Hyderabad: It may be a bit hard to believe but we are almost halfway through 2015 already. The past six months or so have been extremely interesting as far as fans of southern cinema are concerned. On one hand a few high-profile movies have failed to live upto expectations while on the other some rather low key films have floored critics and audiences alike. Here is a quick look at some recent releases which managed to create a stir in the industry and that too for all the right reasons.
Kaaka Muttai: Directed by M Manikandan and produced by noted actor Dhanush, ‘Kaaka Muttai’ revolved around the adventures of two underprivileged kids. Made on a shoestring budget of Rs two crore, the film set the box office on fire and earned tremendous critical acclaim courtesy its simple yet sensitive screenplay. Interestingly, ‘Kaaka Muttai’ had already bagged two National awards prior to its theatrical release this June.
Yennai Arindhaal: Touted as the perfect New Year’s gift for Ajith Kumar’s die-hard fans ‘Yennai Arindhaal’ served as strong proof of why ‘Thala’ is a force to be reckoned with. Released in February, the film opened to a good response at the box office and received tremendous praise courtesy its sensitive storyline. Interestingly, ‘Yennai Arindhaal’ managed to create a lot of pre-release buzz as it reunited the director- composer duo of Gautham Vasudev Menon and Harris Jayaraj. The two had last joined hands for the 2008 release ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’.
36 Vayadhinile: Proving the strong content is the key to success, ’36 Vayadhinile’—which was made on a budget of Rs three crore—set the box office on fire and ended up collected Rs 26 crore during its two week run. Touted as popular Tamil actress Jyothika’s comeback vehicle, this Rosshan Andrews-directed drama highlighted how society tends to give undue importance to a woman’s age while determining her abilities.
O Kadal Kanmani: Featuring Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menon in the lead, ‘O Kadal Kanmani’ served as a strong reminder of Mani Ratnam’s unmatchable abilities as a storyteller. Touted as a romantic-drama, the movie focused on issues such as live-in relationships and marriage. Also featuring Prakash Raj and Leela Samson in pivotal roles, it found tremendous commercial success in India as well as in the overseas market.
Demonte Colony: Made on a small budget of Rs two crore, ‘Demonte Colony’ managed to floor movie buffs thanks to its unique narrative and believable performances. Directed . Ajay Gnanamuthu and starring Arulnithi in the lead, this horror film collected nearly 17 crore at the box office, emerging a highly profitable venture.
Premam: The highest grossing Malayalam film of the year so far, ‘Premam’ created waves in the industry because of its simple yet highly relatable storyline which revolved around a young man who meets three women at different points in his life. Featuring upcoming actor Nivin Pauly in the lead, this film was directed by Alphonse Putharen.
Oru Vadakkan Selfie: Yet another low budget movie that managed to find success on the commercial front, ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie’ received positive reviews for highlighting the challenges faced by youngsters because of societal perceptions. Directed by G Prajith, the movie had Nivin Pauly and Vineeth Sreenivasan in the lead. Interestingly, ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie’ is likely to remade in Hindi as well.
Bhaskar the Rascal: Boasting of some sizzling chemistry between Nayantara and Malayalam megastar Mammootty, ‘Bhaskar the Rascal’ emerged a runaway hit at the box office and completed nearly 10,000 shows. Interestingly, it received thumbs up from critics as well and was praised for its entertaining plot.
Ranna: The sole Kannada film on this list, ‘Raana’ fared extremely well at the box office and was praised by all and sundry for its powerful performances. The movie’s success went a long way in helping Sudeep continue his strong hold on the industry. As it so happens, the movie was a remake of Pawan Kalyan’s popular Telugu film ‘Attarintiki Daredi’.
S/O Satyamurthy: Directed by Trivikram Srinivas, this family-drama featured an ensemble cast comprising Allu Arjun, Upendra, Adah Sharma and Prakash Raj. One iof the highest grossing Telugu film of recent times, its popularity has resulted in it being parodied on numerous occasions.
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