While Malayalam cinema had a mixed bag in 2018, Bollywood witnessed the rise of new names like Khuranas, Raos and Aptes. Enough talking about Bollywood and Mollywood. When it comes to Tamil movies, the soon-to-end year was amazing with ample experiments.
Although big budget to superstar movies came way, content-driven movies emerged as top picks this year. The quality of content has been steady and interesting subjects were made and gained acceptance. Today, let's go through some such movies:
1. Vada Chennai
Starring: Dhanush, Ameer, Andrea Jeremiah, Aishwarya Rajesh
Director: Vetrimaran
Theme: Gangster film in which a young carrom player becomes a participant in a war between two groups.
What's best: Performances, in-depth approach to characterisation and layered writing.
2. Pariyerum Perumal
Starring: Kathir, Anandhi
Director: Mari Selvaraj
Theme: A hard-hitting anti-caste drama where the hero falls for an upper-caste girl.
What's best: The subject, casting and detailing which will leave you with thoughts.
3. Ratsasan
Starring: Vishnu Vishal, Saravanan, Amala Paul
Director: Ram kumar
Theme: A psychological crime thriller where the criminal is hunted down for a series of murders of teenage girls.
What's best: Narrative style, superb editing and music. The film keeps one hooked.
4. Kolamaavu Kokila
Starring: Nayanthara , Yogi Babu, Saranya Ponvannan, R. S. Shivaji, Hareesh Peradi
Director: Nelson Dilip Kumar
Theme: A black comedy where a woman takes up drug peddling.
What's best: Casting and performance, a message of women empowerment, and sticks true to the genre with making style.
5. 96
Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha
Director: C. Prem Kumar
Theme: Romantic drama where hero rewinds the memories of his childhood sweetheart at a reunion ceremony.
What's best: Breezy and heartwarming tale, brilliant performances and nonlinear yet simple narration.
6. Nadigaiyar Thilagam
Starring: Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha, Vijay Devarakonda
Director: Nag Ashwin
Theme: Tamil version of the biopic on veteran actress Savitri.
What's best: Performances, characterisation and narrative pattern.
7. Imaikkaa Nodigal
Starring: Nayanthara, Anurag Kashyap, Atharvaa, Raashi Khanna
Director: R. Ajay Gnanamuthu
Theme: Psychological thriller film on a CBI officer's hunt for a serial killer.
What's best: Engaging with unpredictable twists, performances, cinematography.
8. Merku Thodarchi Malai
Starring: Antony, Gayathri Krishna, Abu Valayankulam
Director: Lenin Bharathi
Theme: The family drama tells the story of people living along the foothills of the Western Ghats.
What's best: The setting, the characters, the cinematography and the message.
9. Irumbuthirai
Starring: Vishal, Arjun Sarja, Samantha Akkineni
Director: P. S. Mithran
Theme: Action-techno thriller is about tracking down hackers.
What's best: Interesting plot and character development.
10. Vanjagar Ulagam
Starring: Guru Somasundaram, Anisha Ambrose, Hareesh Peradi
Director: Manoj Beedha
Theme: Gangster drama revolving a murder and incidents that follow.
What's best: The energy the movie carries and the dialogues.
Bonus. Pyaar Prema Kaadhal
Starring: Harish Kalyan, Raiza Wilson
Director: Elan
Theme: Romantic comedy where two much-in-love couple decides for a live-in relationship.
What's best: Refreshing and emotionally driven.
