Kaadhal (transl. Love) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film based on a true story, directed by Balaji Sakthivel, starring Bharath and Sandhya. It was produced by S. Shankar and featured music composed by Joshua Sridhar. The film opened on 17 December 2004 to critical acclaim and was a high commercial success. It was Bharath's first successful film as a main lead actor. The film was dubbed into Telugu as Premisthe in 2005. It was remade in Kannada as Cheluvina Chittara in 2007, in Bengali as Chirodini Tumi Je Amar in 2008, in Bangladesh as Nogor Mastan in 2015, in Marathi as Ved Laavi Jeeva in 2010, in Nepali as Manjari in 2013 and in Punjabi as Ramta Jogi in 2015.
Red is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Singampuli and produced by S S Chakravarthy. The film stars Ajith Kumar and Priya Gill in the lead roles, while Manivannan, Raghuvaran and Salim Ghouse played pivotal roles. The film's background score and soundtrack are composed by Deva.
Perazhagan is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Sasi Shanker and produced by AVM Productions. It is a remake of the director's 2002 Malayalam film Kunjikoonan. The film stars Suriya and Jyothika, each in dual roles, while Vivek, Manorama, Bobby, Thalaivaasal Vijay, and Devan play supporting roles. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with cinematography by R. Rathnavelu and editing by Anthony. The film released on 7 May 2004. For his performance, Suriya won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil and Jyothika won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.
Arinthum Ariyamalum is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language crime action film written and directed by Vishnuvardhan. It stars Navdeep, Arya, Prakash Raj, and Sameksha, while Adithya, Sangili Murugan, Krishna, and Yog Japee play pivotal roles. The film marks the debut of Arya and the Tamil debut of Sameksha. The film's music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with cinematography by Nirav Shah and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad. "Punnagai Poo" Gheetha, an RJ at a Malaysian radio station THR Raaga, produced the film.
Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language historical-comedy film written and directed by Chimbu Deven in his directoral debut .The film stars Vadivelu in his debut as a solo lead actor. Monica and Tejashree play the female leads, while Manorama, Nassar, Ilavarasu, Sreeman and Nagesh play supporting roles. Sabesh–Murali composed the soundtrack album and background score. S. Shankar produced and distributed the film under his production banner S Pictures.
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, known professionally as Dhanush, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, lyricist and playback singer who primarily works in Tamil cinema. Having starred in 50 films over his career, his accolades include four National Film Awards, fourteen SIIMA Awards, eight Filmfare Awards South and a Filmfare Award. One of the highest paid actors in Indian cinema, he has been included in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list six times.
Vinayagar Sundar Vel, known professionally as Sundar C, is an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, playback singer and film producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films and received the Kalaimamani award. He is one of the most popular film maker in Tamil cinema.
Padikkadavan (transl. Illiterate) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film written and directed by Suraj and produced by B. Venkatarama Reddy. It stars Dhanush and Tamannaah Bhatia alongside an ensemble supporting cast including Vivek, Atul Kulkarni, Suman, and Sayaji Shinde. The music was composed by Mani Sharma with cinematography by A. Venkatesh and editing by Manoj. Filming began on 5th April 2008, with an inaugural pooja, and the movie was finally released on 14 January 2009 during Pongal festival and received a huge positive response. The film was successful, grossing ₹15 crore in Tamil Nadu and established Dhanush as one of the top five bankable heroes of Tamil cinema after then.
Subramaniapuram is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language period action film written, produced, and directed by Sasikumar. Sasikumar cast then relatively new actors Jai, Swathi, Samuthirakani, Ganja Karuppu, and himself in pivotal roles. The film also marked Swathi Reddy’s Tamil film debut. The music was composed by James Vasanthan with cinematography by S. R. Kathir and editing by Raja Mohammad.
Vadivelu is an Indian actor, comedian and playback singer. Since the 1990s, he has acted mainly as a comedian in Tamil cinema and is renowned for his slapstick comedies. Vadivelu has won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian five times for his works in Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996), Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000), Thavasi (2001), Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi (2006) and Kathavarayan (2008). He has also won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian – Tamil two times for his work in Chandramukhi (2005) and Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006). He has won the Vikatan Award for Best Comedian in Pokkiri (2007). He also won the Vijay Award for Best Comedian for his work in Marudhamalai (2007) and was nominated three times in the Best Comedian category for his work in Aadhavan (2009), Nagaram (2010) and Kaavalan (2011). He has acted as a hero in six films in Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006), Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan (2008), Tenaliraman (2014), Eli (2015), Naai Sekar Returns (2022) and Maamannan (2023).
Va is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film written and directed by Pushkar–Gayatri. It stars Shiva, SPB Charan and Lekha Washington, with Kalyan, John Vijay and Abhinayashree playing supporting roles. The film's story takes place in one night, in which a man, with the help of his would-be brother-in-law, hunts for a last liquor before leaving to Saudi Arabia.
Ajith Kumar is an Indian actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. Apart from a small role in the 1990 Tamil film En Veedu En Kanavar, his professional career began three years later with his debut as a lead actor in Tamil cinema with Amaravathi (1993). Despite being a moderate success, the film helped him obtain more modelling assignments. He followed it up the same year with Prema Pusthakam, his only Telugu film to date. After Amaravathi's release, Ajith opted against acting, and instead tried pursuing a career in auto racing. While training for an amateur race, he injured his back and underwent three major surgeries, leaving him bed-ridden for a year and a half. After recovering from the injury, he played supporting roles in Paasamalargal (1994) and Pavithra (1994). After this, he co-starred with Vijay in Rajavin Parvaiyile (1995). That same year, he had his breakthrough with the romantic thriller Aasai. His performance earned him critical acclaim and established him as an up-and-coming actor in Tamil cinema.
Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai is a 2011 Tamil-language mystery comedy drama film directed by Suseenthiran, based on the short story of the same name penned by writer Bhaskar Sakthi. The film stars Appukutty and Saranya Mohan in lead and features music by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was initially reported to be jointly produced by Gautham Vasudev Menon's Photon Kathaas and Escape Artists Motion Pictures. but was then produced by the latter only, while Cloud Nine Movies would distribute film. The film released on 12 May 2011 to critical acclaim but commercially did average collections.
Vivek (1961–2021) was an Indian actor and comedian who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He won three Filmfare Best Comedian Awards for his performances in Run, Saamy and Perazhagan. In April 2009, Vivek received the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for his contribution to the arts. He was introduced to filmdom by renowned director K. Balachander.
Rasu Madhuravan was a Tamil film director known for family dramas. He began his career as an assistant director to Manivannan, and made his directorial debut with Poomagal Oorvalam. He died on 9 July 2013 from throat cancer.
Suriya is an Indian actor and film producer who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He made a commercially successful cinematic debut in Vasanth's Nerrukku Ner (1997). After few critical and commercial failures, Suriya collaborated with Vasanth again in Poovellam Kettuppar (1999), his first film with his future wife Jyothika.
Dhanush is an Indian actor, film producer, screenwriter and film director known for his work in Tamil cinema. He has also appeared in some Hindi, English and Telugu films. He made his acting debut in 2002 with the coming of age drama, Thulluvadho Ilamai, directed by his father Kasthuri Raja. His role as a mentally-disturbed man in Kaadhal Kondein (2003)—directed by his brother Selvaraghavan—won him critical acclaim. The following year, he starred in Subramaniam Siva's Thiruda Thirudi, a commercial success. This was followed by a series of commercial failures—Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan (2004), Sullan (2004) and Dreams (2004). He had two releases in 2005—Devathaiyai Kanden and Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam.
Vijay is an Indian actor, playback singer and politician who works in Tamil cinema. He made his cinematic debut in 1984 with Vetri, directed by his father, S. A. Chandrasekhar. After appearing in Chandrasekhar's films as a child artist, Vijay made his debut as a lead actor with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) at the age of 18. He followed it with a role opposite Vijayakanth in Senthoorapandi (1993). Vijay went on to play lead roles in his father's directorial ventures such as Rasigan (1994) and Deva (1995)Vishnu Most of those films were successful commercially.
Pa Paandi is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written, directed and produced by Dhanush, in his directorial debut. It stars Rajkiran in the titular role, alongside Revathi, Prasanna, Chaya Singh, while Dhanush, Madonna Sebastian, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Dhivyadharshini made cameo appearances. The film follows Pa Paandi, a retired stunt master in the film industry who travels to Hyderabad to seek out freedom, and also to reunite with his old village lover.
Bodinayakkanur Ganesan is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by O. Gnanam. The film stars Harikumar and Arundhati, with Ravi Shankar, Soori, L. Raja, Christopher, Dindigul Alex, Stills Kumar, M. Thirupathi and V. Venkatesh playing supporting roles. The film, produced by Athiralakshmi and Atul Krishna, had musical score by John Peter and was released on 29 July 2011.
