Pongal releases, 2010

Pongal and Deepavali are two festivals in Tamil Nadu that excite filmmakers as well as film watchers. Sometimes, you see a flood of films during Pongal and at other times dry (though it rarely happens).

While 2010 falls in the latter category, with only four films releasing, the selection is varied. The most anticipated film, however being Selvaraghavan's long awaited Aayirathil Oruvan.

Aayirathil Oruvan is said to be the most ambitious project of Selvaraghavan who has so far made only simple but realistic films. It is said to be a period film with a lot of fantasy elements in it.

Karthi, who shot to fame with Paruthiveeran, is returning with his second film after a hiatus of two years. Giving him company are Reema Sen and Andrea. Music by G V Prakash is brilliant.

It is a strange coincidence that there is going to a royal battle at the box office between brothers Selvaraghavan and Dhanush. It was Selva who launched Dhanush and gave him a name as an actor.

Dhanush's last films -- Yaradi Nee Mohini with Nayanthara (a remake of Selvaraghavan's Telugu hit Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule), Polladhavan with Divya Spandana (an adaptation of Bicycle Thieves) and Padikathavan with Tamannah, were commercial successes. Kutty is also a remake of Allu Arjun's Telugu film, Arya.

Hot and happening Shriya Saran is Dhanush's heroine. The film is directed by Mithran R Jawahar who earlier directed Dhanush in Yaradi Nee Mohini. Devi Sri Prasad, who composed music for the original, does the music of Kutty also.

Kutty, a commercial film is expected to do well.

Nanayam, an action thriller produced by S P B Charan and directed by Shakthi stars Prasanna, Sibi Raj and S P Balasubramaniam. It was supposed to reach the theatres last Christmas.

This can be the dark horse this Pongal.

Porkkalam (Battlefield) is directed by 24-year-old debutant director Bandi Sarojkumar. With Kishore, the coach of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu in the lead, this film is described as a "high voltage action thriller."

With a title such as Porkkalam, plenty of action is expected. The action sequences are said to be choreographed by the director "in a natural and exciting way, without including the regular irritating commercial fantasies.

The story tels of the battle of a "single man for love, revenge and destiny against many".