Good storyline, not stars, made Tamil hits in 2004

Chennai, Jan 2 (IANS): The Tamil hits of 2004 have proved one thing - it is not the super stars who made films successful but the storyline and treatment.

Of the 83 films released in 2004, only eight made profits. Super stars could only manage the initial pull but for a film to run for several weeks it had to have an excellent story.

The Tamil film industry has realised that if the film has a good story and is handled well by the director, it will attract audiences.

The most successful film of 2004 was Dharani's "Gilli" starring Vijay and Trisha Krishnan. Though a 'masala' film in content and treatment, it was the pace of the film that did wonders. People loved the fast pace, the energetic acting of Vijay and Trisha, and Vidyasagar's mind-blowing music.

The music of "Gilli" was the biggest success of the year, and contributed a lot to the film's success, especially the song "Appadi Podu".

When Cheran approached established actors to act in his film "Autograph", nobody was willing. They found the story narrated by him not spicy enough.

Finally, Cheran had to play himself in the film. The autobiographical content of "Autograph" just swept people off their feet with its simplicity and sensitivity.

Once the film became a huge hit, all those who had refused could only repent. Now many filmmakers are after Cheran to book him as an actor.

Selvaraghavan had directed "Thulluvatho Ilamai" for his father but his first official film was "Kadal Kondein". Its music, by Ilaiayaraja's younger son Yuvan Shankar Raja, also was a masterpiece.

This year, Selvaraghavan came out with his eagerly awaited third film, "7 G Rainbow Colony", and he did not disappoint anyone. This was also a big hit and is reported to have done a business of Rs.100 million ($2.3 million).

Another director who made his debut as a hero was S.J. Suryah. With Suryah as the hero, nobody expected "New" to be such a puller at the box office. Viewers lapped up the sex and dialogues laced with double entendres.

One of the best films of 2004 was Kamal Haasan's "Virumaandi". Though made in the commercial format, critics appreciated the way it was presented.

It was Kamal's show all the way as the producer, director, writer and actor. "Virumaandi" was an extremely violent film, full of blood, mutilated bodies and abusive language. But the film was extremely gripping and very well made.

The narrative was quite novel, and the story told in a flashback mode through the eyes of two people. The film did very well at the box office.