Karthik Subburaj, Balaji Tharanitharan, Ranjith, S R Prabhakaran, Sathya Siva, Balaji Mohan and Jeeva Shankar.The year 2012 can be termed as a trend-setting year in Kollywood, for no year in the recent past introduced these many successful first-time filmmakers.
These young talents not only made impressionable debuts, but they also challenged the age-old formulas of Tamil cinema in terms of content.
While Karthik Subburaj hogged the limelight with Pizza, an edge of the seat thriller with just a handful of characters, Balaji Tharanitharan's Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kaanom dealt with the travails of an amnesia patient in a humorous way.
Ranjith's Attakathi threw light on life in the suburbs of Chennai, while S R Prabhakaran's directorial debut, Sundarapandian, spoke about the caste system in southern Tamil Nadu. Other major films included Sathya Siva's Kazhugu, that revolved around a set of people who lift dead bodies of those who commit suicide from Kodaikanal Hills, Balaji Mohan's Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi (KSY) is about the changing face of city love, and Jeeva Shankar in Naan presented a thriller with a human angle.
"These directors broke the clichés of Kollywood, and proved that the audiences are ready to welcome novel content. This has paved way for many such original attempts, as a string of films to be directed by newcomers have hit the floors in the recent weeks," says Varada Praveen, an aspiring cinematographer.
He adds, "These days, a person who wants to become a director or cinematographer doesn't necessarily have to assist a veteran for years to get an independent offer. Rather, they can impress producers with short films by uploading them on video-sharing websites like YouTube."
Echoing similar sentiments, Balaji Mohan, says, "I got the offer to direct KSY only after the producers (actor Siddharth and Sashikanth) had watched a short film that I had uploaded on the Internet. That short film was later developed into a full-fledged script, and made into a feature film KSY."
Speaking about the reason why producers are drawn to these young talents, C V Kumar, the producer of Attakathi and Pizza, says, "I was quite taken in by Ranjith and Karthi Subburaj's narration. The moment I listened to their scripts, I came to the conclusion that if these stories are made into movies, they would definitely strike a chord with the audience. My guess came true with the success of both these films."
Actor Siddharth, who ventured into production with KSY, says, "It was Balaji Mohan's short film on YouTube, which prompted me to turn a producer. And the success of KSY has given me strength and courage to produce more such novel attempts."
Interestingly, actor Vijay Sethupathi was part of three hit movies (Pizza, Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kaanom and Sundarapandian) directed by newcomers last year. He says, "I attribute my success to new filmmakers. They are ready to take risks and are willing to move way from regular stuff. I am happy that I was part of three films directed by talented newcomers last year."
In another related development in the industry, some popular directors have become producers and are ready to support promising fresh talents. Filmmakers such as Shankar, Lingusamy and A R Murugadoss are on this list.
After producing Engeyum Eppodhum, directed by debutant Saravanan, Murugadoss is now producing Vaththikuchi and Raja Rani, both being helmed by newcomers. The Ghajini and Thupakki director says, "I shouldn't forget that I too was once a newcomer. I don't want aspiring directors to run from pillar to post for offers. My ARM Productions will always encourage fresh talent."
So, with the industry ready to back these new faces, one can expect more and more young directors to make an impression in the coming days. A promising start to 2013 indeed.
These young talents not only made impressionable debuts, but they also challenged the age-old formulas of Tamil cinema in terms of content.
While Karthik Subburaj hogged the limelight with Pizza, an edge of the seat thriller with just a handful of characters, Balaji Tharanitharan's Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kaanom dealt with the travails of an amnesia patient in a humorous way.
Ranjith's Attakathi threw light on life in the suburbs of Chennai, while S R Prabhakaran's directorial debut, Sundarapandian, spoke about the caste system in southern Tamil Nadu. Other major films included Sathya Siva's Kazhugu, that revolved around a set of people who lift dead bodies of those who commit suicide from Kodaikanal Hills, Balaji Mohan's Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi (KSY) is about the changing face of city love, and Jeeva Shankar in Naan presented a thriller with a human angle.
"These directors broke the clichés of Kollywood, and proved that the audiences are ready to welcome novel content. This has paved way for many such original attempts, as a string of films to be directed by newcomers have hit the floors in the recent weeks," says Varada Praveen, an aspiring cinematographer.
He adds, "These days, a person who wants to become a director or cinematographer doesn't necessarily have to assist a veteran for years to get an independent offer. Rather, they can impress producers with short films by uploading them on video-sharing websites like YouTube."
Echoing similar sentiments, Balaji Mohan, says, "I got the offer to direct KSY only after the producers (actor Siddharth and Sashikanth) had watched a short film that I had uploaded on the Internet. That short film was later developed into a full-fledged script, and made into a feature film KSY."
Speaking about the reason why producers are drawn to these young talents, C V Kumar, the producer of Attakathi and Pizza, says, "I was quite taken in by Ranjith and Karthi Subburaj's narration. The moment I listened to their scripts, I came to the conclusion that if these stories are made into movies, they would definitely strike a chord with the audience. My guess came true with the success of both these films."
Actor Siddharth, who ventured into production with KSY, says, "It was Balaji Mohan's short film on YouTube, which prompted me to turn a producer. And the success of KSY has given me strength and courage to produce more such novel attempts."
Interestingly, actor Vijay Sethupathi was part of three hit movies (Pizza, Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kaanom and Sundarapandian) directed by newcomers last year. He says, "I attribute my success to new filmmakers. They are ready to take risks and are willing to move way from regular stuff. I am happy that I was part of three films directed by talented newcomers last year."
In another related development in the industry, some popular directors have become producers and are ready to support promising fresh talents. Filmmakers such as Shankar, Lingusamy and A R Murugadoss are on this list.
After producing Engeyum Eppodhum, directed by debutant Saravanan, Murugadoss is now producing Vaththikuchi and Raja Rani, both being helmed by newcomers. The Ghajini and Thupakki director says, "I shouldn't forget that I too was once a newcomer. I don't want aspiring directors to run from pillar to post for offers. My ARM Productions will always encourage fresh talent."
So, with the industry ready to back these new faces, one can expect more and more young directors to make an impression in the coming days. A promising start to 2013 indeed.