As 2024 unfolds, it is becoming increasingly clear that this will be a year of monumental significance for Tamil cinema. The signs are unmistakable—a remarkable lineup of movies, coupling with past successes and projections, all herald a year poised to deliver both critical acclaim and record-breaking revenues. Making this year all the more noteworthy is the unique occurrence of simultaneous film releases by heavyweights of the Tamil film industry—Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Vikram, and Suriya, a collective event that has not taken place since 2010.
The year kicks off with a bang as Sivakarthikeyan’s eagerly anticipated ‘Ayalaan’ lights up cinema screens. This sci-fi extravaganza, which has been years in the making, showcases a visual spectacle underscored by substantial investment in VFX. Directed by Ravikumar, known for ‘Indru Netru Naalai’, and marking the return of Isha Koppikar to Tamil films, ‘Ayalaan’ promises to blend high-concept storytelling with the charm of a family entertainer.
Following closely is the legend-packed ‘Indian 2’, which sees actor Kamal Haasan and director Shankar join forces nearly 30 years after the original ‘Indian’. The stakes are high as the protagonist Senapathy reprises his battle against corruption. With an ensemble cast and Anirudh Ravichander helming the music, ‘Indian 2’ is projected to make a significant impact.
Contemporaneously, Dhanush’s ‘Captain Miller’, a collaboration with director Arun Matheswaran, seems poised to offer an intense narrative experience. The film features notable names such as Shiva Rajkumar and Priyanka Arul Mohan, and the reunion of Dhanush with music composer GV Prakash furthers the anticipation, enhanced by the added novelty of an IMAX release.
Director Sriram Raghavan pivots to his Tamil roots with ‘Merry Christmas’, a neo-noir thriller, starring Katrina Kaif in her Tamil debut opposite Vijay Sethupathi. Their chemistry, along with a differing cast in each language version, promises a captivating experience.
‘Suriya’s ‘Kanguva’, helmed by director Siva, may become one of the costliest Indian films to date. The promotional materials suggest an unprecedented cinematic offering. With Disha Patani and Bobby Deol debuting in Tamil cinema, expectations are soaring, especially after Suriya’s absence from theaters for nearly two years.
The upcoming sequel to 2021’s ‘Sarpatta Parambarai’ is set to offer a hard-hitting return with director Pa Ranjith and actor Arya. Foregoing a theatrical release due to the pandemic, fans are eager to experience this sequel’s raw power on the big screen.
‘Pa Ranjith’s ‘Thangalaan’, starring Vikram, delves into India’s colonial past and tribal struggles, and boasts of a stellar cast including Pasupathy and Malavika Mohanan. Parvathy Thiruvothu’s return to Tamil cinema after an eight-year hiatus adds further intrigue to this historical drama.
Actor Sivakarthikeyan’s 21st project, currently known as ‘SK21’ and produced by Kamal Haasan promises to garner attention. Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and featuring music by GV Prakash, this film’s appeal is amplified by Sai Pallavi’s presence as the female lead.
‘The Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT) marks Vijay’s reunion with Sneha after 22 years and composer Yuvan Shankar Raja after a gap of two decades. A sci-fi spectacle with a hint of characters in dual roles, ‘GOAT’ boasts a galaxy of stars contributing to its grandeur.
Little is known about Ajith Kumar’s upcoming ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’, directed by Magizh Thirumeni, but the air of mystery only enhances the anticipation. Co-stars Trisha and Arjun heighten the curiosity surrounding this enigmatic title.
Rajinikanth’s latest, ‘Vettaiyan’, sees him collaborate with Amitabh Bachchan again after three decades. Directed by TJ Gnanavel, the film’s star-studded lineup positions it as a major cinematic event.
The compelling ‘Viduthalai’ awaits a sequel with director Vetri Maran at the helm. With an expansive narrative and Soori and Vijay Sethupathi returning, the sequel is expected to address lingering questions and provide a gripping conclusion.
The cinematic horizon also includes a bevy of smaller yet promising films like ‘Kottukkaali’, which will be showcased at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, and Mari Selvaraj’s ‘Vaazhai’. Meanwhile, ‘Love Insurance Corporation’ fronted by Love Today’s Pradeep Ranganathan and ‘Thani Oruvan’s’ sequel, reuniting actor Jayam Ravi with director-brother Mohan Raja, keep the momentum.
Additional titles like Nayanthara’s ‘Test’, and the onset of high-profile projects like Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam’s ‘Thug Life’, extend an invitation to audiences for a year filled with narrative richness and visual splendor in Tamil cinema. The anticipation is palpable, the stakes are high, and if the promise held by these projects is anything to go by, movie-goers are in for a remarkable cinematic journey throughout 2024.
