Career defining stories or films may seem like a daunting and heavy task for some but these debut directors who with their first ticket into Kollywood have swooshed in with ease. Tamil Cinema in 2024 if studied will have some really impressive works from debutants who did not hold back from showcasing their raw style of filmmaking.
A breakthrough is a dream for many and these talents have taken their fate into their own hands and successfully proved their scope. With subjects of modern love, societal indifferences, perilous handling of innate emotions, the subject chosen by these new directors seems far too risky to negotiate in their first try.
S. Jayakumar – Blue Star
A sports drama that speaks about segregation and indifferences between two local cricket teams based on caste system is the plot of Blue Star that was released in January, 2024. The movie with its closer to reality approach and an unfortunate reflection of prevalent inequalities that just keeps on growing is a unique concept for a first time director.
The film stars Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Ashok Selvan, Prithvi Rajan, Keerthi Pandiyan, Elango Kumaravel and the movie was well received with audiences. The clarity of director S. Jayakumar in making a film about caste in real spaces where talent and skills are enough is highly appreciable.
Prabhuran Vyas – Lover
An ugly but true reflection of how modern love is brewing and complicating is the one liner of debutant Prabhuram Vyas’ February 2024 release, Lover. The film is simple with a couple in their own interests and seems justified for their actions and life choices yet together they are drifting apart, making the film a daring one.
Starring Manikandan and Sri Gouri Priya in titular roles, the director’s vision in building their relationship with such accuracy is happening right in front of all of us. A clean plot, made interesting with toxic egos clashing.
Suresh Mari – J Baby
A funny, unique comedy film directed by Suresh Mari that released in March, 2024 cuts deep with its emotional storyline. The life of a senior citizen who doesn’t care about the aftermath of her actions and takes matters into her own hands reaches a breaking point and leaves her native. The son is on a path to find her and bring her back in an emotional journey.
The movie with its simplicity and relatable aspects of the relationship between a mother and her son and the dynamics of them and the family was received with mixed reviews. Veteran actress Urvashi strikes again while Dinesh and Maran prove their depth of performance.
Pari Elavazhagan – Jama
A director with a completely fresh perspective who not only has directed but also has starred in it is Pari Elavazhagan in Jama. One of those movies that will be labelled as ‘underrated’ and ‘un appreciated’ in the future, Jama is about how society’s firm stereotypes and regularities trim around a talented drama performer Kalyanam.
Pari Elavazhagan’s direction and acting in the movie certainly stands out. The rest of the cast includes Ammu Abirami and Chetan portraying their characters convincingly, Jama is one of the outstanding movies left under the rug.
Tamilarasan Pachamuthu – Lubber Pandhu
Another sports drama that delved into the lives of two men whose egos clash with their love for cricket is the only golden thread connecting them. Lubber Pandhu captures the essence of how a commercially viable film can also project subjects of casteism and include soulful love stories.
Thamilarasan Pachamuthu with his razor sharp understanding and planning of his script has mailed the commercial elements for the fans to scream over while also juggling social messages subtly through the film.
KG Balasubramani – Black
A Science Fiction thriller with most of the screen time surrounding only two actors in a loop concept is a risky subject to handle at any day, especially for a debut film. KG Subramani has successfully made a decent sci-fi movie with Black which is engaging and thought-provoking.
A couple stuck in a lonely time loop that turns out to be a wormhole of sorts that transports them between different universes with added complications in their life makes the plot of Black. Jeeva and Priya Bhavani Shankar takes up most frames in the film and showcases a convincing performance.
