It had everything a commercial entertainer needed — the requisite fights, songs and loud villainy — to make it a blockbuster.
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Majaa
A wafer-thin story of two thieves who turn into new leaves, came that Deepavali, to clash against a monster hit.
2006
Varalaru
Ajith in triple role, K.S. Ravikumar is prime form with music by A.R. Rahman. Varalaru, earlier titled Godfather, had everything going for it despite its long production time. It became one of the year’s top grossers.
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Vallavan
Vallavan was Simbu’s return to direction after the super success of Manmadhan. Coupled with Yuvan Shankar Raja’s hit songs, Vallavan opened big, holding up against a massive film like Varalaru.
2007
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
Azhagiya Tamil Magan featured the directorial debut of Bharathan who wrote blockbusters like Dhill, Dhool and Ghilli. That it featured A.R.Rahman’s hit music with Vijay in double role only doubled the hype.
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Vel & Polladavan
The success of Suriya's Vel led to the Singham series, into its third instalment now. Polladhavan is first time Dhanush got together with Vetrimaaran! Now, we can’t wait for Vada Chennai.
2008
Aegan
Raju Sundaram’s remake of Bollywood superhit Main Hoon Na. The film managed to repeat everything but the original’s success.
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Seval
Hari, after the success of Vel, tried his luck with a lesser hero. Naturally, this mass film needed a massier hero.
2009
Aadhavan
This action comedy directed by K. S. Ravikumar has Surya and Nayanthara in the lead roles. Playing an assassin out to kill his own father, Suriya rocked rocked the box office.
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Peranmai
This critically-acclaimed film dealt with the life of a forest guard. Jayam Ravi scored big with his acting.
2010
Uthama Puthiran
A light-hearted remake of the Telugu film Ready, this Dhanush-starrer was the actor’s third collaboration with director Mithran Jawahar.
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Mynaa
Amala Paul’s breakout role came in this heart-rending romantic drama directed by Prabhu Solomon.
2011
7aam Arivu
Sruthi Haasan’s debut Kollywood flick is a sci-fi drama peppered with the usual Kollywood masala elements. This A. R. Murugadoss film dealt with Bodhidharman and his international acclaim though controversies about its historical inaccuracies broke soon after its release.
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Velayudham
After the success of Kavalan where he played a bodyguard, Vijay’s next release saw him play a superhero. It went on to rake in a lot of moolah at the box office.
2012
Poda Podi
A story that seemed to go nowhere, with dialogues that didn’t click, Poda Podi failed to hit the jackpot that year.
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Thuppakki
It was a taut thriller about an army man in search of terrorists, and it acquitted itself well at the box office too.
2013
Arrambam
Yet another Ajith flick that was tailor-made for the masses. But the actor scored with his salt-and-pepper military look and action sequences. Also starring Nayanthara and Arya, Arrambam was a box office blockbuster
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All in All Azhaguraja
Rajesh’s All in All Azhaguraja starring Karthi and Kajal Agarwal opened to much expectations but did not take off like his previous hit Boss Engira Baskaran. Even Santhanam’s female role couldn’t save this film.
2014
Kaththi
The Thuppaki team reunited with a story about water shortage. Vijay’s double role and Anirudh’s superhit music saw the producers laughing their way to the bank.
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Poojai
Another Hari action film set in Madurai. This Vishal and Shruti Haasan film, unfortunately, didn’t soar as high as the Tata Sumos did.
2015
Vedhalam
Siruthai Siva joining hands with Ajith after Veeram. Fresh out of playing a classy cop in Yennai Arindhal, Vedhalam took thala back to his roots. His fans didn’t complain…it went on to become one of biggest hits of the year.
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Thoonga Vanam
Set predominantly in a night club, this thriller evoked polarising opinion. You either loved it or you hated it but you had to watch it.
2016
Kodi
Dhanush’s first doube action role. Apart from Santosh Narayanan’s hit songs, Dhanush’s pairing with Trisha has garnered a lot of expectations.
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Kashmora
Dubbed as a multi-genre film, Kashmora is pegged to have elements of horror, comedy and action, besides period flavour. The film has Karthi, Nayanthara and Sri Divya in the lead roles. But what has raised eyebrows is Karthi’s makeover.