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The Top 10 Tamil Films on Children
A L Saivam and Guru Ramesh's Enna Satham Indha Neram may be interesting movies on children. But we've had some classics before.
Films revolving around children have become quite popular with Tamil filmmakers of late. In January this year, Goli Soda featured four boys and went on to become a huge hit.
This was followed by Poovarasam Peepee, a children's adventure film, which also got a good response.
Two more films scheduled to release this weekend are A L Vijay’s Saivam and debutant director Guru Ramesh's Enna Satham Indha Neram.
We take a look back at the top 10 Tamil movies featuring children in pivotal roles.
Deiva Thirumagal (2011)
Director Vijay's Deiva Thirumagal completed its 100-day run at the box office and became a huge success.
The film was inspired by the 2001 Hollywood film, I Am Sam.
Vikram and Baby Sarah played the lead along with Anushka Shetty and Amala Paul.
Deiva Thirumagal narrates the poignant tale of a single father with intellectual and developmental disabilities, engaged in a legal battle to win the custody of his young daughter.
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Thalaimuraigal (2013)
Another compelling film on family relationships, Thalaimuraigal featured the deep, unshakable bond between a grandfather and his grandson.
This was legendary cinematographer/director Balu Mahendra's last beautiful gift to the world of cinema. The 75-year-old master craftsman passed away just a couple of months after the release of the film.
Besides writing, directing, editing and handling the camera, Balu Mahendra for the first time in over four decades made a very successful acting debut in the film, adding yet another feather to his already illustrious cap.
He skilfully portrayed the role of a tough and cynical grandfather. Eight-year-old Karthik played his grandson.
Thalaimuraigal won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration.
Haridas (2013)
Starring Master Prithviraj Das, Sneha and Kishore in the lead roles, Haridas opened to extremely positive reviews.
The film is about a single father struggling to understand the emotional and physical needs of his autistic son.
Without uttering a single line, Prithviraj managed to give a remarkable performance using his expressive eyes and frail gestures.
The film was directed by G N R Kumaravelan and was screened at the 11th Chennai International Film Festival where it won two awards.
Thanga Meenkal (2013)
Baby Sadhana's brilliant performance in director Ram's Thanga Meenkal won her the National Award for Best Child Actor 2013.
The film also bagged the National awards for Best Tamil Film and Best Lyrics for the song Ananda Yaazhai.
The backdrop of the film is the present day education system. It revolves around the special bond shared by a father and his daughter.
Thanga Meenkal was the only Tamil film among 25 feature films to be screened in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Marina (2012)
Directed by Pandiraj, the film recounts the life of poor street children, who make a living selling snacks and water at Marina Beach in Chennai.
Through the character of an orphan, Ambikapathy, played by Pakoda Pandian, the director attempts to bring out the importance of education for every child.
Marina was inspired by Mira Nair's critically acclaimed Salaam Bombay.
Pasanga (2009)
Sasikumar produced this film that won three National Film Awards -- for Best Feature film, Best Dialogues and Best Child Artist for Kishore and Sree Raam, who played significant roles in the film.
A refreshingly different film, Pasanga dealt with the insecurities and conflicts of two 11-year-olds and their determination to outsmart each other.
The film won the Golden Elephant Award for Best Director -- Pandiraj -- at the 2009 International Children's Film Festival.
Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal is the story of a young Sri Lankan girl in search of her biological mother in the midst of the Sri Lankan civil war.
Child star P S Keerthana played the nine-year-old Amudha in the film, whose life turns upside down when she realises that she is adopted.
Keerthana won the National Award for her intense performance in the film. The film won six National Film Awards and was named the best film at several international film festivals.
Anjali (1990)
No list of children's films can be complete without Mani Ratnam's critically acclaimed Anjali.
The film is a heart-wrenching tale of a terminally ill, mentally challenged girl and the emotional trauma experienced by her family.
Anjali was India's official entry to the Oscars in 1991.
The film won three National Awards, including the award for Best Child Artist for Baby Shamili, Tarun and Shruti, who played the three main child characters in the film.
Poovizhi Vasalile (1987)
Directed by Fazil, Poovizhi Vasalile was a suspense thriller featuring Sathyaraj and Baby Sujitha in the lead roles.
The film revolved around a deaf and mute child, Benny, who witnesses the murder of his mother. Benny escapes the killers and is found by Sathyraj, who eventually discovers the truth.
The film was a remake of the Malayalam film Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal, also directed by Fazil.
Poovizhi Vasalile received much critical acclaim and went on to become one of the biggest commercial successes of 1987.
My Dear Kuttichathan (1984)
Originally made in Malayalam, My Dear Kuttichathan was the first 3-D film made in India. The film was an entirely new experience for filmgoers, especially children.
It revolved around the antics of a friendly genie rescued by three children from a cruel magician.
The film was a huge hit.
It was later successfully dubbed in Hindi as Chhota Chetan (1997).
My Dear Kuttichathan won the National Award for Best Children's Film at the 32nd National Film Awards.