VISITOR COLUMN

With the increasing number of films, artists,technicians, producers, directors and audience, the need for intellectually stimulating yet entertaining movies have become the need of the hour. The taste of the audience has seen a phenomenal change over the past few years and they have evolved from the mainstream commercial cinema to a reasonable and logical cinema. Many people from the film fraternity have understood the above statement and have given wonderful films for Tamil cinema and their audience. As we go more deep into the subject, the number of commercial and mindless fun films has reduced. But the question is are we ready to receive such films in the future and are they necessary?

 

The expectations for movies prior to their releases have soared high these times owing to the star cast, production values and content. People want movies that are believable. Although movies like Pizza, Neram, Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer, Engeyum Eppodhum and Naduvala Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom have been released with zero expectations, they made merry at the box office and in the audience’s hearts. Comparing them to films like Maattraan, Naiyaandi, All in All Azhagu Raja, Rajapattai, Billa-II, Villu and Thalaivaa they released with utmost expectations and tanked at the box office and in the audience’s hearts. Such comparisons are inevitable but a necessary calculation for the film fraternity to overlook the possibilities of success or failure from a viewer’s point of view.

 

Speaking about commercial movies, the past decade has been very successful for the Tamil Film Industry since movies like Dhool, Ghilli, Dasavatharam, Run, Mankatha, Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Sivaji, Villain, Singam and many such high star-value branded films found their place in the industry. Recently, small budget films have made their way ahead with a simple, straight and intriguing storyline which proves that good films are still accepted by people even with no advertisement. But some films which were commercially successful were criticized by the audience for lacking of a strong script or illogical scenes. Take for instance Singam-II. The film was targeted by many film critics and criticized for its length, unwanted dialogues and scenes but it is one of the highest grossing films of Tamil cinema. Producers received their money back and selected audiences loved it but majority of the audience slammed the movie. One can understand that their motive was to entertain but they keep forgetting the fact that the intelligence levels of the current audience is way high than they expect it to be. Do we want such films anyway?

 

Then answer might be no for some and yes for some. The answer depends on the people’s reception. Now since Tamil Cinema has been taken to a different level by filmmakers such as Kamal Hassan, Shankar and A. R. Murugadoss, the need for mind-blowing taut films have risen. But audiences still love mindless yet exciting and entertaining stylish films such as Paiyaa and Ayan. At times, the eyes want to visualize some captivating thrillers such as Anjathey, Kaakha Kaakha, Naan Mahan Alla, Nandha, Onayum Attukuttiyum, Ghajini and Virumaandi or scintillating romances such as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, Raja Rani, Sillunu Oru Kadhal, Mounam Pesiyathe, Sachein and many more. Tamil Cinema is known for its different genres and the audience are known for their taste.

The question still prevails. Do we need loud, brainless and bromidic movies in the future? Well, it all depends on us, the viewers. So get ready to be changed for some exciting changes, as we dominate the industry.