Tamil Cinema in 2019: A Mixed Bag of Success and Flops

2019 marked a significant year for Tamil cinema, presenting a blend of stunning successes and notable failures. This article delves into the performance of major actors, the impact of big-budget films, and the status of small independent productions. Let's explore how the industry fared in 2019.

Bumper Start

The year kicked off with great momentum as two high-profile films, Rajinikanth's Petta and Ajith Kumar's Viswasam, were both released during Pongal. These films were not only well-received by audiences but also achieved impressive box office performances, grossing 100 crores domestically. This rejuvenation of the box office performance was especially noteworthy, as it signified a profitable release during one of the most crucial periods of the year.

Small Budget Wonders

Amidst the big-budget trends, smaller production films emerged as significant successes. Films like Thadam, LKG A1, Dhilluku Duddu 2, and Gundu Kaalidas, all with budgets under 10 crores, demonstrated that quality content can still thrive in the contemporary market. These movies struck a chord with the audience due to their compelling stories and well-written screenplays, embodying hope for the future of Tamil cinema.

Sivaji Santhanam's career experienced a significant boost during 2019, marked by several back-to-back successes. This bolstered the narrative that independent filmmakers and actors still hold a strong position in the industry.

Big Budget Debacles

Despite the aforementioned successes, the year was not without its setbacks. Suriya's two films, NGK (No Gentle Knight) and Kaapan, were massive failures both commercially and financially. Similarly, Ennai Nokki Payum Thota, after a long wait, also turned out to be one of the biggest flops of the year, accentuating the risks in high-budget ventures.

Another notable flop was Adithya Varma, a remake of the Malayalam film Dhruv Vikram. The film was made in duplicate, yet failed to impress audiences. Additionally, several films such as RK Nagar Party, Madha Gaja Raja, and Server Sundaram remained unsold in the market due to unresolved financial disputes.

The Bigil Hype

Generating significant buzz, the film Bigil received massive performances, grossing significant amounts. However, these profits did not extend to the producers and distributors, making it a "no profit, no loss" scenario. Comparatively, Mersal by Vijay was highlighted as the most profitable Vijay film since 2017, indicating a growing trend of commercially successful films.

The Sad End of the Year

2019 concluded on a disappointing note with the releases of Hero and Thambi. Hero was an outright failure, ranked as the worst in Sivakarthikeyan's career, overshadowing his previous non-successful films. While Thambi had a decent premise and appeal to family audiences, it ended up as an average fare, leading to financial losses for its distributors and leaving an unimpressive reputation for Karthi, who enjoyed previous successes.

Ups and Downs for Major Stars

Karthi and Dhanush:
Both Karthi and Dhanush delivered significant hits during the year. Karthi's films, alongside a Vijay release, crossed the bar for success. Dhanush, after a long period, found renewed success after receiving a sizeable investment from Thanu (30 crores for three films), which helped him clear a major portion of his debts.

Ajith Kumar:
Director Siruthai Siva's movies, Viswasam with Ajith Kumar, which was one of Ajith's biggest hits, and Siruthai, were well-received. The year also marked significant success for Ajith as a director, reestablishing him in the industry.

Kamal Hassan and Suriya:
Suriya faced a year without a hit film for the first time since 2013, with Ennai Nokki Payum Thota being his latest release. Kamal Hassan's election performance was underwhelming, with MNM's showing at a dismal 2%, significantly below expectations. Similarly, Suriya Vikram's long dry spell of hit films continued.

Vairamuthu and Sivakarthikeyan:
vairamuthu's year was marred by casting couch rumours, leading to the suspension of his Ponniyin Selvan project. Sivakarthikeyan, saddled with a 65 crore rupee debt, took on a significant agreement with financial investors but saw his gains from earlier successes (like Hero and Heroine) evaporated with the failure of Hero and Thambi.

Nayanthaara:
After a successful year with three solo hits, Nayanthaara's latest releases, Bigil and Viswasam, did not meet the same level of success. Her films, Aairaa and Kolayuthir Kalam, were major disappointments, highlighting the challenges faced by actors after hitting milestones.

Conclusion

2019 was a pivotal year in Tamil cinema, reflecting both the highs and lows associated with the film industry. Despite challenges, the year saw promising performances and new beginnings, offering valuable insights into the future trajectory of Tamil cinema.