album - Santhosh Narayanan (Pariyerum Perumal)
• Background Score - AR Rahman (Chekka Chivantha Vaanam)
• Cinematographer - Theni Eswar (Merku Thodarchi Malai)
• Editor - Sreekar Prasad (CCV)

Mani Ratnam’s big comeback 

With the uber-stylish actioner, Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, Mani Ratnam proved that even after 35 years since his first film, he still has untold stories to present to the audience. Apart from being a casting coup, CCV’s racy screenplay is surely a lesson for younger filmmakers to get the right mix of content and style.

Pariyerum Perumal movement

Debutant Mari Selvaraj’s Pariyerum Perumal, produced by Pa Ranjith, is undoubtedly the most celebrated movie of this year. The film boldly addressed the omnipresence of caste and highlighted several caste-based issues without being preachy. The film has been receiving rave accolades from movie buffs, critics and celebrities. Although the movie took a humble opening, the film's screen count multiplied after the hashtag #PariyerumPerumalMovement went viral on Twitter.

Impactful Merku Thodarchi Malai

Debutant Lenin Bharathi’s Merku Thodarchi Malai, produced by Vijay Sethupathi, brilliantly documented the life of landless workers living in western ghats and its surrounding area. The film, which had breathtaking visuals and never made any commercial compromises, should have received more support from the audience.

Sequels get mixed response 

While CS Amudhan’s Tamizh Padam 2 went on to become a hit, Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam 2 received quite an underwhelming response at the box office. Vikram’s Saamy Square also failed to create the magic which Saamy did 15 years ago.

Films that made trade happy

Pandiraj’s Kadaikutty Singam, debutant Elan’s Pyaar Prema Kadhal and Nelson’s Kolamavu Kokila kept the cash register ringing at the box office. These films reiterated the fact that well-made entertainers which satisfy their target audience will always be successful.

Sivakarthikeyan’s first box office failure

According to trade pundits, Seema Raja marked the first box office failure for Sivakarthikeyan, who had a dream run until then.

Promising attempts

Pawan Kumar’s U Turn was a faithful remake with some minor changes. Samantha delivered a power-packed performance, which received appreciation from the audience and critics alike. Rajkumar’s Annanukku Jai, which had Dinesh in the lead, was an engaging political satire film filled with good humour.