Best Male Performances of 2018

2018 is the year that saw the films of most of the mega stars of Kollywood Vijay, Suriya, Dhanush, Simbu and Vijay Sethupathi along with the legends Superstar Rajinikanth and Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan. Here we take a look at some of the most impressive performances by the leading men who dared this year to take on some of the most complex characters.

Sathyaraj - 'Kanaa'

Sathyaraj as the farmer heading towards bankruptcy is brilliantly cast and while he shines in every frame the one standout moment is his emoting when his daughter calls him to inform him of getting to play for India but he is in the worst possible position.

Ram - 'Savarakaththi'

It would sure sound like a cliche but that is the truth that Ram has lived the role of Pichai and has brought him to life not only through the constant agitated behavior he exhibits but also in moment of soliloquy when he is on the run. He is an absolute delight when going full on high decibel to Mysskin but later when he sees that he is outnumbered and starts running. In the violent climax tussle he is at his best when he draws inspiration from his children and fights back.

Antony - 'Merkku Thodarchi Malai'

Antony as Rangasamy has delivered a matured performance right from his introduction as an earnest youngster till he reaches middle age and the most admirable aspect is the manner in which he expresses the dignity of his character throughout the film.

Arulnithi - 'Iravukku Aayiram Kangal'

Arulnithi takes to such scripts like a fish to water and here too he is in his elements. His interactions with the heroine are mature and natural while he is very effective in the action scenes too.

Harish Kalyan - 'Pyaar Prema Kadhal'

Harish Kalyan as Shree is brilliant carrying himself with an ease that is infectious. When letting out a 'Oooh" every time he makes headway with his girl, getting physical with her at the slightest opportunity or interacting with his parents and friends Harish brings to life your everyday guy to perfection.

Kathir - 'Pariyerum Perumal'

Much has been talked about Kathir's promise as a performer even by his contemporaries like Vijay Sethupathi. After a long time he gets a chance to prove his caliber which he does in flying colors. Right from conveying his oppressed self through body language to maintaining a decent distance with the heroine to finally erupting under pressure the young hero has given an award worthy performance. The most remarkable thing about Kathir is his endurance of extreme physical pain for his role like rolling off a bicylce down a steep rocky slope to getting thrown around in rough terrain.

Vishnu Vishal - 'Ratsasan'

Among the younger generation of heroes, Vishnu Vishal is one who can handle many types of characters with ease. Here his fit body suits the role of the aspiring filmmaker turned junior cop. He is very convincing when he brainstorms his way into deducing the unknown killer and when he breaks down on losing a dear one.

G.V. Prakash - 'Naachiyaar'

GVP as Kaathu is a revelation as he gets under the skin of an unkempt young orphan on the brink of poverty. The climax belongs to GVP as he questions Jyothika's stand and takes a sensitive decision for his love of the girl.

Jayam Ravi - 'Tik Tik Tik'

In India's first space movie Jayam Ravi nails it first as the escape artist and then once on the space ship he convinces the audience that he is indeed beyond gravity and also impresses with the emotional scenes with his son'character played by his real life offspring Aarav Ravi.

Vishal - 'Irumbu Thirai'

The tall and well built Vishal has no problems convincing the viewer of his army background and needless to say that he excels in the fight scenes, especially the climax encounter with Arjun. He scores in the emotional department too when he bursts out to his father Delhi Ganesh accusing him of spoiling his life.

Dhanush - 'Vada Chennai'

Dhanush for his part lives as Anbu, he is in a character that he adores; an unexpected neighborhood lad rising to the occasion by standing his feet for his belief. The caliber of this phenomenal actor is evident when he manages to overshadow the ensemble cast who inhabit wonderfully written characters all around him.

Simbu - 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'

Simbu's character Etti who has the most favored role in the screenplay and what a comeback by the young superstar. His softer side attracts in the beginning where he showers love on his mother and girlfriend. Once his grand ambitions surface Simbu transforms into a ruthless animal who is in character till the last frame.

Karthi - 'Kadaikutty Singam'

Karthi is a complete package as the hero in this film continuing the fine form he hit with 'Theeran Adhigaram Ondru'. He spiritedly gets into the character of the farmer, and since his passion shows in his body language the long drawn speeches about the importance of agriculture don't sound like propaganda preaching. When it comes to sentiments his expressions play out like a symphony one moment melting with love for his sisters and the other showing angry desperation when they dont reciprocate. He has also excelled in the fight scenes transforming into a bull mowing several henchmen into the air to all corners of the frame.

Vijay Sethupathi - '96' and 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'

There are too many moments in '96' for VJS to prove what a special actor, he is and one of them is when Trisha calls him a "Naattu Kattai Paiyan" and watch him become uncomfortable and pleased at the same time - a class act. Another example is his mad scramble in the dark when Trisha sings his favorite song for him and the Makkal Selvan reacts as if he is absorbing it into his body. Few can fight their tears when Vijay Sethupathi locks up one more memorabilia of his love for life in the closing shot. In Mani Ratnam's kickass multistarrer 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' the Makkal Selvan as Rasool is so brilliant that in a scene when Simbu compares him with Sivaji Ganesan you dont disagree with him one bit.

Suriya - 'Thaana Serndha Koottam'

Playing a strict police officer is a piece of cake for Suriya, only this time he has to dream of playing an IT officer. Being a honest officer is one thing and trying to be is another, Suriya presents himself rather well as the fake utthaman, a role he can be proud of. Its good break for the actor who has been donning serious roles for a while.

Vijay - 'Sarkar'

Vijay as Sundar has given full joy to his fanbase and the general audience with his versatile performance. If he is lightning quick with the dance moves, he is an absolute tornado in the fight sequences. Add to that the trademark Thalapathy punches and swag that sends the "Nanbas, Nanbees and Kutty kutties" into ecstasy.

Kamal Haasan - 'Vishwaroopam 2'

Innumerable words have already been written about Kamal Haasan's exemplary acting but here you get to see yet another shade which is more on the subtle side. There is a moment of sadness with his mother (Waheeda Raman) and one of deep sorrow with Andrea and the way he expresses them with just a lump in his throat and a cracking voice on the phone is again a master class. Other heroes need low angles and jazzy edits to execute a mass scene but the Ulaganayagan does it laid back on a chair when he confronts the "Delhi Man" (Anand Mahadevan) also cleverly conveying his political ideology. At 63 he gives the youngsters a run for their money in the action sequences.

Rajinikanth - 'Kaala' & '2.0'

Rajini just breezes into the role of Chitti, Vasee and two other surprises with ease. At his age the physical effort commands respect. In his other film 'Kaala' directed by Pa. Ranjith the Thalaivar simply rocks with his subtle histrionics bringing the character of a Mumbai don as close to life as possible but yet retaining his larger than life image as an inspirational persona that only he can pull off.

2018 is the year that saw the films of most of the mega stars of Kollywood Vijay, Suriya, Dhanush, Simbu and Vijay Sethupathi