2019 was a transformative year for the Tamil film industry, marked by a massive surge in box office numbers and a shifting paradigm in how "stardom" was defined. While 2018 was dominated by the technical grandeur of 2.0, 2019 belonged to the perfect marriage of mass entertainment and grounded storytelling.
The year witnessed the unprecedented "Pongal Clash" between two of the industry's biggest titans, Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar, and concluded with Vijay solidifying his position as the most bankable star in the state. From sports dramas and rural family epics to intense crime thrillers, here is an in-depth exploration of the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2019.
1. Bigil – The Sports-Action Juggernaut
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹285 – ₹305 Crore
Director: Atlee
Starring: Vijay, Nayanthara, Jackie Shroff
Thalapathy Vijay’s Bigil was the undisputed king of the box office in 2019. Releasing during the Deepavali season, the film marked the third collaboration between Vijay and director Atlee. The film was an ambitious blend of a gangster drama and a women’s football sports story.
Box Office Performance
Bigil became the first film for Vijay to breach the ₹300 crore mark globally. It performed exceptionally well not just in Tamil Nadu, but also in Kerala, Karnataka, and the overseas markets (particularly Malaysia and the Gulf). In Tamil Nadu alone, the film grossed over ₹140 crore, making it one of the most successful ventures in the history of the state’s cinema.
Why It Succeeded
* The Dual Role: Vijay’s portrayal of the aged gangster "Rayappan" was highly praised, offering a performance depth that his younger, more commercial roles sometimes lack.
* Women Empowerment Theme: By centering the story on a women's football team, the film appealed strongly to family audiences and female viewers.
* Production Value: Produced by AGS Entertainment on a massive budget of nearly ₹180 crore, the film’s visual scale and A.R. Rahman’s music provided a high-quality theatrical experience.
2. Petta – The Tribute to the "Vintage" Superstar
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹220 – ₹250 Crore
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Starring: Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Released during the 2019 Pongal festival, Petta was a love letter to the Rajinikanth of the 1990s. Director Karthik Subbaraj, a self-proclaimed fan of the actor, crafted a film that brought back the "Superstar" mannerisms, style, and energy that fans had been craving.
Box Office Performance
Despite clashing with Ajith's Viswasam, Petta dominated the urban centers and international markets. It grossed over ₹100 crore in its opening weekend worldwide. The film’s final tally placed it among the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time, particularly excelling in the USA and UAE.
Why It Succeeded
* Nostalgia Factor: The film successfully tapped into the collective nostalgia of the audience, featuring a Rajinikanth who was stylish, witty, and high-energy.
* Ensemble Cast: The film featured a "Dream Cast," including Vijay Sethupathi, Simran, Trisha, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, adding immense weight to the narrative.
* Anirudh’s Music: The soundtrack by Anirudh Ravichander was a viral sensation, with tracks like "Marana Mass" becoming anthems.
3. Viswasam – The Rural Family Phenomenon
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹185 – ₹200 Crore
Director: Siva
Starring: Ajith Kumar, Nayanthara, Jagapathi Babu
Clashing head-to-head with Petta on January 10, 2019, Viswasam proved that rural appeal is the ultimate weapon in Kollywood. While Petta ruled the cities, Viswasam became an unstoppable force in the "B and C" centers (rural and semi-urban areas) of Tamil Nadu.
Box Office Performance
In a rare occurrence, both clash films became blockbusters. However, in the domestic Tamil Nadu market, Viswasam actually outperformed Petta, becoming the highest-grossing film in the state for 2019 until Bigil released later that year. It remains one of Ajith’s most successful films to date, with a lifetime Tamil Nadu gross exceeding ₹125 crore.
Why It Succeeded
* Father-Daughter Sentiment: The emotional core of the film—a father trying to reconnect with his daughter—resonated powerfully with family audiences.
* Ajith’s Screen Presence: "Thala" Ajith’s "salt-and-pepper" look and his transition into a dhoti-clad rural hero were massive hits.
* "Kannana Kanney": D. Imman’s soulful song "Kannana Kanney" became the soul of the film and a chart-topping hit for the entire year.
4. Kanchana 3 – The Horror-Comedy King
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹130 Crore
Director: Raghava Lawrence
Starring: Raghava Lawrence, Oviya, Vedhika
While critics often look down upon the horror-comedy genre, Raghava Lawrence’s Muni franchise (of which Kanchana 3 is a part) continues to be a gold mine for distributors. Released in the summer of 2019, the film defied negative reviews to become a massive commercial success.
Why It Succeeded
The film targeted a specific "mass" audience and kids, who enjoy the loud humor and predictable jumpscares. Its success was a testament to the fact that the "Kanchana" brand is one of the most stable franchises in South Indian cinema.
5. Asuran – The Masterclass in Content and Commerce
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹110 – ₹150 Crore
Director: Vetrimaaran
Starring: Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Teejay Arunasalam
Asuran was perhaps the most significant film of 2019 in terms of cultural impact. Based on the novel Vekkai, it explored the brutal reality of caste-based oppression and land rights.
Box Office Performance
Despite its violent and gritty nature, Asuran became Dhanush’s first film to join the ₹100 crore club. It was a "slow burner" that grew through word-of-mouth, eventually playing for over 100 days in several theaters—a rare feat in the modern era of cinema.
Why It Succeeded
* Raw Power: Vetrimaaran’s uncompromising direction and Dhanush’s National Award-winning performance as "Sivasamy" made it a must-watch.
* Universal Themes: The theme of a father protecting his family against all odds is a universal sentiment that transcended the film’s specific regional setting.
6. Nerkonda Paarvai – Breaking Barriers
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹108 – ₹125 Crore
Director: H. Vinoth
Starring: Ajith Kumar, Shraddha Srinath, Vidya Balan
An official remake of the Hindi film Pink, Nerkonda Paarvai was a bold choice for a superstar like Ajith Kumar. The film addressed the vital theme of female consent and social prejudice.
Box Office Performance
The film was a "Super Hit," grossing over ₹100 crore worldwide. It proved that a star’s "mass" image could be successfully used to deliver a socially relevant and "classy" courtroom drama.
7. Kaithi – The Starless Wonder
Worldwide Gross: Approx. ₹105 – ₹110 Crore
Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
Starring: Karthi, Narain, Arjun Das
Kaithi is the most interesting success story of 2019. It released on the same day as Vijay’s Bigil. Despite having no female lead, no songs, and taking place over a single night, it became a massive blockbuster.
Why It Succeeded
* Pure Action: Director Lokesh Kanagaraj (who later created the "Lokesh Cinematic Universe" or LCU) delivered a taut, high-octane thriller.
* Karthi’s Performance: Karthi’s portrayal of "Dilli," a prisoner out on parole, was grounded and powerful.
* Return on Investment: Given its relatively low budget compared to the other films on this list, Kaithi was one of the most profitable films for its producers.
Summary Table: Top 10 Grossers of 2019
Conclusion
2019 was a year where "Star Power" met "Solid Writing." The success of Asuran and Kaithi alongside Bigil and Petta showed that the Tamil audience was willing to support both high-budget commercial entertainers and content-heavy narratives. It was also the year that established the dominance of the "Big Three" (Vijay, Ajith, and Rajinikanth) while paving the way for the next generation of directors like Lokesh Kanagaraj and Vetrimaaran to take the industry to a global stage.
Would you like me to analyze the career growth of a specific actor from this list, or perhaps provide a similar breakdown for 2020?
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