Today we shall focus on 25 important films which influenced us since 1990.
Except for Bharathiraja, whom I had already visited in this series all the other 24 directors and their work, have not been discussed till now.
These works are either world cinema, cult classics, great works of art, commercial block busters and/or great initiatives that were ahead of times, works which greatly influenced the growth of cinema itself and representatives of how the society itself wanted to break free of the clutches imposed on them.
Thanks to all these film makers for enriching out lives beyond measure.
Here is the list and a brief note
1. Puthiya Pathai, 1989, Parthiban
Parthiban has been a great gift to the Tamil industry, While Puthiya Pathai was a heart wrenching experience, Parthiban has been one person who has experimented so much until the recently released Otha Seruppu. Parthiban may very well surprise us with something spectacular in the future
2. Kizhakku Vasal, 1990, R.V. Uthayakumar
This is a super special offering from R.V. Uthayakumar, with scintillating music from Ilayaraja. While Karthik, Revathy, Janakaraj and Khusbhoo vie for acting honours, it was Shanmugasundaram who stole the show. Vijayakumar in a way was also unforgettable in the role.
3. Amaidhi Padai, 1994, Mannivannan
A cult classic. Sathyaraj and Amaidhipadai have their place in the hearts of Tamil cinema viewers.
4. Aasai, 1995, Vasanth
Vasanth is one of those directors, who should have accomplished a lot more than he has. Aasai was a very satisfying thriller and some people feel that Aasai is a clever tweak of Uthiripookal. By the way, Not sure, if I read somewhere that Yugi sethu had unofficially written the script for Asai
5. Gokulathil Seethai, 1996, Agathiyan
While Agasthiyan is celebrated for Kadhal Kottai. I liked Kathal kavithai, Vidukathai and Gokulathil Seethai. An interesting and important story especially about the importance and the capability to take decisions.
6. Anthi mantharai, 1996, Bharathiraja
A lovely love story of the elderly, with some great performances by Vijayakumar and Jayasudha. I liked it very much when I saw it in 1996. never got to see it again
7. Kadhal Desam ( 1996), Kadhalar Dinam (1999), Kathir
The signature style of Kathir in narrating the love stories in a grand manner is unique and that much more adds flavour to the variety of Tamil cinema
8. Kauppu Roja, 1996, Panner/Abavanan
Abavannan and the students from the Film institute did their bit to enhance the quality of Tamil Cinema. Abavannan wrote the story for Karuppu Roja, which was the first DTS cinema. Its first shot to educate the viewers about the possibility of DTS is unforgettable. I loved the action choreography in the second half and I thought with limited budget the team aimed high and reasonably executed the film well. I saw it a couple of times in Abirami when it was released and it was quite a spectacle on the big screen
9. Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, 1997, Fazil
A cult classic. Two actors or shall we shalll the two actor's eyes, Srividhya and whoever acted as Shalini's mother, alone ensured that the movie was catapulted to rarefied heights. The climax is unbelievable stuff and reasons why we go the movies.
10. Soorya Vamsam, 1997, Vikraman
A simple story that will have timeless appeal. An evergreen classic. Shall we say this is Vikraman's best?
11. Terrorist, 1998, Santhosh Sivan
Dil Se and Terrorist, two films on suicide bombers were produced by Madras Talkies at the same time. Terrorist was sold possibly sold to john malkovich. We now, only have the title that says, John Malkovich presents. Santosh sivan is in great form and we wonder why he does not make more movies as much as he should. Arthouse variety. Demonstrates that we can make world cinema and as good as anybody should we decide to put our hearts. And Oh! yes, btw, he was the cinematographer who was recently shot Darbar!!!
12. Vaali, 1999, S.J. Suryah
I remember taking my office mates to this movie at Devi cinema and they were quite unimpressed at the beginning, and as the movie progressed, the entire cinema hall was in tensed silence. It had an instant appeal and will remain an instant cult classic. By the way, beginning with Vaali, Simran swayed ('Nilavai Kondu Vaa') the consciousness of the Tamil youth for another five years till her Tappanguthu in Pithamagan.
13. Bharathi, 2000. Gnana Rajasekaran
One of the most important films on one of the most important Indians who will influence the thinking of Indians and Tamilians for ever. Gnana Rajasekeran went on to make films on Periyar and Ramanujam. I had the pleasure of meeting Sayaji Shinde in 2014. Wanted to understand why he did not get the best actor award. I believe that his voice was dubbed. A great performance which helped, effectively narrate the story of the grand old man of Tamilnadu, that reached a vast section of today's youth.
14. Kandu Kondein Kandu Kondein, 2000, Rajiv Menon
A warm story, with a grand visual appeal and a grander music from A.R. Rahman, The movie may be forgotten but not A.R. Rahman's music.
15. Ramana, 2002, A.R. Murgadoss
A.R. Murgadoss started his career with Ramana at about the same time as Boong Jon-Ho. While in 2020, Boong Jon-Ho won the Oscar, Murugadoss ended up making Darbar. If you had an opporuntiy to watch Host(Boong Jon-Ho's first film) and Ramana, you will for sure be able to understand, that Murugadoss's understanding of cinema is top class and certainly no less than Boong Jon-Ho. After his extraordinary first film, one feels sad that Murugadoss has slowly allowed himself to drift. Ramana is one more unforgettable film in the great films made in Tamil cinema history.
16. Kakka kakka, 2003, Gautham Vasudev Menon
GVM's best till date. Super fast, Slick and a pure adrenalin rush. Thrilling, disturbing and dark. Technically brilliant. It is another unforgettable film in the Tamil cinema history
17. Mozhi, 2007, RadhaMohan
Radhamohan and Prakash Raj(producer) made clean entertainers, and came up with Mozhi, Abhiyum Nanum, Payanam and others films. They tossed up lovely comedies with great social messages. Mozhi is a wholesome comedy that has an unforgettable quotient.
18. Kanchivaram, 2008, Priyadarshan
The wildly talented, Priyadarhsan continues to be a prolific film maker. His variety of films is very rich. And some of it is rubbed in Tamil cinema, the superlative Gopura Vasalile and the thought provoking Sometimes. But Kanchivaram is special.
19. Arai En 305, 2008, Simbudevan
Simbudevan's 23am Pulikesi is cult classic. For Arai En 305 was far more ambitious and aspired to raise the bar for Cinema as well as the audience. What if God is tripped of this powers?Content rich, it had you thinking on some of the fundamental aspects of life. If I remember correctly, After all the years. V.S. Raghavan who had been typecast had a great role in Arai En 305
20. Anjathe, 2008, Mysskin
Myssins' best till date. He mixed a good thriller with melodrama and sentimentality and the end product was extremely heavy. It is another slice of unforgettable Tamil cinema
21. Eeram, 2009, Arivazhagan
Now this is possibly one of the most underrated films made. To me this movie is near perfect. Can a horror/thriller be so pleasant? Have always been surprised that Adhi, who was so good, never got the really big breaks. The look and feel, the music and the bewitching pace of the film all made this inot one heady mix.
22. Madrasapattinam, 2010, Al Vijay
Could Chennai/Madras' s history have packaged so well. AL Vijay after making this extraordinary movie flattered to deceive. One would have loved to see a better filmography. I remember Madrasapattinam for the brilliant cameo by my Facebook friend, Karthik Tmk.
23. Engeyum eppodhum, 2011, M. Saravanan
Charming love stories narrated in a sizzling way. The climax was brilliant. It found its way into the heart of all Tamil Cinema viewers
24. Kalyana Samayal Saadham, 2013
This finds its way in this list for its content and courage to discuss issues that normally do not get discussed. The bar was raised and we had a cute film that shred hypocrisy to bits.
25. Kuttra Pathirikkai, 1991 - 2007
You may be surprised why a flawed and a failed film finds its way into the list of 25. America had the guts to make JFK and Malcolm X almost at the same time. In a democracy, different points of view, need to be at least heard.
Around the same time R.K. Selvamani, launched Kutra Pathirikkai to make a film on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
The makers of Kuttra Pathirkai had to run from pillar to post between 1991 to 2004 to get their film released and then when the film was released in 2007, after cuts its had morphed into a love story. Not sure of how much he must have lost, probably a good portion of the prime of his youth. As a film lover and a fellow citizen, the least I can do is write a note of admiration. Here is celebrating the perseverance of Selvamani and his collaborators.
What a shame!!! I guess people need to have their freedom to express their points of view. We can either choose to agree with it , react to it or ignore it, but for heaven's sake let us not shut the mouth of individuals with whom we do not agree!!!
I may have missed other good works of cinema. No offense meant. Look forward to great cinema in the times to come.
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