8: Madhavan in Minnalae
Madhavan (Maddy) became the heartthrob of girls during the release of Alaipayuthey? He garnered a massive fan following with his debut film, directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam. Following this success, Madhavan delivered another blockbuster with Minnale, marking Gautam Vasudev Menon’s debut in Kollywood. This film became an enduring favorite among fans of the romantic genre. Many people have affectionately referred to Madhavan as Maddy since the release of Minnale. When he lights up a cigarette, Harris Jeyaraj’s iconic BGM singing “Maddy, Maddy, Oh Oh Maddy” plays as a standout scene in the film. This scene exudes a sense of coolness that has remained etched in the minds of the audience. It’s worth noting that Minnale is also Harris Jeyaraj’s inaugural venture as a music director.
7: Surya in Ayudha Ezhuthu
In this film, Surya debuts a clean-shaven look, portraying the character Michael Vasanth. Michael is a young individual with ambitious aspirations, excelling in academics, sports, social services, and leadership. The entire movie exudes Mani Ratnam’s distinctive style, a clear indication of his directorial touch. The movie adopts a narrative style that reflects Ratnam’s artistic sensibilities, drawing inspiration from the Spanish film Amores Perros. The introduction scene unfolds with Surya engaging in a confrontation with a politician’s brother, who assaults his friend for participating in the college election. In a mall encounter, Surya attempts to dissuade them from bringing politics into college elections. Addressing his opponent, he asks, “College election kula unga arasiyal saakadaiya edhuku kalakuringa?” and upon receiving a vague response, he unexpectedly delivers a punch, asserting, “Naan Unkita thana Ketan“ accompanied by an impactful AR Rahman background score.
