How was 2016 and how 2017 is going to be for our Kollywood Heroes

The year 2016 is getting closer to the end and it has been a year of boquets and blows for the Kollywood. Despite various other factors and counter arguments heroes remain as the most important pulling factor of Tamil films and the fans of stars convert into a lion’s share of footfall for movie halls.
Let us have a look at what our lovable heroes have done this year and what lies ahead for them.

Rajinikanth

After two back to back box office failures –‘Kochadaiyaan’ and ‘Lingaa’ placed him in a spot where he badly needed a major hit to retain his ‘Box Office Samrat’ status. In 2016 the ever indomitable Rajinikanth did that in style with ‘Kabali’ directed by Pa.Ranjith. The film despite getting mixed reviews from critics turned out to be the biggest blockbuster of the year.
Rajinikanth had teamed up with director Shankar for the third time for ‘2.0’ the sequel to their 2010 mega blockbuster ‘Enthiran’. This film scheduled to hit the screen for Deepavali 2017 is being made on an estimated budget of Rs.400 crores with the presence of Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson in the star cast and A.R.Rahman’s music score. The shooting is 80% complete.

The Superstar who recently turned 66 has also signed another project with director Ranjith and this film will be produced by Dhanush. The shooting of this yet to be titled film is expected to go on floors by early 2017.

Kamal Haasan

Kamal fans enjoyed three releases of their Ulaganayagan in 2015 but 2016 has ended as a dry spell for them. The multi talented legend launched his Tamil-Telugu-Hindi trilingual ‘Sabaash Naidu’ and started shooting for the film in late May with the aim of releasing it in August or September. But after completing the first schedule, the film's progress has come to a grinding halt due to a leg injury suffered by Kamal Haasan who is also the director of the flick. Kamal underwent a surgery and had to be in rest at home for several months.
The shooting of 'Sabash Naidu' is expected to resume by January 2017 as Kamal has started coming out of home and apparently is preparing to restart work. If that happens the film can be expected to hit the screens latest by Summer 2017.

Kamal Haasan's long delayed 'Viswarooapam 2' the sequel to his 2013 blockbuster is also expected to release next year as negotiations to clear the financial difficulties blocking the film's release have started.

Vijay

After the 'Puli' debacle in 2015, Ilayathalapathy VIjay bounced back this year with the blockbuster hit 'Theri'. Directed by young and energetic filmmaker Atlee and produced by Kalaipuli.S.Thanu, 'Theri' is touted to be the second highest grossing Tamil film of the year after 'Kabali' and it reportedly exceeded the collections made by the Rajinikanth starrer in a few locations such as USA. The huge success of 'Theri' proved yet again that Vijay is the Box Office King among the stars who have entered after the 1980s.
Vijay has completed 'Bairavaa' scheduled to hit the screens in January 2017 for Pongal festival. Looking at the trailer the film promises to be a mass entertainer catering to Vijay fans as well as family audiences.
In February 2017, Vijay is expected to start shooting for the film currently referred to as 'Thalapathy 61' which will be directed by Atlee and produced by Sri Thenandal Films banner. This film will release by the last quarter of 2017 if all things go according to the initial plan.

Ajith Kumar

A leg injury suffered by him during the shooting of his 2015 Diwali release blockbuster 'Vedalam' forced Ajith to take rest for six months and he could start shooting for his next film only by the second half of 2016. This film temporarily referred to as 'AK 57' is currently being shot in Bulgaria and the shooting is expected to be wrapped up by January 2017. Directed by Siva and produced by Sathya Jyothi Films banner, the film is touted to be an International Espionage thriller will be hitting the screens on or around April 14, 2017 for Tamil New Year festival.
Ajith film release day is the festival for ardent Ajith fans and they are already started preparing for the celebrations on the day when 'AK 57' will be hitting the screens.

Vikram

Vikram had only one release this year and it is the spy thriller and his first dual role flick 'Iru Mugan'. Vikram played the hero as well as the villain and the film despite getting mixed reviews from critics did not fail to impress fans and movie buffs. This second directorial project of Anand Shankar after 'Arima Nambi' turned out to be a super hit.
Several months after the release of 'Iru Mugan', Vikram will start shooting for a film to be directed by Vijay Chander of 'Vaalu' fame in January 2017. His long expected 'Saamy 2' with director Hari announced in the audio launch function of 'Iru Mugan' in August 2015, is also expected to commence shoot before Summer 2017. In November 2016, director Gautham Menon also confirmed that he will be teaming up with Vikram for a new film and the official announcement can be expected soon. Unconfirmed sources suggest that Vikram will do the Tamil remake of Hollywood super hit horror thriller 'Don't Breathe' and it it will be directed by Anand Shankar.
Fans can expect to have at least two and a maximum of three Vikram starrer to hit the screens in 2017.

Suriya

With the last minute postponment of 'S3' Suriya fans had to settle with just one release of their most favorite star in 2016. However the solo r