'New' tops Tamil boxoffice

Chennai, July 19 (IANS): "New" has risen to the top Tamil film slot. Here's a list of the top five:

1. "New" - Directed by S.J. Suryah and featuring him and Simran, this film has had a surprise bumper opening at the box office. Like Suryah's earlier film "Valee", it can be described as a daring film that deals with a theme not touched by many.

The film's success can also be attributed to its bold scenes and dialogues, replete with double entendres. A.R. Rahman's music, which has been topping the charts, has helped the film in no small way. It is to be seen whether "New" can sustain the initial pull at the box office.

2 "Gilli": Though "New" has supplanted "Gilli" at the top slot, the Vijay-starrer still manages to attract crowds in droves. As "O podu" from "Gemini" became a cult song, "Appadi podu" from "Gilli" has also risen to that status. The fast pace of the film and the visuals of the song "Appadi podu" are two of the major factors that have made the film a huge success.

3. "Jore": Star-sons have been flooding the Tamil film industry in large numbers and "Jore" is yet another movie made with the sole intent of publicising a star-son.

After a disastrous debut, Sibi Raj plays an action hero in a film that has his real father, Sathyaraj, playing his reel father. However, this film directed by Selva has nothing new to offer and is at number three only because it has just been released.

4. "Machi" - In "Machi", it is not a star-son but a star-grandson who is the hero. Starring Sivaji Ganesan's grandson Dushyanth, the film has had an average opening. But compared to Dushyanth's forgettable first film "Success", "Machi" can be termed tolerable.

There's nothing great about Vasantha Kumar's direction, and there's nothing original about the story either. The film also has a new music director, A.R. Rahman's sister, Raihanah, but her music can only be described, again, as forgettable.

5. "Perazhagan" - A remake of the Malayalam hit "Kunjikoonan", it continues to attract people. After the commercially successful "Kaakha Kaakha", Surya was appreciated for his performance in Mani Ratnam's "Ayutha Ezhuthu". All those who have seen both the Tamil and Hindi versions vouch for the fact that Surya was miles ahead of two-time national award-winner Ajay Devagn in "Ayutha Ezhuthu". "Perazhagan's" commercial success has made Surya one of the most sought-after actors in Tamil cinema.