Veterans Rajnikanth, Kamal rule supreme

Last October, we looked at the most memorable films of 2010 and some of the films still scheduled before the end of 2010.

Since then, Rajnikanth's Endhiran has become the top-grossing Indian film of all time, breaking the record held by Kamalhassan's Dhasavatharam.

It is interesting to note that the current industry seniors (Kamalhassan and Rajnikanth) have ruled supreme at the box office since 1983. Together they had 15 films that topped the list of top-grossing films for each year. Kamalhassan, with Thoongaathe Thambi Thoongaathe (1983), Naayagan (1987), Aboorva Sagodharargall (1989), Indian (1996), Thenaali (2000), Aallavandhaan (2001), Vasoolraja MBBS (2004) and Dhasavatharam (2008), heads the list with eight films, followed by Rajnikanth who had seven chart-toppers including Baasha (1995), Arunachallam (1997), Padaiyappa (1999), Baba (2002), Chandhramukhi (2005), Sivaji (2007) and Endhiran (2010).

December 12 saw the release of two major films - Shaam's long-delayed Agam Puram and Sandhunu Bhagyaraj's equally delayed Siddhu Plus Two First Attempt. Kodambakkam ended the year with a bang with the release of Kamalhassan's Manmadhan Ambu (December 23) which had an excellent opening worldwide and had the second-biggest opening of 2010 in India.

With the 2010 number one spot firmly with Endhiran, it was Goutham Vasudeva Menon's Vinaithaandi Varuvaaya that held the number two spot with a landmark love story. Karthi Sivakumar had positions three and eight Paiya and Naan Mahaan Alla respectively. Fourth place was a three-way tie among last year's most critically acclaimed film, Angaadi Theru, Tamil cinema's first full-length spoof, Tamil Padam, and Venkat Prabhu's delightful entertainer, Goa.A close fifth is Madrasapattinam, which is India's answer to Titantic. Aarya's Boss Engira Bhaskaran (sixth), Singam (seventh) and Kallavani (ninth) were surprise additions. In 10th position was Prabhu Solomon's unusual romance, Mynaa. A film that could have made it to the top 10 for last year is Surya's Ramgopal Varma, directed Ratha Sarithiram, which took in the ninth highest opening takings for 2010 when it was released on December 3.

Vijayakumar might have the most number of family members in the film industry but the ugly family spat has brought them publicity they did not need. That matter is far from over. (See Hot Gossip below.)

2010 saw the release of the 50th film of Vijay (Sura) and Surya's 25th film (Singam). Ajithkumar's 50th film, Mangatha, was launched and is currently in production.

On the local front, South Africans swelled with pride with the launch of White Gold, which has enjoyed widespread acclaim since its release on November 26. This is the first film to have the coming of indentured Indians to South Africa as its backdrop.

Looking ahead to this year, January 14 will see the release of Vijay's 51st film, Kaavalan, which is expected to boost his flagging career. The film will compete at the box office with Karthi's Siruthai.

After the success of Ghajini, Surya's second film for director AR Murugadhaas, Yezhaam Arivu, is one of the year's most eagerly awaited films.

Other films to look forward to in 2011 include Vijay's 52nd, Velaayudham, Ajithkumar's 50th, Mankatha, Dhanush's second film for director Vetrimaran, Adukalam, and Bala's first commercial film, Avan Ivan, which will have Aarya and Vishal in the lead roles.

Our last 2010 questions and answers:

Q: In which film did Arun Vijay make his debut ? (His name then was Arunkumar)?

A: Sundar C's Murai Maapillai.

Q: In which Kamalhassan movie did music composer MS Visvanathan play a major acting role?

A: Kaadhalaa Kaadhalaa.

Q: Director Shridhar's film Hero 72 was started in 1972 but completed only in 1975. What was its title when released?

A: Vaira Nenjam.

This week's questions:

1. Who directed Dhasavatharamand Manmadhan Ambu?

2. What was Kamalhassan's nickname when he was younger (clue: Aboorva Sagodharargall)?

3. Who sang the immortal song Andha Naall Mudhal Indha Naall Varai from Sivaji Ganesan's Paava Manippu?

• Comments: devan@telkomsa.net