2009: Regional cinema comes of age

2009 has been a wonderful year for regional cinema both in terms of recognition and box office collections. Here is a look at some of the regional films that made news this year.

  • 2009 has been a wonderful year for Indian regional cinema both in terms of recognition and box office collections. Here is a look at some of the regional movies that made news in 2009.
    2009 has been a wonderful year for Indian regional cinema both in terms of recognition and box office collections. Here is a look at some of the regional movies that made news in 2009.
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  • <I>Harishchandrachi Factory</I>, a Marathi film on the life and struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke, was nominated as India's official entry to the Oscars in the Foreign Film Category. It was the second Marathi film to get this honour.
    Harishchandrachi Factory, a Marathi film on the life and struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke, was nominated as India's official entry to the Oscars in the Foreign Film Category. It was the second Marathi film to get this honour.
  • Director Priyadarshan's off-beat Tamil film <i>Kanjeevaram</i> bagged the best feature film award at the 55th National Film Awards 2007.
    Director Priyadarshan's off-beat Tamil film Kanjeevaram bagged the best feature film award at the 55th National Film Awards 2007.
  • ) <I>Pazhassi Raja</I>, starring Mammootty, turned out to be the costliest Malayalam movie till date. The film received an overwhelming response at the box office.
    ) Pazhassi Raja, starring Mammootty, turned out to be the costliest Malayalam movie till date. The film received an overwhelming response at the box office.
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  • A Malayalam movie <I>Kerala Caf�</I> was premiered at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. It was conceived by a team of 10 directors, 10 cinematographers, musicians, editors, art directors and almost all the top Malayalam film actors.
    A Malayalam movie Kerala Café was premiered at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. It was conceived by a team of 10 directors, 10 cinematographers, musicians, editors, art directors and almost all the top Malayalam film actors.
  • <I>Kuttysrank</I>, a Malayalam film by Shaji N Karun was premiered at the Montreal Film Festival.
    Kuttysrank, a Malayalam film by Shaji N Karun was premiered at the Montreal Film Festival.
  • Kamal Haasan's <I>Unnaipol Oruvan</I>, an adaptation of the Bollywood film <I>A Wednesday</I>, was a major hit at the box office.
    Kamal Haasan's Unnaipol Oruvan, an adaptation of the Bollywood film A Wednesday, was a major hit at the box office.
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  • Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi launched a film <I>Ponnar-Sankar</I>, based on his own novel.
    Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi launched a film Ponnar-Sankar, based on his own novel.
  • The Southern film industry too had its own share of controversies in 2009. Malayalam film awards sparked controversy when acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's <I>Oru Pennum Randaanum</I> swept the state film awards. Well-known Malayalam filmmaker TV Chandran criticised the jury's decision.
    The Southern film industry too had its own share of controversies in 2009. Malayalam film awards sparked controversy when acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Oru Pennum Randaanum swept the state film awards. Well-known Malayalam filmmaker TV Chandran criticised the jury's decision.
  • ) <I>Naanum Kodeeshwaran</I>, the Tamil version of multiple Oscar-winning movie <I>Slumdog Millionaire</I> generated a lot of hype before the film hit the screens.
    ) Naanum Kodeeshwaran, the Tamil version of multiple Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire generated a lot of hype before the film hit the screens.
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  • Kannada film, <I>Eddelu Manjunatha</I>, which was a laugh riot, became one of the most successful films of 2009.
    Kannada film, Eddelu Manjunatha, which was a laugh riot, became one of the most successful films of 2009.
  • Another Kannada film <I>Kiran Bedi</I> hogged the limelight because of the return of action-heroine Malashri, who is known as Lady Amithabh Bachchan in Kannada films. The film was not about Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer, but it was about a woman cop named Kiran.
    Another Kannada film Kiran Bedi hogged the limelight because of the return of action-heroine Malashri, who is known as Lady Amithabh Bachchan in Kannada films. The film was not about Kiran Bedi, the first woman IPS officer, but it was about a woman cop named Kiran.
  • <I>Magadheera</I> directed by SS Rajamouli, and produced by Allu Aravind made waves in the South Indian film industry by collecting a massive revenue. Moreover, the film is high on technical values and has some excellent performances.
    Magadheera directed by SS Rajamouli, and produced by Allu Aravind made waves in the South Indian film industry by collecting a massive revenue. Moreover, the film is high on technical values and has some excellent performances.
  • The Bhojpuri film industry also had a lot to boast about in 2009. Actor Ravi Kishan's film <I>Luck</I> did good business at the box office. Besides this, Kishan has also singed a film in which he will play Devdas. It's for the first time that <I>Devdas</I> is being made in Bhojpuri.
    The Bhojpuri film industry also had a lot to boast about in 2009. Actor Ravi Kishan's film Luck did good business at the box office. Besides this, Kishan has also singed a film in which he will play Devdas. It's for the first time that Devdas is being made in Bhojpuri.
  • Bhojpuri super star Manoj Tiwari and Bihari Babu Shatrughan Sinha came together for the Bhojpuri film <I>International Daroga</I>.
    Bhojpuri super star Manoj Tiwari and Bihari Babu Shatrughan Sinha came together for the Bhojpuri film International Daroga.
  • <I>Mehndi Rachaib Tohre Naam Ke</I>, released in 2009, became the first Bhojpuri suspense thriller.
    Mehndi Rachaib Tohre Naam Ke, released in 2009, became the first Bhojpuri suspense thriller.
  • In Tollywood, Sandip Ray's <I>Tintorettor Jishu</I> earned accolades for its competent and enjoyable adaption of the original novel by Satyajit Ray.
    In Tollywood, Sandip Ray's Tintorettor Jishu earned accolades for its competent and enjoyable adaption of the original novel by Satyajit Ray.
  • Rituparno Ghosh's film <I>Shob Charitro Kalponik</I> was in the news for introducing Bipasha Basu in Bengali films.
    Rituparno Ghosh's film Shob Charitro Kalponik was in the news for introducing Bipasha Basu in Bengali films.
  • Bengali cinema went global with <I>Dwando</I>. This film, directed and produced by Suman Ghosh, tied up with Long Tail, the second largest film distribution house in Hollywood after Warner Brothers, for its global release.
    Bengali cinema went global with Dwando. This film, directed and produced by Suman Ghosh, tied up with Long Tail, the second largest film distribution house in Hollywood after Warner Brothers, for its global release.