(Jan 11,2002/SCREEN紙より)

2001年には155本の映画が公開された。しかしタミル語オリジナルのものは75本のみで、他は吹替え映画である。この中でSilver Jubilee(25週のロングラン)を飾ったものはカマル・ハッサンの『Thenali』と、ヴィジャイの『Friends』のみで、あとはアジットの『Dheena』が125日ロングラン。これからも映画界の不況が見て取れる。
2000年には９本の映画だけが100日ロングランを達成したが、2001年は15本に増えた。ヴィジャイカーントの『Vanchinathan』 『Narsimha』、カールテックの『Ullam Kollu Poguthe』、ヴィジャイの『Badri』、マダヴァンの『Dum Dum Dum』、他には『Sonantha Kathala』 (T Rajinder)、『Anandam』 (Mammootty)、『Citizen』 『Poov Ellam Unn Vasam』(アジットクマール)、『Dhill』（ヴィクラム）、『Chocklet』 (プラシャント)、『Samudaram』 （サラトクマール）が公式に100日上映を達成した映画である。しかし、この中の多くの映画は、プロデューサー達が「スターの価値と広告効果」を高めるために映画館で上映を続けたものであることも、否定できない事実である。

女優で主演作品が一番多かったのはロジャーで9本。同時に2001年には彼女の100本目の映画が公開された。ロジャーは今、カマル・ハッサンの映画におけるヒロインの描き方を批判する発言をしてニュースを賑わせている。
次に出演数が多かったのかデヴァヤニの6本。そしてジョティカの5本、その内2本はヒット作品。2000年のトップであったシムランはわずか2本にリリースで、いずれもヒットせず。ライラは4本出演して2本がヒット。ミーナは3本の出演があるが、主演はそのうち1本だけで、残りは脇役と、音楽シーンのみの登場。ランバーは2本の映画があるが、いずれもフロップ。セクシー・アイドル、ムムタズは6本の映画に登場して存在感を示した。

監督では Ramanarayananと Sundar Cは、それぞれ3本監督した。 Sundar Cは 『Ullam Kollu Poguthe』がヒットした。 K Balchanderは、その１００本目の映画を公開した。主演はマダヴァンとシムラン。

新人の中では、『12B』でデヴューを飾ったShamが一番有望株だろう。彼はこのデビュー作で、大学生の間などで沢山のファンを獲得し、マダヴァンの有力なライヴァルとみなされているようだ。そのマダヴァンの方はBalchander監督作品は散々な結果に終わったが、『Minnale』ではその人気を確かなものにしている。
ヒロインの方は、『Minnale』リーマ・セン、 Gaytri Jayram （「 Manathe Thirudi Vittai」）、 アンジェラ・ジャベリ （「Ullam Kollu Poguthe」）、 Bhoomika （「Badri」）、Richa Pallot （「Shahjahan」）、スネハ（「Anandam」）などが注目される。『Majnu』 でデヴューのリンキー・カンナは生彩を欠いた。
SCREEN

Looking back at 2001 - Tamil film industry

It was a tumultuous year for the Tamil film industry. The greatest shock of the year was the death of thespian Sivaji Ganesan. That left not only his family, but also the entire industry and his fans bereft. The industry making a futile attempt to revamp itself, by passing strictures on artistes and technicians who broke the ban of giving clippings and interviews to private channels. Given below are some of the statistics and highlights of 2001.

Films:

As against the 164 films released in 2000, this year showed an increase in numbers - 187 films. But again it was the dubbed films that made the difference. There were 83 straight films to the 104 dubbed ones. Only two films were silver jubilees ' 'Friends' and 'Anandam'. While thirteen films celebrated their 100 days run. - Dumm Dumm Dumm・ Chocolet・ Minnale・ Vanchinathan・Bhadri・ Dhil・ Deena・ Poovellam unn Vasam・ Citizen・ Thenali・ Vanavil・ Priyamanavale・ and Puratchikkaran・

Awards and Accolades:

Tamil films got a major share of the National Awards. The Media Dreams - Gnyana Rajasekharan film 'Bharati' won three awards - Best artwork and costumes, and best female playback singer (Pavatharani). Best child artiste to Udayraj (Nilakkalam); Best Screenplay (Bharatiraja); Best popular film to Vikraman's 'Vanathaippol'; Best movie with a social purpose to the Cheran - directed 'Vettrikkodikattu'. P.Bhanumathy was awarded Padmabhushan; and SPB, Thottatharani and Mohanlal got Padmashri.

Biggest Disappointments:

Director K. Balachander's 100th film 'Parthale Paravasam' and the much-hyped Kamal Haasan starrer 'Aalavanthan'.

The Stars:

Among the seniors, Vijaykanth played cop in two films, though it was his village - based 'Thavasi' that did better business. Prabhu's films broke even, and made him a favourite with low - budget filmmakers. Murali seemed the favourite in multi - hero subjects, intense in 'Kadal Pookkal', 'Anandam', and 'Samudram', though Mammootty did steal the show in 'Anandam'. Out of his four releases Satyaraj came out well in 'Andan Adimai', though none of the films were box office successes. Arjun's 'Vedham' that he directed and played the lead in, went flat with the audience. Sharat kumar was an also ran with 'Samudram' and 'Dosth'. Rajkiran got a fresh lease of career with 'Pandavar Bhoomi' and 'Nanda'. Kartik, Prabhu Deva and Ramarajan had their unexciting releases.

Among the younger crop of heroes, Aith went in for a revamp of image with his nine get - ups in 'Citizen', and the toughie role in 'Dheena'. For Vijay, after two hits in 'Friends' and 'Bhadri', it was cropper with 'Shahjahan'. Prashant had two unsuccessful films 'Star' and 'Piriyada Varam Vendum', a hit in 'Chocolet' and an average run in 'Majnu'. Vikram went through the successful 'Dhil', a lukewarm 'Vinnukkum Mannukkum', but went overboard with his performance as the blind singer in 'Kasi', a major disappointment. Madhavan balanced his successful 'Minnale' with a dismal performance in 'Parthale Paravasam'. Surya bounced back with 'Nandha'. Arun Kumar got a fresh lease of career with the Cheran directed 'Pandavar Bhoomi'.

Among the heroines, Jyotika maintained her status quo, Simran was steady, and Laila was the fast rising one, signing films with top actors and filmmakers. Sneha, whatever the fate of her film, was noticed. Vasundhara Das had a 'Citizen', but it was more of playback singing and stage shows that the singer - actress appeared in. Devayani lost some films (like Pammal K.Sambandham) and got some films post - marriage. Roja celebrated her 100 films・mark with a big function. Abhirami was the favourite of heroes like Prabhu and Sharat Kumar.

Debut:

There were a lot of them - heroines and directors, making debuts. Best of the lot were Bhumika (Badri) and Sham (12B) with their spontaneity. Others include Gayatri Jairam, Shamita, Jaya Ray, Pratyusha, Monal, Reema Sen, Abhinayasri, Bobby, Eashwar, Yungendran and Ashish Vidhyarthy.

Showing promise among the directors were Lingasamy (Anandam), Azhagam Perumal (Dumm Dumm Dumm), Tirupatisamy (Narasimha), Murali Krishna (Parvai Ondre Pothume, R.N.Kumaresan (Love Channel), Saravanan Subbiah (Citizen), Murugadas (Dheena), Janaki Viswanathan (Kutty) and Pugazhendi Thangaraj (Kaattrukkenna Veli).

Wedding Bells:

Devayani set the stage, eloping to marry director Rajakumaran. Following her was dancer Alphonsa, and actress Chippy who eloped to marry Malayalam producer Ranjit. Others who tied the knot were director J. Suresh who married TV artiste Meera; Vichitra, singers, Harini - Tippu; Directors Azhagam Perumal; Actors Vyapuri, Karikalan, Balaji; T.V.artistes Vijay Athiraj, Harita, Lata and Gayatri; Cameraman P.Selvakumar.

Death:

Thespian Sivaji Ganesan's demise has left a void. So also the passing away of actors Jai Ganesh, K.Ummer, Shankaradi; Directors Krishnan Nair, M.A.Kaja, Manivasakam, the young Tirupatisamy (in a car accident); producer V.T.Thiagarajan, N.K.S.Ajesh; editors Devan and V.Rajagopal; music directors K.V.Mahadevan and A.T.Ummer.

With more flops than hits, the various associations of the film industry jointly passed strictures related to clippings and interviews given to private channels. Facing threats of boycott due to this were artistes like Murali, Meena, Prashant, Rambha, Mumtaz and some directors and producers too. The ray of hope for the future was the re-entry of veterans like AVMs and G.V., to film production after a five-year sabbatical.

Busiest artistes and technicians of 2001

Hero Livingston (5 films)

Heroine Roja (9 films)

Character actor Manivannan (17 films)

Character actress Manorama (9 films)

Comedians Vivek (21 films), Kovai Sarala (10 films)

Directors Rama Narayanan & Sunder. C - 3 films each

Music Director Deva - 23 films

Lyricist P.Vijay - 21 songs

Art - Director G.K. - 8 films

Dance Director Shivashanker - 12 films

Editor Lenin - Vijayan - 10 films

Statistics Courtesy - Film news Anandan

CHENNAIONLINE

It is always tempting to use phrases like 'at the crossroads' when you are writing a year-end review. But it would be impossible to do so for Kollywood 2001, as the Tamil film industry never seem to go anywhere.

The year 2001 would go down in history as the one that almost unmade the industry. For a State where films and the entertainment industry hold much sway among the masses, there was little to cheer about. There was all-round uncertainty. Production costs mounted, films flopped, VCD piracy threat mounted, small screen grew to be a monster, directors and producers fought and at the end of it all it seemed a miracle that films were still made at Kollywood.

By a rough estimate, at least around Rs.200 crore was sunk into various films, and the overall return was no way commensurate to that. The year's biggest flop Aalavandan was a typical case in point. Hyped as a technically slick production that could give any Hollywood blockbuster a run for its money, this Aalavandan did not rule anything. Made at a cost of Rs.20 crore, it was debatable whether the film would have regained the cost of its much-written graphic scenes. In the end, all the big talk by Kamal and his efforts to hard sell the movie looked pathetic.

Another film that was all hype was Citizen. Typically, it had Ajith trying to do a Kamal in both make-up and roles (nine in all). The film had everything except a story to tell. Ajith, in fact, was one of the stars who had a miserable year. His starrers Dheena, Poovellam Un Vasam did not do all that well. By the end of the year, there were reports that even his much publicized marriage with actress Shalini was not doing all that well.

For the other chocolate-box hero, Prashanth there were films left, right and centre. But none of them had a decent run. To compound his woes, another film of his that was completed, Virumbukiren, was not released due to problems with the producer.

Vijay had two hits in Friends and Badri. But Shajahan was a failure, leaving him on a sticky wicket. For Madhavan, the year started promisingly with Minnale and Dum, Dum, Dum. But by the time the year ended his Parthale Pravasam and his Hindi venture (Rehna Hai Tere Dil Me) had bit the dust.

Sarath Kumar, Murali, Vijaykanth, Karthik, Prabhu, Sathyaraj, Prabhu Deva all were reduced to mere footnotes. Newcomers like Sham are promising, but it is too early to write for or against them.

Among the Tamil heroes, the winner was Vikram. His Dil was the blockbuster of the year. His latest release Kasi is also said to be a hit. Anyway, the enthusiastic Vikram has shown that with grit and gumption you can make things happen. By the end of the year, Surya looked to have come off age with Nanda. Mammooty's Anandam was another top grosser of the year.

It is a sad reflection of the state of affairs that comedians Vivek and Vadiuvelu were the most successful artistes in Tamil.

About the heroines, the less said the better. Jyothika was the undisputed number one. But for how long? Simran, despite getting prestigious assignments, was in the news for all the wrong reasons. Laila had a decent run. But others like Rambha, Roja, Meena were no where in the picture.

Devayani created the sensation of the year by eloping and marrying director Rajakumaran. A few other actresses like Vichitra and Babylona (another elopement) settled for matrimony.

On the directorial front, Balachander's 100th venture got a thumb down. But Bharathi Raja's case was even worse as nobody was sure whether his Kadal Pookal was released or not. Manirathnam did not have a release, but Ram Narayan had several but people did not take notice of both.

On the music front, music directors seemed to emerge from all places. While A R Rehamn was hardly seen or heard, his one-time assistant Harris Jeyaraj emerged with song of the year, Vasigara, while Deva's Mala, Mala was perhaps the most popular tune of the year.

As the year wore on, the internecine fight between films and TV looked to be heading for a major showdown. By 2002, things would have been hopefully settled, one way or the other. But the fight had its repercussions within the film industry itself with several directors and actors at each other's throat.

The only time the entire industry looked together was when the doyen Sivaji Ganesan passed away. It was of course the saddest event of the year. But that was when the industry was really a unit.

That is saying a lot.

(source: India Syndicate)

http://server1.msn.co.in/balcony/tamilcinema/articles/kw-2001.asp