A good film title is half box-office battle won

Initially, the title given for the film Settai was Varuthap adatha Vaalibar Sangam . However, our team was keen on Settai and ended with up with an average title. Titles like Purampokku Engira Pod huvudamai and Yatchan also did not connect strongly with audiences. The trade must say ‘title is a big plus’ once announced. Half the box office battle is won then.

A good title must follow one of the following routes to achieve recognition with audiences. 

Short: Ideally a good title is short, in one word. Director Shankar’s films were all in one word (Gentleman, Indian, Mudhalvan, Kadhalan, Anniyan, Nanban, Enthiran and I). Similarly, AR Murugadoss (Dheena, Ramana, Ghajini Thuppakki and Kathi) and K V Anand (Ko, Ayan, Maattran, Anegan and Kavan) mostly had titles in single word. It remains the best route to instantly attract audiencess. 

Unique: A good title can be unique attracting one who hears it like Maan Karathey, Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum, Attakathi, Jigirthanda, Ko, Ayan etc. 

Poetic: A good title can be poetic like Gautham Vasudev Menon’s films (Vinnaithandi Varuvaya, Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu, Vaaranam  Aayiram, Pachaikili Muthucharam, Neethane En Ponvasantham etc.) or Poo, Sollamale, Thavamai Thavam Irundhu, Vetrikodi Kattu etc. 

Purposeful: A good title can be purposeful and connecting with the films’ theme like Ivan Vera Mathiri, Kumki, Vazhakku Enn: 18/9, Velai Illa Pattathari, Visaranai, Irudhi Suttru, Sigaram Thodu, Aranmanai, Porkkalam etc. 

Reflecting dominance: A good title must establish dominance for audiences to understand the lead character’s power like Baasha, Sivaji, Mudhalvan, Nandha, Singam, Siruthai, Bhairavaa, Bahubali, Yeman, Pa Pandi, Naan Kadavul, Sathya, Virumandi, Vishwaroopam, Veeram, Vedalam, Kabali etc. 

Excitement: An interesting and funny title creates excitement among audiences. Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya, Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, Enakku Innoru Per Irukku, Trisha Illena Nayanthara etc are ideal examples. 

Instant connect: Certain titles have the ability to instantly register in our mind due to their simplicity like Apoorva Sagotharargal, Anbe Sivam, Dasavatharam, Thoongavanam, Sabash Naidu etc. 

Anti-sentiment: What was once considered anti-sentiment title, has become the flavour of the season such as Pichaikkaran, Saithan, Yeman etc. This route can be adopted by select filmmakers with such credibility. 

Used titles: One can look at the easiest and laziest route of picking up an old film’s title and justify why it was picked up for the new film. All said, a good title delivers the following magic to the film: 

Attract (A) – Audiences instantly connects with the audiences. 

Interest (I) – Audiences would want to know more about the film and the expectation will build up. 

Desire (D) – It still in desire among audiences to watch the film immediately when released.  

A good title AIDs the film it its commercial success and should not be missed by filmmakers. 

To pick up a good title one can look at motivational quotations, literature, poetry, films, books or strings of words and finalise the one that would reflect the story chosen. Filmmakers should take time to choose a title. Having titles that bring instant disconnect must be avoided. Only for films with top artistes, one can have any title and not worry about audiences’s excitement as their presence alone is enought for the audiences. For all other films, title is the key and must be the first winning element for a team.