Trends

2013 was again one of the best years for Tamil cinema. The number of films touched 150 again. Though most of them flopped, the low budget ones broke even thanks to the television rights. Three new-age films SOODHU KAVVUM, NERAM and MOODAR KOODAM were well appreciated. Industry faced problems due to political interference but adabpted and learnt to live with it. Power stars absence was filled by a Powder Star who entertained the audience. Even if you ignore this serious comedy, there were dozens of comedy films that hit the screen. While some of them sunk without a trace, many films entertained the audience and hence I am classifying year 2013 as "The Year of Comedies".

Hits of 2013

How They Fared

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Tit Bits

The year's biggest newsmaker was Kamal's VISHWAROOPAM controversy. It first started with Kamal announcing that the film will release simultaneously in theatres and in DTH. The theatre owners were against it and most of them decided to not release in their theatres. Kamal back tracked. Now when everything was fine and the film was about to release, a few religious organizations wanted the film to be banned. Such behaviour was already becoming common in tamil cinema right from the days of Rajini's BABA. However, what shocked the film fraternity was the CM deciding to play along and announced that film will not release in TamilNadu due to law and order reasons. The decision was announced exactly a day before the release. This led to the film releasing in across the world except in Chennai because the physical prints were already despatched. Kamal announced that he will leave the country and will be forced to sell his house due to his financial crisis. Kamal saw a huge support from Media, film lovers and people across India. The film industry did not have the courage to stand up and most of them went hiding. Finally, due to media pressure the film was allowed to release after two weeks with a few cuts. Good for us, Kamal is still here and is making movies.

Actor Vijay too faced a similar problem with his THALAIVA. This time the situation was even worser. A day before the release TamilNadu theatres refused to screen the film because of a bomb hoax. The film released in all other states and countries. Everyone knew that the reason stated was not true and that there were political forces behind the theatre owner's decision. Unlike Kamal, Vijay didn't even know who his enemies were and what he had to do to get the film released. After two weeks wait and after the pirated DVDs were available in the market, the film was released. The only deletion was a tagline beneath the title which read "Time To Lead".

Another film that got banned and never saw light in TamilNadu was DAM 999 (Hindi). Government issued the ban orders because they felt there will be a law and order situation because the film was based on 'Mullai Periyar' Dam issue. The maker went to the court but the court ruled in favour of the government. When another hindi film, Madras Cafe was about to release, the theatre owners decided not to screen it as they expected some trouble from the pro-LTTE outfits.

This year too, tamil cinema and tamil stars had their share of wins at the National Awards. National Awards for 2012: [1] Best Art Direction–Vishwaroopam. [2] Best Makeup –Vazhakku En 18/9. [3] Best Costume Design -Paradesi. [4] Best Choreography - Vishwaroopam. [5] Best Feature Film in Tamil (Regional Film) –Vazhakku En 18/9.

Actress Anjali was in news because she ran away from her home. She claimed her mother Bharathidevi is actually her aunt and that she is harassing Anjali for money. She also dragged director Kalanjiyam into the controversy. The issue is now in the court.

Director Manirathnam gave this year's biggest dud - KADAL. The distributors went to court demanding compensation for their losses.

There were rumours that actress Kanaga passed away due to cancer. Kanaga gave an interview to the press to prove that she was alive. In that interview, she spoke like a philosopher, accused her dad and also made some statements that confused the press.

Actress Radha who acted in SUNDARA TRAVELS complained that a businessman married her, swindled 54 Lakhs and cheated her. Later she took back her complaint.

Singer Janaki was awarded Padmabushan. However, she refused to accept the award stating that the recognition came too late.

Director Bhakyaraj was shocked when he watched this year's comedy hit, KANNA LADDU THINNA AASAYA. The film was a direct rip-off of his 80's hit, INDRU POI NAALAI VAA. He went to the court claiming Rs.2 Crore as compensation.

Centenery celebrations of Tamil Cinema was another political joke. There were no invites to film personalities from opposition parties including Karunanidhi and Vijayakanth. Rajini and Kamal were given seats in the middle rows. Lesser known starts were awarded a life time achievement award and this hurt many.

Actress Nazria complained to the police that director Sargunam used a body double for a kissing scene instead of her. The film, NAIYAANDI released without this scene and was a big flop. Having the body double wouldn't have helped the film either.

Actress Shruti Hassan was stalked in Mumbai and an unidentified man tried to enter her apartment by force.

After splitting with Yuvan and GV Prakashkumar, director Selvaraghavan moved to Harris Jeyaraj. After composing the songs for IRANDAAM ULAGAM, the duo split. BGM for the movie was done by Anirudh.

Producer Udayanidhi Stalin's wife, Krithika debuted as a director with VANAKKAM CHENNAI.

Power Star Srinivasan who was arrested in connection with a cheque fraud case was released. This gave joy to millions of his fans (including me).

Even Power Star had a competition and that was Powder Star. Devayani's director husband came up with THIRUMATHI THAMIZH in which he was also the hero. With his excessive face powder and lipstick, he immediately became a comedy hit. His interviews and trailer received maximum viewership in social media sites. He ensured that the film ran for 100 days in one theatre. The award function where only one shield and garland was rotated to many people became a youtube hit.

Music Director GV Prakashkumar married singer Saindhavi. Actors: Bharath, Nandha; Actress: Kaveri and Directors: SR Prabhakaran (SUNDARAPANDIYAN), Kathir (IDHAYAM), Seeman (THAMBI), also got married.

Tamil Cinema had to face the loss of Actors: Periyarthasan, Chittibabu, Master Sreedhar, Srihari (Disco Shanthi's husband); Actresses: Rajasulochana (yesteryear), Sugumari, Manjula; Lyricist: Vaali; Singer: PB Srinivas, TM Soundarajan; Music Director: Lalgudi Jayraman; Dance Master: Raghuraman; Producer: Karumari Kandaswamy; Director: Rasu Mathuravan and Actor/Director: Manivannan