Trends

2012 was one of the best years for tamil cinema. Forget the tiff between Film Producers and FEPSI or the number of big movies that flopped. What matters is the number of new comers and the total films that were released. Every friday, there was atleast a few new tamil releases! New talents came up with low budget films that managed to get theatres and this is definitely a welcome sign. Though many films were direct copies of english films or inspired from earlier tamil hits, there was good share of original ideas. Some of these original films, went on to become big hits. Films like PIZZA, NADUVULA KONJAM PAKKATHA KAANOM, KAADHALIL SOTHAPUVATHU YEPPADI, ATTAKATHI and some of them. With countless number of small films, the year 2012 can be classified as "The Year of Small Films".

Hits of 2012

How They Fared

Tit Bits

Sneha and Prasanna's wedding was one of the most talked about commercial event of the year. After a few years of romance (which again was one of the most closely guarded secrets), the couple tied the knot in May. The telecast rights for the wedding were sold to a private channel and the wedding happened the filmy way. A few month's later, there was news on their split which later turned out to be a gimmick played by the couple to promote a mobile store!

Why this Kolaveri song from the film 3 became a world-wide hit. There were some rumours linking Dhanush with Shruthi hassan. This appeared to be a publicity stunt which still didn't help the film. The film flopped badly at the box office. Yet, the producer was smiling because they have cashed enough on the Kola Veri fame through ads placed in the film and satellite rights.

Producer Udayanidhi Stalin debuted as a hero in Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (OK OK). Director Rajesh (SMS & BOSS) came up with another laugh riot and the film turned out to be a huge hit. Comedian Santhanam played an important role in the film's success.

Director Ameer filed a complaint on Studio Green (Surya & Karthi's home production). The director said his 25% royalty for Paruthiveeran was not paid to him when the film was dubbed to telugu.

Sivaji Ganesan's epic 1964 classic Karnan was re-released in digitized format. The film turned out to be a huge multiplex hit with housefull shows. The film ran for 150 days and the success has prompted producers to re-look at releasing other yesteryear classics. During later part of the year, Rajinikanth's Sivaji was released in 3D format and did good business.

Actress/Dancer, Alphonsa attempted suicide after her boy friend was found hanging. Later, Alphonsa claimed that it was failure in career that led to her boyfriend's suicide.

This year too, tamil cinema and tamil stars had their share of wins at the National Awards for 2011: [1] Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai (Producer- Madhan,Director-Suseendiran). [2] Best Supporting Actor – Appukutty (Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai). [3] Best Editing Award- Praveen.K.L & Srikanth ( Aaranya Kaandam). [4] Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director- Thiagarajan Kumararaja (Aaranya Kaandam). [5] Best Feature Film in Tamil (Regional Film) – Vaagai Sooda Vaa (Director Sargunam). [6] Best Non Feature Film on Family Values – 'Red Building where the Sun Sets' directed by Revathy.

As always, this year too, the producer's council (TFPC) and Worker's union (FEFSI) got into a fight. This time it was on increasing wages to the workers and when the producer's refused to accept, there was an unofficial strike. When producers tried to use worker's from other states, FEFSI spoke to those unions and stopped it. After a 3 month dead-lock finally the issue was sorted out.

Nayanthara has been in news every year for the past 6 years. First it was her love with Simbu, then the split, then started the rumours linking her to Prabhudeva, Prabhudeva's legal battle and finally his divorce last year. All was well during the first few months of this year and the media was predicting the wedding date for this couple. Everyone was in for a shock when news on the Nayantara-Prabhudeva split leaked out. After a one year sabbatical, Nayantara returned to acting. She went on a signing spree and is now back on top (especially in the telugu industry). Prabhudeva got busy with his career too.

Actress Ananya's (NADODIGAL, ENGEYUM EPPOTHUM) father gave a police complaint that the businessman who was supposed to marry her was already married. This complaint happened within weeks after the engagement. However, Ananya denied that the businessman had cheated. She confessed that she was aware about the marital status of her fiancé and that she was willing to wait for his divorce.

Copyright Labs, a private company, made a breakthrough achievement in curbing online piracy of films! The company procured John Doe order for the film 3 and also notified many of the local Internet Service Providers of infringing content. The company used an advanced tool to detect pirated content online (within few minutes of upload) and the ISP's were forced to block unauthorised content within a few hours of notification. Many films followed this approach which helped in delaying piracy.

Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Aaranya Kaandam, which already won several awards also won the audience award at the London Indian Film Festival.

Samantha was hot and happening with many hits and important movies. She surprised her fans when she dropped out of Manirathnam's KADAL and Shankar's I. There were speculations that the actress is suffering from a few skin allergies developed during the continuous shoots in harsh waters for Kadal. Samantha clarified that she was suffering from low immunity and hence there were many infections which forced her to take a break. I breathed relief only after she resumed acting.

A police filed a case against actor Manchu Manoj (Mohanbabu's son) for allegedly assaulting upcoming Tamil actor Mahat Raghavendra (MANKATHA) at the Filmfare Awards held in Chennai. The buzz was these action scenes were because of actress Tapsee. Mahat was supposedly her ex-lover and Manoj was supposed to be the current one. Tapsee issued a press statement that Manoj was like her brother and that she does not know Mahat! After some drama Manoj and Mahat shook hands.

There were strong rumours linking Trisha with Telugu star Rana Daggubati. However the duo dismissed such rumours and confirmed that they are 'just good friends'.

Photos of a liplock between Andrea & Kolaveri music director, Anirudh went viral on the net. Andrea was bold as always and went on record that the pictures were over 1.5 yrs old. She said that she had a beautiful person relationship with Anirudh (5 years junior) and that they broke up. The media went ga-ga on her boldness which is very rare in Tamil industry.

There were many role reversals. Vijay Antony as hero in Naan, Ajith's cameo in English Vinglish, Narein turned villain in Mugamoodi , Arya's cameo in OK OK and Vijay's cameo in Hindi film, Rowdy Rathore.

Vijay's Thuppaki title woes was a joke on our judicial system. A less known film producer approached the court that they were the first to register the title "KALLA THUPPAKI" and that Vijay's movie having a similar sounding name will create confusion. This was stupid as these were two different names and there have been similar instances in the past. The case went on for months with multiple hearing and no verdict. After a long battle for title copyright issue, there was an out of court settlement and the case was withdrawn. The film went on to gross more than 150 Crores.

Power Star Srinivasan, a self made Star was arrested in connection with a cheque fraud case. This upset millions of his fans (including me).

Manisha Koirala filed for divorce, ending two years of marital life with her businessman husband, Dahal.

Suji Bala, an actress who has played some small roles in movies, including Goripalayam, attempted suicide. She overdosed on sleeping pills, but thankfully, was rushed to a local hospital and treated in time. The reason was not known.

Chinmayi lodged a complaint with the police alleging that few individuals have threatened to kill, rape and assault her on Twitter. She also mentioned that they are posting comments on her character as well as about her mother. She listed six twitter handlers. Some of them were arrested.

Tamil Cinema had to face the loss of Dileep (Actor – Visu films), SN Lakshmi (Actress - MAHANADHI), M Saroja (Actress – Comedy films), Kalaimani (Writer – 16 VAYATHINILE), Kaka Radhakrishnan (Actor – THEVAR MAGAN), Ashwini (Actress- PONDATI THEVAI), Thilakan (Actor – SHATRIYAN), Ennatha Kannaiya (Actor), Loose Mohan (Actor), MSV's wife, Actor Rajesh's wife and Actress Trisha's father. Sathish, a child actor, who played a role in Siva Karthikeyan's movie Marina, died in an accident. Shubha Phutela, who made her acting debut, in the Tamil movie Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathiley, passed away due to jaundice. Mahadevan, husband of renowned carnatic singer Nithyashree Mahadevan, committed suicide by jumping into the Adyar River