PremiumBest of 2024: Top 10 performances that defined Tamil cinema this year
Best of 2024: OTTplay lists the top 10 best performances Tamil cinema witnessed. How many of them have you caught up with so far?
Last Updated: 11.43 AM, Dec 19, 2024
As we draw towards the end of 2024, it is worth looking at the best performances of this year. While Tamil films fairly performed, and had their own ups and downs, there were indeed a few performances that stood larger than the film itself, sometimes propelling the film to do better. Meanwhile, a few other performances stood as the icing on the cake. Let’s take a look at the best performances this year, in no particular order.
Best of 2024
Vikram – Thangalaan (Netflix)
Vikram in Pa Ranjith’s Thangalaan, plays the head of a tribal community, as he channels his inner pain of lived experience, turmoil of oppression, and that of a man who still carries the pride of his roots that once guarded the treasure from human’s greed. Vikram, who is known for going through physical and mental transformation for his roles, does it once again for Thangalaan. The actor embodies a personality that not only meant important to be portrayed onscreen but also displays a varied range of depth and understanding in bringing a less-told story to the fore.
Karthi and Arvind Swamy – Meiyazhagan (Netflix)
In Prem Kumar’s Meiyazhagan, Karthi plays a rural man who knows no boundaries when it comes to showering love, care, and affection. Of course, his performance was ably highlighted by Arvind Swamy’s portrayal of a man who is estranged from his roots while still yearning for it. Meiyazhagan, which predominantly runs on the talkie portions between Karthi and Arvind Swamy, gives enough and more breathing space for the actors to take the audience through a journey of homecoming. Karthi’s Meiyazhagan, with his childlike personality, is very much what an introverted man like Arvind Swamy’s Arulmozhi Varman needs.
Soori – Garudan (Prime Video)
Soori, who plays the fiercely loyal servant in Garudan, unpacks his action avatar in Garudan. Torn between friendship and truth, Soori’s nuanced performance as a man caught between deceit, need for justice, and wickedness, eventually made Garudan a rewarding watch.
Anna Ben - Kottukkaali (Aha)
Anna Ben’s Meena in Kottukkaali is a woman who has fought her battles and had it enough, that she gives up on her family and resorts to silence. Her family, on the other side, mistakes her silence for possession as they try to take her to the shaman. Sans any dialogues, Anna Ben showcases Meena’s grit and persistence through her body language, which is ably complimented by Soori’s portrayal of a highly misogynistic man who can go to any extent to convince Meena to marry him.
Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi – Amaran (Netflix)
Biopics which tend to concentrate on the central protagonist took a change in route with Amaran. With Sivakarthikeyan playing the late Major Mukund Varadarajan, Amaran became more of a romantic film and less of a military story. A poignant tale of love between Mukund and his wife Indhu Rebecca Varghese (played by Sai Pallavi), the lead actors embody the personalities of the real-life couple and are brought onscreen with utmost dedication. Sai Pallavi as a woman madly in love with her man and his dreams, and Sivakarthikeyan as a man whose love goes beyond just his family, uplifts Amaran tremendously.
Urvashi – J Baby (Prime Video)
In J Baby, Urvashi plays a mother to two grown-up sons and yet exhibits a childish quality as her health conditions begin to take a toll. A patient with Alzheimer’s, Urvashi’s titular character of being an aged woman, and shown beyond her motherly duties, is what makes J Baby stand out from the rest of the film which tends to box mothers to just have lives surrounding their sons. Urvashi, a powerhouse of talent, who needs no introduction, makes J Baby a heartening watch and represents many mothers whose conditions are yet to be represented onscreen.
Kavin – Star (Prime Video)
Kavin, who plays an aspiring actor in Star, dishes out charm, vulnerability, anger, disappointment, and acceptance in Star. Even as the film fell short of expectations, Kavin managed to bring something to the table that the audience could enjoy. Star, in return the actor, also gives immense space to showcase his dance moves, an array of emotions, and a character arc that almost begins to resonate with the audience before the movie ends. As a side note, Kavin, who also had another release Bloody Beggar, takes upon the challenge of being unidentifiable as a beggar and does his charm once again.
Vijay Sethupathi – Maharaja (Netflix)
Vijay Sethupathi headlined Maharaja, a film that follows a father’s pursuit to get justice for his child. But director Nithilan Saminathan takes the story in a way that shows the vulnerabilities of the titular character played by the actor. With an underlying penchant to take revenge against the perpetrators and, at the same time, to be nonchalant about it, Vijay Sethupathi excels in increasing the intensity of his performance as the film progresses.
Attakathi Dinesh and Harish Kalyan - Lubber Pandhu (Disney+ Hotstar)
It is no secret that performances in Lubber Pandhu were one of the main reasons for the cricket sports drama to resonate so much with the audience. Attakathi Dinesh or rather Gettu Dinesh and Harish Kalyan playing the rivals on the ground, and ego-brimming, would-be father-in-law and son-in-law, makes Lubber Pandhu a fantastic watch. Of course, with the help of a supporting cast including Swasika, Sanjana, Kaali Venkat, and Bala Saravanan, the intellect writing, and direction of Tamizhasan Pachamuthu, Lubber Pandhu becomes a wholesome watch.
Samyuktha Vijayan - Nila Neera Sooriyan
Samyuktha Vijayan, who stars and directs Nila Neera Sooriyan, plays a person who is undergoing gender transformation. With its subtle and delicate filmmaking, backed by an authentic voice, Nila Neera Sooriyan has become one of the underrated films this year. However, Samyuktha champions with full honesty and dedication this tale that needs to be told out loud.