The Biggest Disappointments in Tamil cinema, 2013

The biggest disappointments of 2013 were surprisingly from some of the most influential and popular filmmakers. Being successful might not be easy, but maintaining success certainly seems to be a monumental task.

The verdict this year was not to settle for mediocrity, even from the most respected Mani Ratnam, Radha Mohan or Vasanth.

Here are some of the films that people simply refused to accept.

Kadal

Dir: Mani Ratnam

Cast:  Gautham Karthik, Thulasi Nair, Arjun, Arvind Swamy

The powerful combination of the six-time National Award winner, Mani Ratnam, the man who revolutionised Indian cinema, and sensational music by the great A R Rahman, raised expectations for the film to almost fever pitch.

Unfortunately, even the most diehard fans of Mani Ratnam were disappointed by this very average love story based on the age old concept of good versus evil. 

Despite the terrific performances and the memorable music, Kadal did not live up to the expectations from a Mani Ratnam film.

Director:  Ameer Sultan

Cast:  Jeyam Ravi, Neetu Chandra

Ameer's Aadhi Bhagavan was a colossal waste of time.  It’s almost impossible to believe that this is a film by the director of one of the biggest hits of all time, Paruthiveeran. 

Never-ending violence, melodramatic characters, nonsensical situations, and a total lack of coordination and chemistry among the cast made Aadhi Bhagavan one of the biggest disappointments of the year.

Director:  Radha Mohan

Cast:  Allu Sirish, Yami Gautam, Prakash Raj

The highly sensitive and volatile subject of ‘honour’ killing became callous and dispassionate in the hands of director Radha Mohan.

His earlier films such as Abhiyum Naanum and Mozhi showed a deep understanding of human emotions, but he seemed completely out of his depth with Gouravam.

Marred by poor performances, lack of a solid script and poor execution, the film failed to bring out the gravity and pathos of this serious issue that needs to be debated in contemporary society.

Director:  Vasanth

Cast:  Arjun, Cheran, Vemal, Muktha Bhanu

Poignant stories of love have been the characteristic feature of ace director Vasanth’s emotional and thought-provoking films. In MPMK three stories of love are set in three different landscapes - by the seaside, in the mountains and on the plains. But not one tugs at your heartstrings. 

Even with the highly accomplished Arjun and Cheran in the cast, the stories and the characters left you unperturbed and dispassionate, taking away the very essence of a love story.

Director:  M Rajesh

Cast:  Karthi, Kajal Aggarwal, Santhanam

Master of romantic comedies with three back-to-back hits, Boss Engira Bhaskaran, SMS and OKOK, director M Rajesh came up with a total dud this year. 

An utterly ridiculous film, painfully long, with neither convincing romance nor comedy, and characters that make you cringe, All in All Azhagu Raja was a complete disaster.