2009 was the year of contradictions, yet another year of mixed responses at the box office. Let us take a look at the hits, misses, surprises and disasters in Kollywood in 2009.
Last year was a boom time in Kollywood with a record-breaking 131 films releasing during the year. This is the highest number of films released in any year for nearly two decades. But a boom in production apparetnly led to a fall in quality of content, with the hit ratio being just 14%.
Suriya's Ayan tops the chart of hits in 2009. This instant hit, which topped the audio sales also, is directed by noted cinematographer-turned-director K.V. Anand, who also penned the story and screenplay with Subha. Suriya dons the role of an educated and intelligent smuggler in this action thriller opposite Tamannaah with Prabhu as his guru.
Apart from Ayan, only a few movies made it into the hit list of 2009. Nadodigal, which gave good returns in terms of investment, was also critically appreciated. It was a film set in a small town in Southern Tamil Nadu (sureshot success formula?) by which the Sasikumar-Samuthirakani duo returned with a bang. Sasikumar's other directorial venture Passanga was also very well appreciated.
Dhanush starrer Padikathavan too made a mark in 2009. The much-hyped movie of the year Kanthaswamy, with Vikram and Shriya in the lead, was not up to audience expectations but managed to enter the hit list.
Bollywood's critically-acclaimed A Wednesday saw its Tamil version with Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal weaving magic on screen. Unnaipol Oruvan also tasted success both in the box office and among critics.
Eeram and Renigunta were also well-appreciated for their freshness and simplicity in the script. Other movies which gave good returns include Suriyas's Aadhavan, Jeyam Ravi's Peranmai, Bharath's Kanden Kadhalai, Madhavan's Yavarum Nalam and a few more.
Coming to the list of disasters, the biggest came in the form of the eagerly-awaited Vijay’s Prabhu Deva-directed Villu. Bala’s epic Naan Kadavul couldn't make it to the blockbusters' list, but was well-appreciated critically. Vishal’s Thoranai, Sarathkumar's 1977, Vijaykanth’s great white hope Mariyadai, a wonderful touching movie like Pokkisham and Ameer’s heavily hyped Yogi -- all disappointed at the box office.
Though the music of much-expected Vishnuvardhan’s Sarvvam was a huge hit, the film fetched bad reviews, which made everyone feel that hugely talented directors can also go wrong.
So that's how it is, a mixture of reactions! Excitement, disappointments, wins, losses -- everything is a part of this industry. Now it's a new dawn, a new beginning. Let's hope for the best in the current year as some of the best films are coming soon in Kollywood.
