Most Expected Tamil Films of 2016 - Part 1

In the year 2015, 204 direct Tamil films have released and the passing year had been a tremendous year for Tamil cinema in terms of Box office success, global reach of Tamil films and quality of films improving in various aspects.

The year 2016 is expected to have more number of releases. On the New Year Day five films 'Malai Nerathu Mayakkam', 'Azhagu Kutti Chellam', 'Tharkappu', 'Peikal Jakkiradhai' and 'Karaiyoram' released. The Pongal festival has seen the release of Sivakarthikeyan starrer 'Rajini Murugan', 'Tharai Thappattai' directed by Bala, Vishal's 'Kathakali' and Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'Gethu'. All the four films have reaped the benefits of the long festival weekend and they are now running in theaters with packed shows.

The upcoming weeks are going to see a flurry of released and here we bring you the list of films that are most expected by the audience for one or many reasons. The list includes the movies that are either ready to release, under various stages of production, that have been officially launched/announced. All these films are expected to hit the screens in the year 2016.

In this first part we have singled out 20 most expected films that are most likely to release within the first six months of the year.

Kabali

Cast: Superstar Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte, Dhanshika, Kalaiyarasan, Dinesh, John Vijay, Kishore, Riythivika, Taiwan actor Winston Chao and Malaysian actor Rosyam Nor and others

Crew: Writer, Director- Pa. Ranjith; Music- Santosh Narayanan; Cinematography- Murali.G; Production- V Creations of Kalaipuli S.Thanu

Status- Shooting nearing completion

Release: May 1, 2016 (Tentative)

Highlights:

• Superstar Rajinikanth acting as a don after Baasha and playing the character of his age;
• Rajinikanth teaming up with young team of Ranjith, Santosh Narayanan and Murali;
• Pan Indian actress Radhika Apte as heroine.

Theri

Cast: Ilayathalapathi Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson, J.Mahendran. Prabhu, Radhika, Naan Kadavul Rajendran, Baby Nainika and others

Crew: Writer, Director-  Atlee; Music- G.V.Prakash; Cinematography- George.C. Williams; Production- V Creations of Kalaipuli S.Thanu

Status: Shooting nearing completion

Release: April 14, 2016

Highlights:

• Ilayathalapathi Vijay acting as a police officer
• Vijay acting as the father of Baby Nainika  (Meena’s daughter)
• Director J.Mahendran acting in the villain role
• Vijay’s first film with the young director Atlee
• Amy Jackson first film with Vijay
• G.V.Prakash Kumar’s 50th film as a music composer.

24

Cast: Suriya, Samantha, Nithya Menen, Girish Karnad, Sathyan, Saranya Ponvannan and others.

Crew: Writer, Director-  Vikram Kumar; Music- A.R.Rahman; Cinematography-Kiran Deohands, Tirru; Production- Suriya, 2D Entertainments

Status: Postproduction

Release: April 14 2016 (Tentative)

Highlights:

• Suriya in triple roles for the first time
• Suriya with Vikram Kumar of Yaavarum Nalam' fame
• A.R.Rahman's music for Suirya film after Aaytha Ezhuthu' and Sillunu Oru Kadhal'.

Rail (Tentative title)

Cast: Dhanush, Keerthy Suresh, Pooja Jhaveri, Radharavi, Chinni Jayanth, Harish Uthaman,

Crew: Writer, Director-  Prabhu Solomon; Music- D.Imman; Production- Sathyajothi Films

Status: Shooting almost completed

Release: Expected in the first half of  2016

Highlights:

• Prabhu Solomon’s first film with a star like Dhanush
• Keerthy Suresh first film with Dhanush
• Entire film happening in a train journey from Delhi to Tamil Nadu.

Idhu Namma Aalu

Cast: Silambarasan, Nayanthara, Andrea Jeremiah, Soori

Crew: Writer, Director-  Pandiraj; Music-Kuralarasan Production- T.Rajendhar, Chimbu Cine Arts

Status: Ready for release.

Release: February 12, 2016 (Tentative)

Highlights:              

• Former lovers Silambarasan and Nayanthara pair up onscreen after a gap of eight years.
• Pandiraj first film with Simbu
• Soori replaces Santhanam for comedy in a Simbu film
• Simbu’s younger brother Kuralarasan debuts as a music director.

Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada

Cast: Silambarasan, Manjhima Mohan

Crew: Writer, Director-  Gautham Vasudev Menon; Music- A,R,Rahman; Cinematography- Don Maccarthur Production-  Gautham Menon, Photon Kathas and Ondraga Entertainment

Status:  Shooting nears completion.

Release: April 14, 2016 (Tentative)

Highlights:

• Gautham-Simbu-A.R.Rahman trio's second film after the super hit Vinnai Thandi Varuvaaya'