It has not been a great year so far for Tamil cinema, which is going through a rough patch with consistent failures and frequent theatre strikes. However, amid all the problems, the industry has also managed to churn out some hits. There have been a few good attempts which turned fruitful, like Bala's Naachiyaar, GR Aditya's Savarakathi and Karthik Subbaraj's Mercury. These small-budget films turned out to be profitable for the producers. However, 2018 has been more successful for big-budget movies, which have gone on to become blockbusters. From Kaala to the recently-released Jayam Ravi-starrer Tik Tik Tik, many larger-than-life films have been appreciated by the audience. We take a look at the top five films that made a significant mark at the box office in the first half of 2018. THAANAA SERNDHA KOTTAM: Out of the three big Pongal releases - Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, Sketch and Gulaebaghavali - only the Suriya-starrer turned out to be a blockbuster. The remake of Akshay Kumar's Special 26, Thaanaa Serndha Koottam earned about Rs 90 crore in 10 days. Trade analysts predict that it has touched the Rs 100-crore mark. Starring Suriya, Keerthy Suresh and Kalaiarasan in the lead roles, the film is about a gang of tricksters, who masquerade as CBI officers and rob the rich and well-heeled. IRUMBU THIRAI: Vishal's Irumbu Thirai turned out to be the year's efficient entertainer, which also reflected the perils of mass surveillance. Directed by PS Mithran, the film is about a military officer whose bank account gets hacked. The film opened to a great response from both the audience and critics. Irumbu Thirai minted about Rs 20 crore in the first week across the world. IRUTTU ARAYIL MURATTU KUTHU: Despite being an adult film, Gautham Karthik's horror-comedy turned out to be a hit by collecting about Rs 2 crore at the Tamil Nadu box office. The success of the film has now spurred the makers on to start working on another adult comedy. Starring Vaibhavi and Yaashika, the film is about a virgin ghost who is after virgin guys who stay at a haunted guest house. KAALA: Rajinikanth's Kaala might not have been able to recreate the Kabali magic, but it is still a huge success at the box office. According to a report, the film crossed the Rs 100-crore mark in a matter of three days. The film is still running successfully across Tamil Nadu. The second collaboration of Rajinikanth and Pa Ranjith is about a Dharavi-based gangster, who fights for the rights of his people. The film has been received well more by critics than fans and has started many dialogues about Dalit issues. TIK TIK TIK: Touted to the first space film of India, Jayam Ravi's Tik Tik Tik is the Indian version of Hollywood film Armageddon. Despite mixed reviews, the film has become a huge hit across Tamil Nadu. According to trade analysts, the film has raked in about Rs 22 crore in 10 days of its release. The film is still continuing its successful run at the box office.
