Although 2025 was a cinematic year characterised by many pockets of excellence, the year was not a momentous one for Tamil cinema. Four of the most anticipated films of 2025 – Rajinikanth’s Coolie, Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, Ajith Kumar’s Vidaa Muyarchi and Suriya’s Retro did record success, but did not shatter records. The fifth film – Idly Kadai – did not even reach success status.
In the case of Rajinikanth’s Coolie, it was a case of Rajinikanth’s screen image being bigger than the story, screenplay or script. Despite the laudable aspects of Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj was unable to shake off the elements that belong only to cheaper commercial films. The result was that the brilliant acting performances and stellar cast could not overshadow the shortcomings in the screenplay.
In the case of Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, audiences finally woke up to the fact that Mani Ratnam is simply not the director he used to be. It did not help matters that the elaborate and intensive pre-release marketing campaign promised a film bigger and better than their last collaboration – the 1987 film, Nayagan. Once again, the film had lofty ideas and boasted magnificent acting performances from the cast, but the screenplay lacked depth and originality that audiences were looking for because of the advertising campaign. Viewed on its own, Thug Life was a very good film, but could not come close to match expectations created by the advertising campaign.
Ajith Kumar’s Vidaa Muyarchi did not deserve much of the criticism thrown at it, as it was an outstanding film with intense acting performances. Director Magizh Thirumeni stepped completely out of his comfort zone for this film, but should have focused more on the pace of the first half. The film deserved to do much better at the box-office, but part of the problem is that Tamil audiences were not ready for this kind of film.
Suriya’s Retro saw him in a very powerful role that was as intense as any of his previous performances, but his efforts were negated by a very weak screenplay and an even weaker script destroyed any chance of success.
Dhanush had three releases in 2025 – Nilavukku Enmel Ennadi Kobam, Kubera and Idly Kadai – and it remains a mystery that only the weakest of these films – Kubera – enjoyed success at the box-office and won critical praise. Nilavukku Enmel Enndai Kobam (NEEK) was totally rejected by audiences and decimated by the critics, while Idly Kadai also failed to impress audiences and critics. The reasons for the failure of these two films remain a mystery.
Vijay’s exit from films
Vijay was to have released his last film – Jana Nayagan – for Deepavali, but there were numerous delays that forced them to postpone to Pongal. That sage has not yet been concluded, but Vijay’s entry into politics and the related delay in the release of Jana Nayagan have further polarised people.
Time for others to shine
Pradeep Ranganathan had back-to-back successes with Dragon and Dude and is clearly heading for a great 2026.
Abishan Jeevinth made a stunning directorial debut with Tourist Family – a film that won the hearts of audiences and is currently on the long list for movies in contention for the Oscar Awards.
Illaiyaraja’s gigantic milestone
Illaiyaraja entered the record books when he became the first Asian to compose and record a symphony, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing the symphony in London. He was given a hero’s welcome on his return to India.
Notable deaths in the film industry in 2025 (in chronological order)
- 25 March – Manoj Bharathiraja (48)
- 25 Mar – Shihan Hussaini (60)
- 04 April – Ravikumar Menon (71)
- 29 May – Rajesh (75)
- 02 June – Director Vikram Sukumaran (47)
- 14 July – Saroja Devi (87)
- 02 Aug – Madhan Bob (71)
- 18 Sep – Robo Shankar (56)
- 10 Nov – Abhinay (44)
- 04 Dec – AVM Saravanan (85)
Marriages in 2025
- Vishal married Sai Dhansika on 29 August.
- Samyuktha Shanmuganathan married cricketer Anirudha Srikanth on 27 November.
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu married Raj Nidimoru on 01 December.
Top 10 Highest Grossing Tamil films of 2025
- Coolie
- Good Bad Ugly
- Dragon
- Vidaa Muyarchi
- Kubera
- Dude
- Madharaasi
- Thug Life
- Tourist Family
- Veera Dheera Sooran
Sigaram Top 15 Tamil Movies of 2025
We now present to you our Top 15 films of 2025. It is a positive sign that 6 of these films – Kudumbasthan, Tourist Family, Test, Phoenix, Aan Paavam Pollathathu and Sirai – are directed by newcomers. Click on the link after the synopsis summary to read the full review.
15 – INDRA
An engaging and sometimes disturbing psychological thriller, with Vasanth Ravi, Sunil and Anika Surendran in the lead roles.
14 – KUDUMBASTHAN
The challenges of a young householder threaten the strength of the love between newlyweds played by Manikandan and Saanve Megghana.
13 – IDLY KADAI
Modernity versus tradition is the focus of this simple but heartwarming tale of a young man rediscovering living and surviving in a rural area.
12 – NILAVUKKU ENMEL ENNADI KOBAM (NEEK)
A look at youngsters dealing with the pain of lost love and broken relationships that is handled with humour and solid entertainment.
11 – TEST
R. Madhavan, Siddharth, Nayantha and Meera Jasmine head a talented cast in this intense drama of powerful and overpowering human emotions set against the backdrop of cricket.
10 – MADHARASI
Sivakarthikeyan’s second collaboration with A.R. Murugadoss is an unusual action thriller that sees him share the screen with Vidyut Jammwal and Rukmini Vassanth
09 – DNA
A non-linear screenplay, outstanding script and intense acting performances come together in this taut thriller.
08 – TOURIST FAMILY
A serious theme and story is handled with lots of organic humour and brilliant acting performances in this stunning directorial debut by Abishan Jeevinth.
07 – AAN PAAVAM POLLATHATHU
A brave deviation from current norms and trends that places in focus the plight of males in relationships. Rio Raj and Malavika Manoj breathe life into the story with a burst of energy coming from R.J. Vigneshkanth.
06 – BISON
Mari Selvaraj returns to form in a movie that brings to the fore the immense talent of Dhruv in a story that is hard-hitting and memorable.
05 – PARANTHU PO
A breezy, inspirational and comedy-filled story about rediscovering the world and rediscovering oneself.
04 – 3BHK
A stellar cast uplifts this deeply moving and relevant story of a middle class family struggling to buy a home.
03 – KAANTHA
A fictionalised period drama and murder mystery that is dominated by the talents of Dulquer Salman and Samuthrakani.
02 – PHOENIX
Vijay Sethupathy’s song, Surya – makes a brilliant debut in the directorial debut of stunt director Anl Arasu. The film has some of the finest action sequences.
01 – SIRAI
Vikram Prabhu shows the calibre of actor he is in this intense, deeply moving story of love, prejudice and injustice that is disturbingly based on true events.
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