Top 10 Tamil movies of 2015/16!

Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016)

A 21 year old Karthick Naren wielded the microphone for one of the best thrillers Indian cinema has seen in recent memory. Starring Rahman as an ageing cop who is asked to recollect the final (unsolved) case of his career, the movie impresses big time owing to its intricately written screenplay, tremendous attention to detail and an impressively executed climax. The cinematography and musical score fetch further brownie points.

Aandavan Kattalai (2016)

M. Manikandan, a filmmaker known for crafting splendid blends of arthouse and commercial cinema, has notably made a name for himself in the Tamil industry. In this film, Vijay Sethupathi, in a relaxed yet compelling portrayal, plays a debt-ridden village lad. Motivated by the desire to escape financial woes, he opts for an illegal migration to the U.K in search of lucrative employment opportunities.

Throughout the narrative, there are numerous laugh-out-loud moments, with Yogi Babu delivering terrific puns and rhymes. The film cleverly takes digs at the corrupt and fraudulent practices prevalent among the undiscerning youth of today.

What stands out is the film’s light-hearted treatment of unfavorable situations, its inadvertent evolution into social satire, and the well-etched central characters. While Ritika Singh may not have perfected her lip-sync, she does a commendable job expressing the right set of emotions. The supporting cast, featuring Pooja Devariya, Nasser, George, Vinodhini, and Singampuli, delivers excellent performances. K’s musical score seamlessly blends with the unfolding proceedings.

Kuttrame Thandanai (2016)

M. Manikandan’s second venture is about a man suffering from tunnel vision. There is a quite a bit of inspiration from Hitchcock’s “Rear Window“, yet this one holds its own firm ground thanks to certain stand-out performances, focused narrative and the inclusion of neo-noir elements. Cinematography by the director himself and musical score by Ilayaraja warrant praise. The versatility of the filmmaker is clearly established as he takes on a completely different genre from his first venture.

Thani Oruvan (2015) – One of the most entertaining cat n’ mouse thrillers Tamil cinema has churned out lately. Arvind Swamy as the suave and stylish Siddharth Abhimanyu treaded fresh ground completely ignoring all the usual character traits associated with a menacing antagonist. When was the last time a Tamil movie started off detailing the shrewdness of the villain? Music and BGM by Hip Hop Thamizha also played a significant role adding to the slickness. Mohan Raja’s most dapper film to date. The screenplay is injected with ample doses of pulpiness by novelist duo Suresh-Balakrishnan (Subha).

Kirumi (2015)

Manikandan takes on the role of writer in this crime-thriller that paints almost all its characters (including the lead played by Kathir) grey. K’s tunes add to the overall feel of the movie. Reshmi Menon who plays the female lead, Charle who plays informant Prabhakar, G Marimuthu and the rest put on a stellar show. Directed by Anucharan, this flick serves as a decent-enough character study with reference to people on both sides of the law (the keepers and the breakers!).

Visaranai (2015)

A spine-chilling experience is what Visaranai is. Based on the novel Lock Up by M. Chandrakumar and written/directed by Vetrimaaran, it was selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards. Police brutality has been showcased in all its viciousness in the movie. There wasn’t a single character that felt out-of-place. Samuthirakani was brilliant, and so were the rest. The climax leaves the viewer with a bitter aftertaste.

Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015)

In this black-comedy thriller, a woman orchestrates a plan to avenge her father’s murder, enlisting the help of a group of aspiring thugs. The onscreen chemistry between Sethupathi and Nayantara is delightful, complemented by the comedic contributions of supporting actors such as Parthiban, Anandaraj, RJ Balaji, and others. Vignesh Shivan, in his second directorial effort (following 2012’s ‘Podaa Podi’), successfully elicits plenty of laughter. The songs, crafted by Anirudh Ravichander, swiftly climbed the charts, becoming instant chart-busters.

Kaaka Muttai (2015)

Kaaka Muttai revolves around the escapades of two slum kids determined to savor the taste of pizza. As M. Manikandan’s debut directorial effort, the film inherently carries a unique charm. The endearing performances of the kids are commendable, demonstrating a level-headedness rarely seen. Iyshwarya Rajesh, Ramesh Thilak, Yogi Babu, and the supporting cast contribute significantly. The film garnered numerous accolades upon release and earned screenings at various international film festivals. A prime example of exceptional craftsmanship and brilliant writing, this movie is sure to have left a lasting impression on every viewer.

Uriyadi (2016)

In several aspects, this movie took audiences by surprise. Noteworthy elements include the unexpected subtlety and realism in stunt choreography, as the director Vijay Kumar even highlights a few genuine injuries incurred on set. The unabashed portrayal of violence, coupled with an utterly bold screenplay depicting the unruly system of caste-based political parties. It effectively defies cliches and still successfully operates as both a compelling buddy film and a political thriller. It features gritty and violent undertones as well. The first-rate song compositions by Masala Coffee further enhance the overall experience.

Indru Netru Naalai (2015)

Sci-fi has now become a reliable genre in Tamil cinema. Certain star-backed sci-fi vehicles had previously failed to rise to the expectations surrounding them. Indru Netru Naalai is essentially a low-brow romantic comedy revolving around the element of time-travel. For a low-budget flick, the technical values seemed pretty competent and the screenplay was smartly conceived. Karunakaran is a blast!