Tamil Movie Quiz: How Well Do You Know Tamil Cinema?

The Tamil remake of "Delhi Belly," titled "Settai," starred Arya, Santhanam, and Premgi Amaren in lead roles. The film adapted the black comedy elements of the original Hindi version while incorporating humor that resonated with Tamil audiences. The trio’s comedic timing and chemistry played a significant role in making the film entertaining. Although "Settai" toned down some of the adult humor from "Delhi Belly," it retained the essence of chaotic misadventures and dark comedy. The film showcased how Tamil cinema experiments with remakes while catering to regional tastes and cultural preferences.

Vijay has never worked with director Hari, who is known for fast-paced action films like the "Singam" series. Vijay has collaborated with A. Venkatesh on "Selva" and "Bhagavathi," Dharani on "Ghilli," and Vasanth on "Nerrukku Ner." Hari's filmmaking style, which typically features police stories and action-packed sequences, would suit Vijay’s action-oriented roles. However, despite their similar styles, they have never worked together. This remains an interesting fact for Tamil cinema enthusiasts, as a collaboration between them could result in a successful commercial entertainer in the future.

"Force," the 2011 Bollywood action thriller starring John Abraham and Genelia D'Souza, is a remake of the Tamil film "Kaakha Kaakha." The original, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and starring Suriya and Jyothika, was a major success in Tamil cinema. It revolved around a police officer battling organized crime while dealing with personal loss. The Hindi version retained the gripping narrative and high-octane action sequences but adapted them for a broader audience. The film’s success in both languages highlighted the appeal of intense cop dramas in Indian cinema.

"Indian," a Tamil film directed by S. Shankar and released in 1996, was the first Indian film to hire make-up artists from the United States. The film starred Kamal Haasan in a dual role, and his complex aging makeup was a significant part of his character portrayal, requiring advanced makeup techniques. The American make-up artist Michael Westmore, known for his work in Hollywood, especially on the "Star Trek" series, was brought in to design and apply the aging makeup for Kamal Haasan's role. This collaboration marked a significant milestone in Indian cinema, integrating international expertise in makeup artistry to achieve the desired effects for the film’s characters.

In "Ellam Avan Seyal," released in 2008, Vadivelu portrays "Vandu Murugan," a humorous yet significant character in the film. Directed by Shaji Kailas, the movie stars R. K. and features Vadivelu in a supporting comedic role. Known for his impeccable comic timing, Vadivelu’s portrayal of "Vandu Murugan" added humor to the film’s narrative. His expressions, body language, and witty dialogues made the character popular among Tamil cinema audiences. Vadivelu's comedy tracks in this film contributed to its entertainment value, reinforcing his status as one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated comedians.

Kamal Haasan is the only Indian actor to deliver five mega-hits in 1982 across Tamil and Hindi cinema. His films that year included "Sakalakala Vallavan," "Moondram Pirai," "Sattam," "Ek Duuje Ke Liye," and "Sanam Teri Kasam." This record remains significant in Indian cinema, as very few actors have achieved such consistent success in multiple industries in a single year. Kamal Haasan's versatility, ability to adapt to different roles, and commitment to cinema made him one of the most celebrated actors of his time. His achievements in 1982 further solidified his reputation as an industry icon.

Santhanam made his debut in the Tamil film "Manmadhan," released in 2004 and starring Silambarasan. In the movie, he played a supporting comedic role, which marked the beginning of his successful career as a leading comedian in Tamil cinema. His style, characterized by witty dialogue delivery and perfect comedic timing, soon became a staple in commercial Tamil films. "Manmadhan" opened doors for him in the industry, leading to numerous roles where he provided comic relief in blockbuster films. Over the years, he has evolved into a lead actor, proving his versatility beyond comedy.

"Keechaka Vadham," directed by R. Nataraja Mudaliar in 1918, is considered the first Tamil silent film. It was inspired by a story from the Mahabharata and marked the beginning of Tamil cinema. At the time, filmmaking was in its early stages in India, and silent films were the norm due to the lack of synchronized sound. The success of "Keechaka Vadham" paved the way for future Tamil films. The first Tamil talkie, "Kalidas," directed by H. M. Reddy, was released in 1931. "Alam Ara," a Hindi film, was India’s first sound film, released in 1931.

"Ko," directed by K. V. Anand and starring Jiiva, was a political thriller released in 2011. The film gained immense popularity for its engaging storyline, suspenseful twists, and strong performances. In Telugu, it was dubbed and released as "Rangam," where it also became a hit. The movie follows a journalist uncovering a political conspiracy, blending investigative journalism with action sequences. The cinematography and music by Harris Jayaraj further added to its appeal. The film’s success in multiple languages highlights its universal themes and gripping screenplay, making it one of the best political thrillers in Tamil cinema.

Among the movies listed, "Vaaranam Aayiram" is the film for which Suriya received the most number of awards from various associations. He won several prestigious awards for his performance in this film, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor, and the Vijay Award for Best Actor. The film itself was highly acclaimed and received multiple awards across different categories​.

Rajiv Menon served as the cinematographer for the movie 'Bombay.' Apart from his work as a cinematographer, he is also a renowned director in the Indian film industry. Rajiv Menon has directed notable films and is recognized for his contributions to both cinematography and filmmaking. His expertise in visual storytelling has made him a prominent figure in the Indian film fraternity. As a cinematographer, he has played a significant role in capturing the visuals and aesthetics of 'Bombay,' contributing to the film's overall visual appeal.

Lakshmi Rai reportedly caught the attention of Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron while shooting a Malayalam film in Dubai. Impressed by her screen presence and acting skills, he offered her a role in one of his upcoming projects. This was a rare opportunity for an Indian actress to be considered by a globally renowned director like Cameron, known for "Titanic" and "Avatar." While the collaboration did not lead to a widely released film, her selection highlights the growing influence of Indian cinema in global entertainment and the interest of Hollywood in South Indian actors.

Na. Muthukumar, primarily known as a Tamil lyricist, wrote dialogues for the 2007 film "Kireedom," starring Ajith Kumar. The film, directed by A. L. Vijay, was a remake of a Malayalam movie with the same name. Muthukumar’s strength in writing poetic and emotional lyrics translated well into screenplay dialogues, adding depth to the father-son relationship explored in the film. His work helped enhance the dramatic intensity, making the film more relatable and impactful. Though he mainly focused on lyrics, his contribution to screenplay writing showcased his versatility as a writer in Tamil cinema.

Dhayanidhi Alagiri was the initial producer of "Vettai," a Tamil action film directed by N. Lingusamy. He was associated with Cloud Nine Movies, which had backed several successful Tamil films. However, due to undisclosed reasons, he exited the project before its completion. Following his departure, UTV Motion Pictures took over the production, ensuring the film's release in 2012. "Vettai" starred Arya, Madhavan, Sameera Reddy, and Amala Paul and was well-received for its action sequences and commercial appeal. Dhayanidhi Alagiri's departure from the project remains a notable shift in the film's production history.

The correct answer is Yuvan Shankar Raja. Yuvan Shankar Raja is the youngest son of legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, and he made his debut as a composer when he was only 16 years old, with the 1997 film Aravindhan. He has since composed music for over 100 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, and has won several awards, such as the Filmfare Award, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award, and the Vijay Award.