Best of 2015: Top five heroes who ruled Tamil cinema this year

We saw nearly 200 Tamil films release this year across a variety of genres, themes and budgets.

A whole host of newcomers were introduced in Tamil cinema but it was some of the top stars who gave us fantastic performances and movies that we will not forget so easily.  

Here’s a look at the top five actors in Tamil cinema in 2015.

Kamal Haasan

2015 was a special year for Kamal Haasan – and his fans - because he had three releases. He started off the year with the release of director Ramesh Aravind’s Uthama Villain. Written by the Ulaganayagan, we saw the actor play Manoranjan and Uthaman. This movie was also the last film that eminent director and Kamal Haasan’s guru, K Balachander, was part of. Papanasam, the Tamil remake of the Malayalam hit Drishyam, released next. The actor played Suyambulingam and was set in Tirunelveli district. The film was a hit and people realised that no one could have essayed this role better than this uber talented actor. Kamal Haasan wrote the screenplay and starred in his home production Thoongaavanam (remake of the French film Sleepless Night). The movie opened to rave reviews and the actor once again proved his versatility in front of the camera and behind.

Kamal Haasan in 'Papanasam'

Ajith

The ‘Box Office King’ as he is referred to in the Tamil film industry proved that he is indeed one. Thala Ajith had two films this year –Gautham Menon’s Yennai Arindhaal and Siruthai Siva’s Vedhalam. While Yennai Arindhaal opened to mixed reviews, it was Vedhalam that turned out to be the actor’s film with the highest box office opening. The movie grossed more than Rs 120 crore and made Ajith a force to reckon with. His portrayal of Ganesh in the movie had his fans go berserk and of course, the film’s top song ‘Aaluma Dolumaa’ by Anirudh became the anthem of the year in Tamil Nadu.

Ajith in 'Yennai Arindhaal'

Dhanush
This talented actor-producer-singer had a golden year. Dhanush’s Hindi film Shamitabh (directed by R Balki with Amitabh Bachchan and Akshara Haasan) proved that language is no barrier to showcase his talent. He followed up this film with director K V Anand’s Anegan which also received rave reviews. Balaji Mohan’s Maari saw the actor as a local gangster, a total mass role while Velraj’s Thangamagan sees him in a character pre and post marriage. Dhanush also produced numerous hit, award-winning and home productions in 2015 – the National Award-winning hit film Kaaka Muttai, Kaai Sattai, Maari, Naanum Rowdy Thaan, Visaranai and Thangamagan. His year couldn’t have been better! And yes, he also did a lot of relief work during the recent Chennai floods.

Dhanush in 'Shamitabh'

Vikram

The last few years for this gifted actor have been a mixed bag. Vikram started 2015 with director Shankar’s film I which turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films in Tamil cinema. He worked really hard for his roles as Lingesan and Li. Though the movie opened to mixed reviews, the audience and critics appreciated the actor’s hard work, dedication and commitment to the film. Having spent two-and-a-half-years on this project, Vikram showed that as an actor he would go to any lengths for the role and director. However, his second release of 2015 – 10 Endradhukulla – was a damp squib. Expectations were high post I and this movie was a big let-down for the audience. 

Vikram in I

Arvind Swami

Arvind Swami in Thani Oruvan

Director Mani Ratnam introduced him in Thalapathi in 1991 and he became the heart-throb of women post Roja in 1992. Arvind Swami is an actor who just dabbles with cinema but director Jayam Raja’s Thani Oruvan proved that he should definitely do more films. Arvind Swami came back to films after six years with Kadal last year but it was his portrayal of Siddharth Abhimanyu in Thani Oruvan that had the audience and critics awestruck. Women couldn’t get over how good-looking he was and men realised that Arvind Swami was not just about looks but also talent! He currently has another film with Jayam Ravi.