Content is hero and raises career of film artistes

The same is the case with Rahman, whose last film as a hero was Sangamam (1999). After 17 years, he made a comeback as the protagonist in a strong content based film - Dhruvan gal Pathinaru and tasted success. He is now back in reckoning as a hero and doing multiple films. 

Vijay, who got introduced as hero in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) did not achieve commercial success until Poove Unakkaga (1996), which was his ninth film as hero and also a turnaround film in his career. Even when he was going through a lean patch from 2000 to 2003 with films like Badri, Shahajahan, Tamizhan, Youth, Bhaga vathi, Vaseegara, Pudhiya Geethai not doing well, it was the strong content based Thirumalai (2003), which established him as a mass hero and since then no looking back for him. 

Ajith’s career graph was no different. He achieved big success in 2002 with Villain and then there were a series of not so successful films (Anjenaya, Jana, Atta hasam, Ji, Paramasivam, Thirupathi, Aalwar) for almost five years. He bounced back with a humongous hit Billa in 2007 and since then he has become a top star with huge fan-base. 

Natty (Natarajan), who made his debut in Naalai (2006), came to limelight only in Sathuranga Vettai (2014), a huge hit. Not just actors, even filmmakers made a big comeback only with a strong content based film. Though Prabu Solomon made his debut with Kannodu Kanbathellam in 1999, it was Mynaa (2010) which catapulted him to big league. Same was the case with Radha Mohan, who made his debut with Azhagiya Theeye (2004) but became a popular director  with Mozhi (2007). 

Tamil film industry has several case studies of talented actors and filmmakers becoming highly successful after a lean patch with a strong content based films. The films that gave breakthrough were all known for their powerful content. Time and again content has proved to be the harbinger of change. 

Incidentally, most films which gave a breakthrough were not high budget films but were backed by strong content. Strong content does not require huge budget to attract audience. The success of recent low budget films like Kakka Muttai, Indru Netru Naalai, Metro, Joker, Appa, Dhru vangal 16, Athey Kangal and the recent Kuttram 23 demonstrate that when there is a strong content even with smaller stars, success is guaranteed. 

The distribution trade categorises artistes and directors based on their past successes and not by talent or potential. Most actors and filmmakers who had a successful career earlier and now not much in demand are all looking for a breakthrough. All that they should be searching for is a strong content based film as when such a film succeeds, they will be surely be back in reckoning. The producers of such films should not look at hero/director’s market potential or lack of it but the potential of the content to click with audience and make the film with limited budget. Such films will have no buyers before release and the producers should be prepared to release on their own. When their films turn out to be good, they need not worry about the box office results. Good content never fails with audience and if the producers ensure the film is released at an appropriate time with right promotions, it will certainly reach the targeted audience. Post release, the strong content will take over and bring in the success as we witnessed till date. 

Maanagaram releasing this week is backed by strong content, which gave the confidence to the producers to organise the premiere four days prior. The film is sure to get positive buzz to make it a winner. Content scores big with audience does not require any further proof.