Cinema Quiz
1. Which Dadsahaeb Phalke Award winner’s christened name was Kumudlal Ganguly?
2. What does the upcoming Kathryn Bigelow film Zero Dark Thirty deal with?
3. What innovation, now an integral part of Indian films, was introduced in New Theatres’ Dhoop Chhaon in 1935?
4. Which Oscar winner has married French dancer Benjamin Millepied, her partner of two years and the father of her 14-month-old son?
5. To which actor did Amjad Khan say ‘Arre O Sambha, Kitne Aadmi the’?
6. The Ramsay family is known for which genre of filmmaking?
7. On which entertainer’s life is the 1980s film Great Balls of Fire based?
8. Which actor handed out the statues to the winners at the inaugural Academy Awards night in 1929?
9. Which Oscar-winning film is based on the book Lost Moon?
10. Which Indian classic has made it back to the noted Sight & Sound’s ‘Top 50 Greatest Films of All Time’ poll?
ANSWERS
- 1. Ashok Kumar.
- 2. The CIA's mission to capture and kill Osama bin Laden.
- 3. Playback singing.
- 4. Natalie Portman.
- 5. MacMohan.
- 6. Horror films.
- 7. Jerry Lee Lewis.
- 8. Douglas Fairbanks.
- 9. Apollo 13.
- 10. Pather Panchali.
Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi EP-25 -DTHRip
1. What was the christened name of Rajesh Khanna?
2. Beginnings. In which Chetan Anand film, that was India’s entry to the Oscars, did he make his debut in 1966?
3. Over a career of 163 films, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor thrice apart from a Lifetime Achievement Award. Name the flicks.
4. The ‘original’ Superstar Rajesh Khanna and his ‘successor’ Amitabh Bachchan did two films together. Name both.
5. Name the S.A. Chandrasekhar-directed film, produced by Rajesh Khanna, which saw the star pair with his wife Dimple Kapadia.
6. Rajesh Khanna was once a Lok Sabha MP. From which constituency was he elected?
7. Which popular music-director-singer combine worked with Rajesh Khanna in 32 films and churned out many hits?
8. Rajesh Khanna’s residence in Mumbai is a tourist spot for millions of his fans. What is it called?
9. Name the remake of the Oscar-winning To Each His Own that saw Rajesh Khanna achieve one of his biggest hits?
10. Which brand’s commercial brought Rajesh Khanna back into the limelight recently?
ANSWERS
- 1. Jatin Khanna.
- 2. ‘Aakhri Khat’.
- 3. Sachaa Jhutha, Anand and Avishkar.
- 4. Anand and NamakHaram.
- 5. Jai Shiv Shankar.
- 6. New Delhi LS Constituency.
- 7. R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar.
- 8. Aashirwad.
- 9. Aradhana.
- 10. Havells fans.
The Indian National Army, hit by desertions and disease, surrenders and several members were publically tried. With this struggle by Indian National Army going on, many war publicity movies came out this year. The movies include Burma Rani, Manasamrakshanam and En Magan. In Burma Rani, three Indian airmen were forced to land in Burma and eventually free the country from Japanease occupation with the help of Indian resistance movement in the state. M. S. Subbulakshmi in MeeraThe plot revolves around a Rani (an Indian girl in Burma) who helps the airmen. T.R.Sundaram played the role of a Japanese commander made-up to look like Hitler.
A saint film about the life of Meera a.k.a Meerabai came out this year. The film features the great M.S.Subbulakshmi. Kalki wrote the songs for this movie (katrinile varum geetham). Originally a Tamil hit, the movie was a very big hit in Hindi as well. In the Hindi version, Sarojini-Naidy introduced Subbulakshmi to the North Indian audience. Srivalli paring T.R.Mahalingam and Rukmani came out. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and N.S.Krishnan were arrested on murder charges and imprisoned.M.G.R and Malini acted in Sri Murugan (a Jupitor picture). P.U.Chinnappa and T.R.Rajakumari paired in Vikata Yogi, a comedy movie.
1000 Thalai Vangiya Aboorva Chintamani was released this year. This movie is based on a famous novel. R.Sundaram directed this movie. Gemini pictures had a full length comedy in Miss Malini. Pushpavalli was the heroine and Kottha Mangalam Subbu played the characteristic role of M.S.Sampath. Along with this movie, a cartoon movie was also shown.
Naam Iruvar, a successful stage play was made into a movie. A.V.M.Meyyappa Chettiar produced the movie. Neelakantan debut in this movie as scenarist and assistant director. The film is replete with national symbols. The movie begins with Bharathi's anniversary and ends with Gandhi's 77th birthday celebrations, characters greetings each other with the 'Jai Hind' salute. The folklore movie, Rajakumari starring M.G.R came out. A.S.A.Samy directed the movie.
M. K. Radha and Rajakumari in ChandralekhaGemini studio released Chandralekha. This is the first Tamil movie, in which more than 30 lakhs of rupees were spent and Gemini was the first Tamil studio to attempt an all-India distribution. The production of this movie took very long time. The movie was a huge success throughout India (the first Madras production to become an all-india hit). S.S.Vasan did the direction, Papanasam Sivan and Kothamangalam Subbu wrote the lyrics and the music was by Saluri Rajeswara Rao. The leading players in this movie include T.R.Rajakumari, M.K.Radha, N.S.Krishnan, Ranjan, Sundarabai, V.Janaki, T.A.Mathuram. The movie was famous for its spectacular dance sequences.T.R.Rajakumari and Ranjan acted in the movie M.K.Radha. S.S.Vasan directed this movie also. This movie came in Hindi too. This movie was released in foreign countries with English sub-titles.
Gemini released Apoorva Sagodharargal (S.S.Vasan's sequel to the hit movie Chandralekha) in three languages (Tamil, Telugu and Hindi). M.K.Radha and Banumathi had acted in this movie. M.K.Radha plays a double role in the movie. Velaikkari's Storywrite Annadurai seen here with Nadigar ThilagamThe Hindi version was less successful than the Tamil one, which broke several records.
Nallathambi starring the comedy pair N.S.Krishnan and Maduram came out. C.N.Annadurai (who founded D.M.K the same year) wrote the story and dialogue. The movie was a propoganda for D.M.K. Velaikkari was another propoganda movie from C.N.Annadurai. Dialogues were the main features in these propoganda movies. The films expounds the anit-caste and anti-clerical populist ideology with long monologues and flowery languages. They were box office hits. Panju directed the movie Krishnan, which depicts social reforms. A.V.M had a trilingual movie in Vaazhkkai. Vyjayanthimala became an all India star in this movie.
Digambara Saamiyar, released in 1950, is based on a novel by Vaduvoor Doraisamy Iyengar. This Modern Theatres movie was directed by T.R.Sundaram. M. N. Nambiyar acted as hero in different disguises. Nagaiah had his best performance in the movie Ezhai Padum Padu. K.Ramnoth, a connoisseur in story telling, screen play, photography and editing directed this movie also. Dancers Lalitha and Padmini were introduced as actresses in this movie. The visual effect was extended by Elangovan's dialogues.
One of the most popular Tamil films of the decade, Manthiri Kumari came out. Karunanidhi wrote the dialogue and M.G.R and Padmini acted in this movie. A. Marudakasi wrote the lyrics and the music director was G. Ramanathan. The movie was shot near Salem in the hill resort of Yercaud, the film is based on an 8th-C. Tamil literary epic.The movie introduced one of the most famous tamil screen villains, Nambiar. Madhuri Devi provides the best performance as a sword-wielding independently minded heroine, rare in films of this period.
Samsaram was a big box office hit in Telugu (N.T.Rama Rao and Nageshwara Rao teamed up). S.S.Vasan produced the movie in Tamil and Hindi. M.K.Radha acted in this movie. The movie was a success in Hindi also. Marmayogi starring M.G.R was released this year. Uncharacteristically for the genre, the film received an Adults Only censor certificate. Another Telugu box office success, Patala Bhairavi was remade in Tamil and Hindi. N.T.R was the hero and Ranga Rao was the villain.
Parasakthi heros: Sivaji and KarunanidhiParasakthi introduced Sivaji Ganesan to the Tamil film world. The movie was produced by National Picture's Perumal Mudaliar and directed by Krishnan-Panju. Karunanidhi wrote the dialogue. Sivaji Ganesan had a spectacular debut in this movie. The dialogue was scripted in line with the party politics. The movie was one of the most elaborately plotted melodramas in the Indian cinema and glorifies the Dravidian heritage, contrasted with the pitiable state of contemporary Tamil Nadu. Almost banned, heavily censored for the temple scene, it was a spectacular commercial hit. Ganesan became the dominant icon of the DMK, replacing Ramasamy who had achieved that status through Annadurai's film Velaikkari.
Avvaiyar, a long time production of Gemini came out this year. The movie was a hagiography of the legendary Tamil saint poetess of the Sangam period. Of her 59 surviving lyrics, 33 are in the Puram mode, addressing wordly matters, wars and politics; and 26 in the Akam mode, addressing the inner world, often of female desire. Kushala Kumari played as a young girl and K.B.Sundarambal played as as adult and G.Pattu Iyer takes the part of Tirunvalluvar. The movie was famous for Sundarambal's classical musical performance. Avvaiyar remains her best-known screen performance, putting her among Vishnupant Pagnis (Marathi) and Chittor V. Nagaiah (Telugu) as actors linked with the saint film genre.
Tamil Movies - History and overview
History of Tamil Cinema can be dated back to 1916 when Nataraja Rangaswamy Mudaliar made Keechaka Vadham, which was also the first silent film in South India. Lead actors of Keechaka Vadham were Jeevarathnam, R. Nataraja Mudaliar and Raja Mudaliar. Other films by Nataraja Mudaliar were Draupadi Vastrapaharanam(1917), Mayil Ravana(1918), Lavakusa(1919), Kalinga Mardanam(1920), Rukmini Kalyanam(1921) and Markandeya(1923). Other names to be mentioned from the distant past of Tamil cinema are R.Venkaiah, R.Prakash, A.Narayanan and K.Subramanyam.
The Thirties
The first talkie in Tamil was H.M.Reddy's Kalidas in 1931. This film told the familiar tale of Kalidas, the legendary Sanskrit poet. It had a cast consisting of P.G.Venkatesan, T.P. Rajalakshmi, Thevaram Rajambal and M.S.Sabthanalakshmi.
Mythologicals, folklores, pseudo historicals and photographed stage plays were the themes of Tamil cinema in the thirties. Films had as many as 30 songs. Musicians like Dandapani Designer, G.N.Balasubramanian, Musiri, M.S.Subhalakshmi and others were cast in the Tamil movies of thirties for the sake of music. A.Narayanan's 1934 film Srinivasa Kalyanam was the first Tamil talkie to be produced in a South Indian studio. In 1935, South India Film Corporation made Kausalya, the first Tamil film on a contemporary theme. The first female producer and director of Tamil cinema was T.P Rajalakshmi and the film was Miss Kamala in 1936. Chinthamani(1937) was the first Tamil film to run for more than a year in a single cinema house.
Other notable Tamil films of the thirties were A.Narayanan's Rajambal, Meerabai and Thenali Raman, Raja Sandow's Peyum Pennum, Bhaktavatsala, Chadrakantha and Thiruneelakantar, K.Subraminiam's Pavalakkodi, Balayogini, Seva Sadan and Thyagabhoomi and R.Prakash's Lanka Dahanam and Anaadhai Penn
Stardom in Tamil films had its birth in the thirties itself. The first superstar(female) of Tamil cinema was K.B.Sundarambal. She received Rs.1 Lakh as salary for playing the lead role in the movie Nandanar which was produced by Asandas Classical Talkies.
The Fourties
Second world and the independance struggle had its impacts on Tamil films of the 'furious fourties'. Foremost among the directors of fourties were S.S.Vasan, A.V.Meiyappan, L.V.Prasad and T.R.Sundaram.
chandralekha still
Chandralekha still
S.S.Vasan's Chandralekha in 1948 was a landmark film in the history of Tamil cinema. Chandralekha was produced on a lavish budget and is among the most expensive tamil films of all time. Chandralekha was distributed by Gemini Studios, which was founded by Vasan in 1940. Later the film was re-released in Hindi and it became the first All-India hit movie. T.R Rajakumari, M.K.Radha, Ranjan and N.S.Krishnan were the leading artists of Chandralekha.
A.V.Meiyappan's 1947 film Nam Iruvar was another important movie of the decade. Nam Iruvar was the first production venture of AVM Productions which was established in 1945. AVM Productions is the largest and oldest production studio currently active in Tamil film industry.
Popular stars of the decade were M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, P.U.Chinnappa, T.R.Mahalingam, M.K.Radha, Ranjan, K.R.Ramaswamy, T.R.Rajakumari and Rukmini. M.K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar(MKT) was the most popular among them and is widely regarded as the first superstar of Tamil cinema. MKT's film Haridas in 1944 created history by becoming the first Indian film to run continuously for three years at a single theatre. Haridas was directed by Sunder Rao Nadkarni who was Marathi film director.Other box office hits of MKT include Ambikapathi, Ashok Kumar and Sivakavi.
The late fourties witnessed the excellent exploitation of Tamil cinema for achieving certain political aims. C.N.Annadurai, who later went on to become the chief minister of Tamilnadu was the leader of this rare phenomenon in the history of world cinema. Annadurai wrote the script for Velaikkari(1949), directed by A.S.A.Swamy. Velaikkari had a cast consisting of T.S.Balaiah, M.N.Nambiar, K.R.Ramaswamy, M.V.Rajamma and Balasubramaniam D. Velaikkari was a huge success and it set a new trend in Tamil cinema.
M.Karunanidhi, Annadurai's trusted assistant followed his path and wrote screen plays for several films. Karunanidhi also rose to the level of Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. Some of his films as a script writer were Rajakumari, Parasakthi, Malaikallan and Pudhumai Pithan.
The Fifties and The Sixties
By the early fifties three actors rose to fame in Tamil film industry and they ruled the film world in the fifties, sixties and seventies. They were M.G.Ramachandran(M.G.R), Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan.
M.G.Ramachandran made his debut in Ellis R Dungan's 1935 film Sati Leelavati. His breakthrough role was in the 1947 film Rajakumaari, which was written by M.Karunanidhi. He attained superstardom after his 1954 movie Malaikallan. He played the hero in a number of blockbusters including Alibabavum Narpadhu Thirudargalum(first full length color film in Tamil,released in 1955), Madhurai Veeran, Pudhumai Pithan, Nadodi Mannan, Thaayai Kaatha Thanayan, Dheiva Thaai, En Kadamai, Aayirathil Oruvan, Enga Veettu Pillai, Anbe Vaa, Nadodi, Chandhrodhayam, Ragasiya Police 115, Pudhiya Bhoomi, Adimai Penn, Engal Thangam, Rickshawkaran(won him National Film Award for Best Actor in 1971), Raaman Thediya Seedhai, Ulagam Sutrum Valiban and Idhayakkani. M.G.R is considered the numero uno in the history of Tamil cinema and was fondly called Puratchi Thalaivar. He became the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu in 1977 and continued in the position till his death in 1987.
Sivaji Ganesan was one of the first and finest method actors in Indian cinema. His highly expressive eyes, mobile face and fine voice made him a moving force in Tamil cinema. He was fondly called as Nadigar Thilakam. Sivaji Ganesan entered film world through the 1952 film Parasakthi which was written by M.Karunanidhi. Parasakthi is among the clasics of Tamil cinema and helped Sivaji Ganesan rise to instant stardom. He rendered fine performances in movies like Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Paasamalar, Kappalottiya Thamizhan, Vietnam Veedu, Vasantha Maligai, Pattikkada Pattanama, Thangapathakam and Thirisoolam. In the 1964 film Navarathri, Sivaji Ganesan essayed nine different roles each representing a different emotional state of a man.
Gemini Ganesan, nicknamed Kadhal Mannan got his first break with Miss Malini. Then he played Lord Krishna in Chakravarthi. The actor in him was noticed with the 1953 film Thai Ullam in which he played the villain. Next year he was casted as the hero in Manampol Mangalyam opposite his future wife Savithri. Some of his best works include Missi Amma, Pennin Perumai, Miss Mary, Maya Bazar, School Master, Parthiban Kanavu, Kalathur Kannamma, Kalyana Parisu, Konjum Salangai, Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam, Vanjikottai Valiban, Then Nilavu, Meenda Sorgam, Santhi Nilayam, Vaazhkai Padagu, Katpaham, Ramu, Thamarai Nenjam and Punnagai and Naan Avan Illai. His talents were not properly exploited and was mostly confined to boy meets girl romantic films.
MGR in Nadodi Mannan
MGR in
Nadodi Mannan
Sivaji Ganesan in Parasakthi
Sivaji Ganesan in
Parasakthi
Gemini Ganesan with Vyjayanthimala
Gemini Ganesan with
Vyjayanthimala
Other popular actors in the fifties and sixties include Sivakumar, Muthumaran, Vijayakumar, Jaishankar, Balaji, Nagesh, M.N.Nambiar, P.S.Veerappa, Asokan, R.S.Manohar and Major Sundera Rajan. Leading actresses of this period were Anjali Devi, Savithri, P.Bhanumathi, Pushpalatha, Padmini, Sowkar Janaki, B.Saroja Devi, K.R.Vijaya, Vanisree, Kanchana and Jayalalitha. Prominent directors of this period include Sreedhar, Krishnan Panju, A.Bhim Singh, P.Madhavan, P.Neelakantan, A.P.Nagarajan, A.C.Trilokchander, C.V.Rajendran and K.S.Gopalakrishnan.
By the late sixties Tamil cinema witnessed the emergence of a prolific director and screenwriter, K.Balachander. He discarded the traditional nature of film making and made movies with bold themes. His films dealt with unusual and complicated relationships and social themes. Over the decades, he made many stupendous movies like Ethir Neechal, Arangetram, Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Naan Avan Illai, Apoorva Raagangal, Avargal, Moondru Mudichu, Varumayin Niram Sivappu, Thaneer Thaneer, Achamillai Achamillai, Sindhu Bhairavi, Manathil Uruthi Vendum and Unnal Mudiyum Thambi. He introduced and gave breaks to many artists including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vivek and Prakash Raj.
The Seventies
By the late seventies three more directors belonging to the naturalistic genre entered Tamil filmdom. They were K.Bharathiraja, Balu Mahendra and K.Bhagyaraj.
Bharathiraja's films had unglamourous heroes, as-is-spoken dialogues and true-to-life costumes. His first directoral venture was 16 Vayathinile in 1977. Bharathiraja himself wrote the script for 16 Vayathinile which had Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth and Sridevi in lead roles. His forte was village themes which he proved through films like Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Alaigal Oivadhillai, Mann Vasanai and Muthal Mariyathai.His other successful movies like Sigappu Rojakkal, Tik Tik Tik, Vedham Pudhithu, Kizhakku Seemayile and Karuththamma proved his ability to handle films with different themes.
Balu Mahendra's films were remarkable for their visual appeal, brilliant characters and complex emotions. The first Tamil film he directed was Azhiyadha Kolangal in 1979 which had Kamal Haasan as the protagonist. His other movies include Moodupani, Moondram Pirai, Rettai Vaal Kuruvi, Veedu, Sandhya Raagam, Marupadiyum and Sathi Leelavathi.
K.Bhagyaraj's films were laced with earthy humour and the characters were honest and straight forward. He scripted, directed and acted as the protagonist in a number of movies. He made his entry into direction with the 1979 movie Suvar Ellatha Chitrangal. His notable movies include Vidiyum Vari Kaathiru, Mouna Geethanagal, Indru Poyi Naalai Vaa, Antha Ezhu Natkal, Thooral Ninnu Pochhu, Munthanai Mudichu and Chinna Veedu.
Late Seventies and The Eighties
The mid-late seventies and early eighties saw the emergence of Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth as the superstars of Tamil cinema.
Kamal Haasan performed as a child artist in early sixties and did supporting roles in the early seventies. He got his first break in Tamil cinema with K.Balachander's 1975 movie Apoorva Raagangal, which was also Rajinikanth's debut movie. He worked with K.Balachander in a number of movies including Moondru Mudichu, Avargal, Manmadha Leelai, Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu and Varumayin Niram Sivappu. Over the years Kamal Haasan has done a variety of roles in films like Raaja Paarvai, Vazhve Mayam, Sakala Kala Vallavan, Moondram Pirai, Nayakan, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Apoorva Sahodarargal, Michael Madana Kamarajan, Thevar Magan, Guna, Sathi Leelavathi, Avvai Shanmugi, Indian, Hey Ram, Virumandi, Vasoolraja M.B.B.S, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu and Dasavatharam.
Nayagan still
avvai shanmugi still
vasool raja mbbs still
Vettayadu Vilayadu still
dasavatharam still
Kamal Haasan in Nayagan, Avvai Shanmugi, Vasoolraja M.B.B.S, Vettaiyadu Vilayaadyu and Dasavatharam
Rajinikanth made his debut in Tamil films as a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal(1975). In the mid seventies he played supporting and villaneous roles in films usually with Kamal Haasan as the hero. In S.P.Muthuraman's Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977), he played a villain in first half and the protagonist in the second half. Mullum Malarum (1978) directed by J.Mahendran established Rajinikanth as a hero. Rajinikanth started the eighties with a bang with the release of Billa. Billa was a remake of the the bollywood movie Don. Rajinikanth consolidated his stardom in the eighties with hits like Murattu Kaalai, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla, Moondru Mugam, Netrikan, Padikkathavan, Thee, Velaikaran, Dharmathin Thalaivan, Mr. Bharath, Maaveeran and Sri Raghavendra. Rajani continued his good run in the nineties with super hits like Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Uzhaippali, Veera, Baasha, Muthu, Arunachalam and Padayappa. His recent movies Chandramukhi and Sivaji:The Boss were also stupendous hits.
Billa still
Velaikaran still
Thalapathy still
Padayappa still
Sivaji:The Boss still
Rajinikanth in Billa, Velaikaran, Thalapathy, Padayappa and Sivaji:The Boss
More actors entered the Tamil film industry in the eighties. Prominent among them were Vijayakanth, Prabhu Ganesan, Mohan, Sathyaraj, Karthik, Sarat Kumar, Arjun and Murali. Popular heroines were Khushboo, Radha, Ambika, Gouthami, Saranya and Rupini.
The eighties and early nineties witnessed the emergence and excellence of some talented directors like Mani Ratnam, S.A.Chandrasekhar, Manivannan, T.Rajender, Vikraman, R.K.Selvamani, Santhana Bharathi, K.S.Ravikumar and S.Shankar. Mani Ratnam and S.Shankar stand out among the others. Mani Ratnam had scripted and directed critically and commercially successful films like Mouna Raagam, Nayagan, Agni Natchathiram, Anjali, Thalapathi, Roja, Bombay, Iruvar, Alaipayuthey and Kannathil Muthamittal. S.Shankar is known for his excellent treatment of commercial cinema and has won accolades for his films like Gentleman, Kadhalan, Indian, Jeans, Mudhalvan, Boys, Anniyan and Sivaji:The Boss.
The Nineties - Present
In the nineties actors like Aravind Swamy, Vijay, Ajith, Prasanth and Prabhu Deva entered Tamil filmdom. Heroines like Nagma, Rambha, Soundarya, Madhoo, Meena, Devayani, Roja and Simran gained popularity during this period. Directors like Sundar C, Rajeev Menon, S.J.Sooryah, S.Ezhil, Selva and Cheran entered Tamil film industry during the nineties.
Vijay and Ajith Kumar rose to fame in the late nineties and became the new sensations of Kollywood. By the early 2000's R.Madhavan, Vikram and Surya Sivakumar also attained stardom. Jyothika and Laila gained popularity as heroines in the early 2000's.
Tamil cinema has produced some of the most talented music directors in India. Foremost among them(currently active) are Ilayaraja and A.R.Rahman. Notable among the other music directors of Tamil film industry include Harris Jayaraj, Deva, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Devi Sri Prasad, Vidyasagar and Srikanth Deva.
At present, superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan dominate the Tamil filmdom. Behind them Vijay, Ajith, Vikram, Surya and Madhvan also rake in the moolah. Younger stars like Jayam Ravi, Dhanush, Silambarasan, Vishal, Arya, Jeeva, Bharath, Jai and Karthi Sivakumar have done good business at the box office in the recent past. Versatile actors Prakash Raj and Pasupathy and comedians Vadivelu and Vivek are other prominent actors. Leading heroines of kollywood are Asin Thottumkal, Nayantara, Trisha Krishnan, Shriya Saran, Tamanna Bhatia, Sandhya, Reema Sen, Sadha, Sneha, Bhumika Chawla and Namitha. Prominent among the directors at present are Mani Ratnam, S.Shankar, P.Vasu, K.S.Ravikumar, Gautham Menon, Bala, Linguswamy, Vishnuvardhan, Cheran, Hari, Saran, M. Raja, Susi Ganesan, Myshkin, A. R. Murugadoss, Selva, Perarasu, Prabhu Deva, Balaji Sakthivel, Ameer and Boopathy Pandian.
