While the clock is ticking towards 2012, let us look back at the Shining Stars of 2011 in the Tamil Film Industry. FridayMoviez highlights the top 10 celebrities who made it big this year.
1) DHANUSH - "Why this kolaveri, kolaveri, kolaveri di?". Not just Kollywood, but the whole of India is dancing on the tunes of this Tanglish hit by Dhanush! One could say that Dhanush is at the top of the list only because of his superhit new song 'Kolaveri Di'. Though not entirely right, but it is surely a highlight here. A song which was born as a break time spoof, is a pop culture now. It has been composed for his upcoming film 3, in which he starrs opposite Shruti Haasan. His work in Aadukalam and Mayakkam Enna was appreciated to a larger extent. Let us hope that 3 makes it equally big at the box office as the song did.
2) VIKRAM - He is undoubtedly a Multifaceted Superstar! He touched the hearts of the audience through his performance in Deiva Thirumagal in mid 2011, and at the climax of the year, he flabbergasted his fans with his 17 avatars in Rajapattai. Once again, he has proved to be a surprise-package for the audience. Yet another set of powerpacked performances from Vikram is awaited with his upcoming films Karikalan and Thaandavam.
3) A. R. MURUGADOSS - The Hindi remake of his 2005 box office hit Ghajini was equally a hit in Bollywood, 3 years ago. This year he gave us 7aam Arivu, yet another hit which was appreciated a lot for its directorial value worldwide. Breathtaking as always, 7aam Arivu grossed very well at the box office. He also produced Engeyum Eppodhum, which was one of the commercially successful films of 2011.
4) SURIYA - Not only the director, but the actor of 7aam Arivu was appreciated as well! The Murugadoss-Suriya duo cast their spell again. In the 2005 film Ghajini, Suriya played two different personalities of the same character. This time he has played two different characters belonging to two different eras, both of which were equally challenging. In his next film Maatraan, he will be portraying 5 different roles. And with his recent performance, he has the hopes of his fans set high.
5) AJITH KUMAR - Mankatha was definitely the best film this year, all thanks to Ajith Kumar's impeccable performance. This was his 50th film, produced by Dhayanidhi Alagiri and directed by Venkat Prabhu. Last year he was nominated for the Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for his movie Aasal. Let us hope this year he is awarded for Mankatha.
6) SIMBU - Expectations were high from Osthi, the remake of Bollywood blockbuster hit Dabangg. Though the film did not do well enough at the Tamil box office, Simbu's performance as Osthe Velan, the funny cop, was much appreciated. Nonetheless, his earlier movie Vaanam was a relative commercial success as well. His character - "Cable" Raja - was much appreciated. This coming year he will be seen in Podaa Podi, Vettai Mannan & Vada Chennai. May the year 2012 bring him more success and appreciation for his work!
7) RICHA GANGOPADHYAY - The last year's new face of Telugu films entered the Kollywood this year with Mayakkam Enna, which was a commercial hit of 2011 in itself. As a cherry on the top, Richa was praised for her work in Osthi as well. In a very short span of time, the former beauty queen has made it big not only in Tollywood, but in Kollywood as well! We wish her all the best for her future.
8) JIIVA - This young actor was seen in four films this year - Singam Puli, Ko, Rowthiram and Vandhaan Vendraan. But of all, his performance in Ko was much appreciated. For a topic so sensitive as the Naxalites, he balanced the story very well with his daredevil performance as an energetic photojournalist. Upcoming next are his films Nanban, Neethaane En Ponvasantham and Mugamoodi.
9) KARTHIK SIVAKUMAR - Officially credited as Karthi, his dual performance as IPS Officer Rathnavel Pandian and the pickpocket 'Rocket' Raja in Siruthai was highly appreciated. Next year he will be seen in Saguni, All in All Azhagu Raja and one more project, untitled as yet.
10) PRASHANTH THYAGARAJAN - Last but not the least in the list is Prashanth Thyagarajan. His film Ponnar Shankar was welcomed with positive reviews as much as his dual performance as Ponnar and Shankar was appreciated. Earlier he was seen in a dual role in his 1998 romantic drama film Jeans opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, which was critically acclaimed.
Looking forward to the first helping of Tamil movies of 2012, we have R. Madhavan, Arya, Sameera Reddy, Amala Paul, Vijay, Jiiva, Shrikanth, Ileana D'cruz, Karthi, Pranitha, Dhanush and Shruti Haasan, ready to set the big screen ablaze with their potential performances.