Kollywood’s
First Quarter: A Report
How
has 2009 been for Kollywood
thus far? What’s happened,
who’s happening and what
is about to happen. We take
a look back at the past 3
months,
the movies, the events and
many
other things big and small
that
was in the news. Obviously,
the first thing that should
be discussed is the movies
that
made it to the screen and
their
respective fates at the box
office. It might not be a
secret
that times have been a bit
tough
for Kollywood. Of course,
there
have been hits, but they have
all come from rather
unexpected
quarters. The ones that were
expected to deliver big time
were found lacking in fire
power
even though they had star
power
in oodles. That takes us back
to the first festival of the
year, Pongal. Traditionally
a good harvest season for the
film industry, with big
releases
and a holiday mood throughout
the state. 2009 however was
not a very Happy
Pongal
with the biggest release of the lot,
Villu,
sadly failing to make an impression at
the
box office. Vijay’s presence and star
status helped the film just about stay
afloat
for a while. Padikathavan scrapped and
scratched
its way into a zone of acceptable success
thanks to another effortless performance
by Dhanush and Vivek hitting a purple
patch.
Post Pongal, there was a regular stream
of commercials that kept hitting the
screens.
But, only very few of them managed to
make
any impact. Sundar C’s two releases
Perumal and Thee did not quite live up to
his billing as B & C entertainer, while
Sarath Kumar’s search for the elusive
hit continues, after 1977 received a flat
response. Youthful and contemporary films
like Siva Manasula Sakthi, Laadam and TN
07-A-4777 all received mixed bags with
SMS
managing to survive initial hiccups,
courtesy
mostly to Jiiva’s youthful demeanor
and Yuvan’s distinct notes.
Then there were a whole lot of medium and
low budget ventures that sank without a
trace like Adada Enna Azhagu and
Innoruvan.
And, a few films, in spite of looking
good
for a sustained run and getting favorable
reports did not garner as much attention
as expected like Ravikrishna’s Kadhalna
Summa Illa and the bilingual Ennai
Theriyuma.
The first quarter of 2009 has also
witnessed
some class efforts and results in film
making.
How can one forget Naan Kadavul, the hard
hitting product from Bala? Performance at
the box office apart, it is definitely a
film that will be remembered for the
mastery
of its maker. Priyadarshan’s highly
acclaimed Kancheevaram went and came
without
much noise, a pity considering the amount
of national and international recognition
it had managed prior to the release.
But, the biggest surprise packets of the
season and one suspects, the biggest
earners,
all belonged to one sparsely used genre,
horror. It all began with Yaavarum Nalam
passing through the initial days before
establishing itself as a success with its
novel content and tight presentation.
This
was followed the next week by a vastly
different
Arundhathee who captured the imagination
of movie goers of all classes. Horror,
was
in. The cascade effect was seen with
Sivapuram,
the dubbed version of the Malayalam
Ananthabhadram,
hitting screens, only to disappear even
without a whimper. That notwithstanding,
the horror fever has caught with at least
6-7 films currently in various stages of
making and more being planned.
That was about the films, now about
stars.
As you might have guessed by now, stars
haven’t had a major say in the first
quarter of 2009. Suriya missed out on a
first quarter release with Ayan arriving
only in early April, it will definitely
be on the half yearly success list. Vijay
and Ajith kicked off their respective
projects
Vettaikaran and Asal while Suriya started
another of his own Aadhavan. After
prolonged
speculation Thalaivan Irukkiran finally
was rechristened Unnaipol Oruvan.
Silambarasan
sprang a surprise with Vinnai Thaandi
Varuvaaya
taking off while Dhanush had his double
start with Aadukalam and Kutty. Most of
the other stars had a pretty uneventful
first quarter. Films that were expected
for the first quarter but disappointed us
with delays include Mysskin’s highly
rated Nandhalala and Vishnuvardhan’s
Sarvam, the IPL and elections reportedly
being the major reasons.
Events that were noticed during the
course
of the first three months of 2009
included
the Star cricket match at Chennai between
Kollywood and Tollywood, the 100th day
celebrations
of Saroja, Ilaiyaraja’s rendezvous
of the real life folk who were on screen
for Naan Kadavul and many colorful audio
and film launches which were well
attended
by big names. Actor Prabhu’s daughter’s
marriage was a grand affair with
Kollywood
turning out in full force while actress
Sangeetha and singer Krish had a more
private
and simple ceremony. There was also
poignancy
and a sense of bereavement when the
industry
got together to remember two legends
Nagesh
and M.N. Nambiar.
Finally, the Tamil film industry was done
proud by two of its favorite sons. Vivek
brought home the Padmasree for all the
years
of commitment and performance. But, the
brightest spot of 2009 definitely has to
be the Oscar Thamizhan A.R. Rahman’s
triumph. It wouldn’t be wrong to say
that we all saw it coming, it was indeed
a special feeling and once again a big
thanks
to the Mozart of Madras for making the
Indian
Oscar dream come true.
That was Kollywood in the first quarter
of 2009.Let’s hope that the days to
come carry better results and returns.
http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/kollywood-22-04-09.html
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