THE HINDU
SREEDHAR PILLAI
| Round-up The first half of 2007 has seen a number of hits with content-driven, smartly packaged films doing the trick. |
Tamil films never had it so good during the first half of the year. There have been 50 releases from January 1 to June 29, 2007, eight more than last year’s 42 releases during the same period. Kollywood has enough reasons to smile as there has been more number of hits than last year which augurs well for the industry. The hits of the year are ‘Pokkiri’(blockbuster), ‘Mozhi’ (super hit), ‘Paruthiveeran’ (super hit), ‘Naan Avan Illai’ (hit), ‘Unnale Unnale’(hit) and ‘Chennai-600028’ (above average).
Rajinikanth’s ‘Sivaji’ which released on June 15 to record openings, does not feature here as it will take some more weeks to gauge its success. Though the industry is superstar-driven, formulaic films clicked at the box-office.
The message is once again loud and clear — stars alone cannot make a film a hit, a novel script and presentation do matter.
Coming of age
In a way, the new trend of content-driven films in attractive packaging with essential commercial ingredients and smart marketing show that Tamil films have come of age.
The Vijay-Asin starrer ‘Pokkiri’ became a blockbuster because of its packaging as a mass entertainer, music and the larger-than-life image of its hero Vijay. Says Vijay: “I think ‘Pokkiri’ clicked because it had all the essential ingredients. Added to that there was a twist in the story, rib-tickling comedy, great songs picturised beautifully, sentiments and never-before-seen action…”
The film made on a budget of around Rs. 12 crores should have done business worth Rs. 35 crores worldwide, according to trade estimates. ‘Pokkiri’ also created new records in Kerala and overseas.
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