Expectations were high when 2009 was born and now it’s time to take a look at the unique films that made us to sit-up and look at. The year had quite a good number of innovative films blasting at the box-office and the major highlight was the change in audience’s taste that favoured them. Here we go with the listing…

Expectations were high when 2009 was born and now it’s time to take a look at the unique films that made us to sit-up and look at. The year had quite a good number of innovative films blasting at the box-office and the major highlight was the change in audience’s taste that favoured them. Here we go with the listing…

Movies that fall under horror are a rarity in Tamil cinema. Even the little made are loaded with Computer Graphic generated visuals far from convincing the audience. All credit to director Vikram Kumar who came out with an engrossing thriller. P C Sriram’s expert camera works ensured to send chills down the spice in every frame. An engrossing screenplay with no lagging moments bringing the audience to their seat-edges sums up 'Yaavarum Nalam'. The movie was a smooth, out of the box murder mystery that gives one heebie-jeebies.
Bala continued the streak of different backdrop and screenplay with this one as well. From the man who made you to enjoy rowdy Chiyan, trickster Shakthi and Sithan who has no emotions, you get to enter an unexplored world. You get to see a whole set of wonderful characters among the gang of beggars, Agoras, and shameless thugs who earn with cripples and differently abled which made the film stand out. Arthur Wilson's camera spoke lots than what the characters did. Any amount of appreciation is good enough for the pains behind filming a sensitive topic like this. Technically rich visuals, soul-stirring songs and splendid re-recording apart from top-notch performances by the artistes made 'Naan Kadavul' one of its kinds.
Director Arivazhagan definitely has made a stunning mark in his debut venture and this supernatural thriller shouldered by an amateur cast was a fresh try in every way. The screenplay that carried a thrilling plot with water as the pivotal element and visuals manifesting the mood should be called as the greatest advantage. Eeram that starts as a crime thriller takes twists and turns to end up as a horror show. Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa made his lens do all the talking. He has captured the whole movie on a different colour tone as water finds a place in almost every scene is quiet appropriate to the title.
In simple words, Peranmai lived up to its name. It is a film that is different from the regular rhythm pattern of Tamil cinema. It has action, humour, punch dialogues and loads of heroism but all presented in a different mix that touched both our heart and brain. The film brought to light the condition of tribes in our country even after 62 years of independence. Their agony and frustration were brought out in a realistic manner. Peranmai should be called as an ultimate movie with a novel framework, and dedication along with a dramatic screenplay.
Amidst the flock of movies where heroes flex their muscles, utter punch dialogues and sings pointless duets in exotic foreign locations Pasanga came as a whiff of fresh air. Debutant director Pandiraj used the big screen to reflect the joy and emotions among the innocent children. But everything was done by not deviating from regular cinema, as the storyline is a run-of-the-mill stuff. After Mani Ratnam’s ‘Anjali’, this can be called as the most entertaining and clean entertainer that amused kids and grown-ups alike. With everything from the light hearted Childhood pranks, matured love and the climax that left a lovable lump in the throat, Pasanga is surely an eye-opener.
Cheran’s Pokkisham created a lot of hype and hoopla before its release. It promised a romantic tale between a couple, who lived miles apart and their only mode of communication was - love letters. The film stood different for its periodic backdrop and special love tale. Art director Vairabalan deserves all praise for coming up with props that resemble the early 1970s Kolkata and narrow streets of Nagore. The trams, rickshaws pulled by men, post offices and the hospitals have been recreated well. One can just imagine the hard work involved in recreating the buried in time and forgotten locations. Here is an art like comparison between the contemporary love and the romance of the 1970s. Pokkisham is an adorable treasure trove for those who would have loved someone or loved by someone.
Quick Gun Murugun directed by Shashanka Ghosh enjoyed critical acclaims for its innovative screen play. The film was not good at box office collection but left a trace of difference in genre. This western spoof written by Rajesh Devraj is a family entertainer with weird songs, outrageous melodrama and foolish action sequences. This one had Ramba as Mango Dolly and Dr. Rajendra Prasad as Quick Gun Murugan in the lead…