In 2014, Tamil film industry saw different genres of films hitting the screens and performing well at the box office. Some of the biggies like Vijay's "Kaththi," Ajith's "Veeram" and Dhanush's "Velai Illa Pattathari" turned out to be hits.
Now, fans are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming releases in 2015. This year, Tamil film industry has an interesting line-up of films and it remains to be seen how each of them fare at the box office.
From Ajith's "Yennai Arindhaal" to Vijay's "Puli," check out the top 10 most-awaited Tamil films of 2015.
'Yennai Arindhaal'
"Yennai Arindhaal" is a musical action-thriller with Ajith playing the role of a police officer. The Gautham Menon directorial has an interesting star cast including Trisha, Anushka Shetty, Arun Vijay and Vivek.
The film is carrying huge expectations as it marks the first-time collaboration of Ajith with director Gautham Menon. The action thriller has music by Harris Jayaraj and cinematography is handled by Dan MacArthur.
"Yennai Arindhaal" first-look posters, teaser and the trailer have generated huge buzz surrounding the project. The film's shooting is reportedly wrapped up and the post-production work is going on in full swing.
The Ajith-starrer was initially slated to hit the screens for Pongal 2015, but its release has been pushed to 29 January.
'I'
Vikram-Amy Jackson's "I" is likely to hit the screens on 14 January at the worldwide box office. The film, deemed as a romantic thriller, is directed by Shankar.
Vikram will be seen sporting different looks in the film, while Suresh Gopi and Upen Patel are also part of the cast. The film's music is composed by AR Rahman and cinematography is handled by PC Sreeram.
Expectations are sky high for "I" as Shankar has helmed the project. The director has teamed up with Vikram for the second time post the success of their 2006-release "Anniyan." The film's teaser and the trailer have created a huge positive pre-release buzz and it is likely to take big openings at the box office.
'Masss'
Suriya's "Masss," directed by Venkat Prabhu, is touted as a supernatural thriller flick. Suriya will reportedly be sporting two different looks in the film. Nayanthara has teamed up with Suriya for the second time after "Aadhavan." Pranitha, Premgi Amaren, Jayaram, Parthiepan and Samuthirakani are also part of the film's cast.
Its music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and cinematography is done by RD Rajasekhar.
The first-look of Suriya was released for Diwali and it received good response from the fans. Recently, the film's director stated that he will be giving an update on "Masss" during Pongal festival period. There is a buzz that the film's teaser will release on Pongal, though an official confirmation is still awaited.
The talkie portions of the film are completed, with only songs and action sequences left to be shot. The film's shooting is expected to be wrapped up by the end of February and it might release as a Tamil New Year treat in April 2015.
'Uttama Villain', 'Papanasam' and 'Vishwaroopam 2'
Kamal Haasan is all set to entertain his fans with three releases this year. The actor will be seen doing different roles in each of these films that belong to different genres.
"Uttama Villain" is a comedy drama with Kamal playing dual roles - as a 6th century drama artist and as a 21st century superstar. Meanwhile, "Papanasam" is a family thriller with Kamal playing the role of a father to two children. It is a remake of blockbuster Malayalam film "Drishyam." On the ohter hand, "Vishwaroopam 2" is a spy thriller flick and is a sequel to 2013-hit film "Vishwaroopam."
The shooting of all three films have been completely wrapped up and they are in the post-production stage. It is not clear as to which of these films will hit theatres first, though there is a buzz that "Uttama Villain" might be the first film to get released.
Puli (Vijay 58)
Post the success of "Kaththi," Vijay fans are eagerly looking forward to his next film titled as "Puli." The actor has teamed up with director Chimbudevan for an action-fantasy entertainer.
Veteran actress Sridevi, Kannada star Sudeep, Hansika Motwani and Shruti Haasan are also part of the film's cast. The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad and editing is done by Natarajan Subramaniam.
Vijay will reportedly be doing a dual role in "Puli" and buzz is that the actor will be playing a commander and a dwarf, but there is no official confirmation in this regard. Sridevi plays a queen and Hansika Motwani appears as a princess, whereas Sudeep will also be reportedly seen in the role of a commander.
"Puli" shooting is progressing well and the film is expected to hit the screens for Diwali 2015.
Thala 56
Ajith is all set to team up with director Siruthai Siva for "Thala 56." The actor-director duo was successful in entertaining the audience with their mass masala film "Veeram" last year. Their new project is also expected to be a complete entertainer set in an urban backdrop.
Details about the film, its cast and crew have not yet been officially revealed. The shooting of the film is expected to commence after "Yennai Arindhaal" hits the screens.
Speculations are rife that the Ajith-starrer might head for a clash with Vijay's upcoming film during the Diwali festival period. However, there is no official confirmation in this regard.
'Anegan'
Dhanush fans are looking forward to the release of "Anegan" in which the actor will be sporting different looks. The film, deemed as a romantic entertainer, will have newcomer Amyra Dastur playing the female lead. Actor Karthik will also be seen in a pivotal in the film.
The KV Anand directorial is expected to hit the screens in February.
'10 Endrathukulla'
Post the release of "I," Vikram will be seen in director Vijay Milton's "10 Endrathukulla." It is deemed as a road thriller involving a lot of action sequences. Samantha is reportedly playing dual roles in the film, while Jackie Shroff, Pasupathi and Manobala are also part of the cast.
Besides these afore-mentioned films, there a few other interesting line-up of projects including Sivakarthikeyan's "Kaaki Sattai" and "Rajini Murugan," Karthi's "Komban," Vishal's "Aambala," Dhanush's "Maari" and Maniratnam's "Okay Kanmani" among others.