It's boom time for Tamil cinema

The Tamil film industry is in an upbeat mood with the first six months of this year (2007) turning out to be a boom time. To quote Producers Council president Rama Narayanan, 50 films were released between January and June this year against 42 during the whole of last year. At least 10 of these releases will make profits. The number of hits is also more than last year. "So far so good," says Rama Narayanan.

Going by the statistics, "Pokkiri" has emerged as the blockbuster followed by "Mozhi" (super-hit), "Paruthiveeran" (super-hit), "Naan Avan Illai" (hit), "Unanle Unnale" (hit) and "Chennai-6000 028" (above average).

Rajini-starrer "Sivaji: The Boss" which was released on June 15 to a record opening has not been taken into account. Though the mega movie is into its third week now and is still running to full houses everywhere, it is too early to assess its full box-office impact. "We have to wait for a couple of weeks more," according to sources.

The way some films like opened outside Tamil Nadu is a clear indication that Tamil movies have broken territorial barriers. Industry sources attribute this to the new trend of content-driven films in attractive packing with essential commercial ingredients and high-powered marketing.

Take for instance "Pokkiri". Trade estimates are that it was made on a budget of about Rs 12 and should have raked in Rs 35 crore world-wide. "Mozhi" which cost the producers Rest 2.25 crore, may do business worth not less than Rs 10 crore. Apart from the film's intrinsic merits, the aggressive marketing by Pyramid Saimira is a notable factor contributing to the financial success of the film. "Naan Avan Illai", a remake of Gemini Ganesan's 1979 film of the same title, is also a hit, especially in B and C centers. "Paruthiveeran" which has thrown up Surya's brother Karthi has a new hero, has done extremely well in Tamil Nadu. "Unnale Unnale", a soft romantic movie, has appealed to the urban youth. It is a surprise that "Chennai-600 028", a film on gully cricket with no stars, is still doing well in urban centers. Its director Venkat Prabhu is reported to be planning a sequel to it.

Rama Narayanan expects that the boom seen in the first six months of this year will continue what with the exemption of films with Tamil titles from the entertainment tax along with a reduction in admission rates. The future looks bright, he asserts.

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Sivaji - The Boss