This has been a mixed year for Tamil films at the box-office. Till December, there have been 196 Tamil releases, and nearly 10 films have advertised a December 30 release. In 2014, there were 205 releases, and it came down to 202 films in 2015. Out of the 200-odd releases this year, 20 would have been profitable or can be termed hits for the producers concerned.
Almost 70 to 80 per cent of film profits (depending on the hero) come from Tamil Nadu theatrical rights alone. A producer sells overseas and India rights before the release, and if the hero has a market in Andhra Pradesh, Telugu dubbing prices fetch a bigger amount. All big Tamil action hero films have a dubbed Hindi satellite market. There is hardly any audio market for Tamil films, and a few films are picked by labels on a commission basis.
The Tamil satellite market has crashed as films like Kabali and Theri are yet to be picked up by local channels. On the flip side, with the various industry associations fighting each other, piracy is rampant. Factors such as the demonetisation move, cyclone Vardah that hit Chennai and Chengalpet areas, have crippled the box-office.
Another unique factor of the year is that two original Tamil films – Suriya’s 24 and Vijay Antony’s Pichaikaaran – dubbed in Telugu, have had double and triple collections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, than Tamil Nadu. Pichaikaaran is a superhit in Tamil Nadu, but went on to become a blockbuster in Telugu.
Here is a list of the films that have done well at the Tamil Nadu box-office this year, based on ROI (return on investment). Theri is the blockbuster of the year.
The superhits in the order of their release dates are Rajini Murugan, Irudhi Suttru, Pichaikaaran, Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran, Iru Mugan, and Remo. The hits and safe bets (break even) films from TN theatricals are Aranmanai 2, Sethupathi, Thozha, Manithan, Appa, Idhu Namma Aalu, Dhilluku Dhuddu, Kabali, Dharma Durai, Devi, Kodi, Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada, and Chennai 600028 II.
TOP 5 Films which rocked box office in Kollywood For the year 2016:
1. Kabali
2. Theri
3. Remo
4. 24
5. Iru Mugan
