The year 2017 was a transformative period for the Tamil film industry, marked by massive political undertones, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the shattering of box office ceilings. While "Event Cinema" dominated the headlines, the year was also celebrated for its gritty, content-driven thrillers that proved Kollywood's technical prowess.
Here is a descriptive look at the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2017.
1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Tamil Version)
Estimated Gross (Tamil Nadu): ₹150+ Crore
While Baahubali 2 was a pan-Indian behemoth, its performance in Tamil Nadu was historic. Releasing in April 2017, the film provided the answer to the nation’s most famous cliffhanger: "Why Kattappa killed Baahubali?" * Box Office Impact: In Tamil Nadu alone, the film crossed the ₹150 crore mark, a feat previously thought impossible for a dubbed film. It became the first movie to surpass the long-standing record of Rajinikanth's Enthiran in the state.
* Significance: The film’s success was fueled by the heavy involvement of Tamil actors like Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan, making it feel like a local epic. It set a new benchmark for theatrical distribution and ticket pricing in the region.
2. Mersal: The Diwali Hurricane
Estimated Gross: ₹220–260 Crore
Vijay’s Mersal was the most talked-about direct Tamil film of 2017. Directed by Atlee, the film featured Vijay in a triple role as a magician, a doctor, and a rural leader. The story took a sharp aim at the Indian healthcare system and GST, sparking national political debates that only served to increase its ticket sales.
* Performance: Mersal became the highest-grossing film of Vijay’s career at that time. It was the first Tamil film to be released in Japan in a major way and grossed over ₹200 crore worldwide within its first few weeks.
* Key Highlight: A.R. Rahman’s "Aalaporaan Thamizhan" became a cultural anthem, celebrating Tamil identity and contributing significantly to the film's "blockbuster" aura.
3. Vivegam: The International Spy Thriller
Estimated Gross: ₹120–160 Crore
Ajith Kumar’s Vivegam was a high-budget international spy thriller shot extensively in Europe. Marking the third collaboration between Ajith and director Siva, the film was built around the theme of "Never Ever Give Up."
* Box Office Performance: Despite receiving mixed reviews for its logic-defying stunts, the "Thala" factor ensured a massive opening. It became the first Tamil film to gross ₹100 crore globally in the post-GST era.
* Global Reach: The film’s stylish presentation and Ajith's physical transformation drew large crowds in urban centers and the overseas market, particularly in Malaysia and the UAE.
4. Bairavaa: The Pongal Winner
Estimated Gross: ₹110–115 Crore
Vijay began 2017 with Bairavaa, an action-drama tackling corruption in the medical education sector. Released during the Pongal festival, the film benefited from a massive holiday window.
* The Result: While it didn't reach the dizzying heights of Mersal, Bairavaa was a solid commercial success, proving Vijay’s consistency in the ₹100 crore club even with a standard "masala" formula.
5. Singam 3 (Si3): The Universal Cop
Estimated Gross: ₹110 Crore
Suriya returned as the fierce cop Durai Singam for the third installment of the Singam franchise. Directed by Hari, the film was known for its breakneck speed and loud, high-energy action sequences.
* Box Office: The film had a strong run in both Tamil and Telugu (as Yamudu 3). Despite multiple release delays due to the Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu, it managed to cross the ₹100 crore mark worldwide, bolstered by Suriya's massive fan base in the neighboring states.
The Content Kings: Critical and Commercial Successes
While the above films led in raw numbers, 2017 was also the year of the "Small-Big" film—movies with mid-range budgets that reaped massive profits.
| Film | Estimated Gross | Verdict | Why it Succeeded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikram Vedha | ₹60–135 Cr | Blockbuster | The chemistry between Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi and a brilliant neo-noir script. |
| Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru | ₹75–80 Cr | Super Hit | Karthi’s gritty, realistic portrayal of a true police case; hailed for its research. |
| Velaikkaran | ₹55–60 Cr | Hit | Sivakarthikeyan's transition into serious social-message drama under Mohan Raja's direction. |
| Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | ₹40–50 Cr | Hit | Dhanush’s sequel to VIP; performed well in Telugu and North India due to Kajol's presence. |
Summary of 2017
* The Atlee-Vijay Era: The year solidified Atlee as the "go-to" director for large-scale superstar vehicles.
* The Rise of the Antagonist: Much like 2016's Thani Oruvan, 2017's Vikram Vedha proved that audiences were craving morally complex characters over traditional heroes.
* GST Impact: This was the first year the industry grappled with the new tax regime, leading to a temporary theater strike, but the massive success of Mersal and Vivegam proved the market's resilience.
The year 2017 proved that Kollywood could balance the gargantuan "superstar" films with intelligently crafted stories, setting the stage for the experimental "Pan-Indian" wave that would follow in the coming years.
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