​ Coimbatore Mappillai to Varisu: Thalapathy Vijay films that ​kicked up a storm​ on Pongal

​The Pongal holidays have been considered lucky for Thalapathy Vijay as his films have predominantly ​​​set the cash registers ringing at the box office

Vijay in a still from Coimbatore Mappilai; (right) A still from Varisu

​As Vijay's Varisu gears up to hit screens for Pongal 2023, fans are an excited lot. The film, helmed by Vamshi Paidipally is said to be Vijay's 15th Pongal release. The Pongal holidays have been a favourite window for namma Thalapathy and the actor has had a lucky streak of hit films. Here are a few films of the Thalapathy that rocked the Box Office during the during the harvest festival holidays.

Coimbatore Mappillai (1996)
The romantic comedy, directed by C Ranganthan, starring the hit combo of Vijay and Sangavi marked the beginning of the successful streak of hit films that were released for Pongal. Vijay plays an unemployed young man and his comedy scenes with Goundamani in the film were a scream.

Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen (1997)
Despite releasing at the same time as Mani Ratnam's Iruvar and Rajiv Menon's Minsara Kanavu, the film starring Vijay and Dimple worked well with the audience. The romantic drama directed by R Sundararajan had good ratings on television as well.

Kannukkul Nilavu (2000)
This romantic thriller marked the comeback of the hit combo from Kaadhalukku Mariyadhai, Vijay and Shalini. Vijay plays a youngster who has delusions due to a head injury. This was the actor's 25th film and his first release of the new century. The songs by Ilaiyaraaja were chartbusters, too.

Friends (2001)
Friends, a remake of the Malayalam film of the same name, marked director Siddique's debut in Tamil. Vijay shared screen space with Suriya for the second time after Nerukku Ner. The film was a commercial success and was a laugh riot, courtesy Contractor Nesamani, aka Vaigai Puyal Vadivelu.

Vaseegara (2003)
The romantic comedy by K Selva Bharathy marked Vijay's sole film with Sneha and was a remake of the Telugu film, Nuvvu Naaku Nachav. Vijay plays a happy-go-lucky guy from Pollachi, who falls in love with father's friend's daughter.

Thirupaachi (2005)
Perarasu;s Thirupaachi, which was one of Vijay's biggest Pongal hits, revolved around the the bond between brother and sister (played by Vijay and Mallika). Vijay played the brother who would go any length for the safety of his sister, which includes wiping a city clean of gangsters. Trisha essays the role of Vijay's love interest in the film and the songs were chartbusters, too.

Aathi (2006)
Aathi marked yet another collaboration of Vijay with Trisha. The film was a remake of the Telugu film Athanokkade and was directed by Ramana. Aathi, however, didn't set the cash registers ringing at the box office.

Pokkiri (2007)
Pokkiri, the action drama, emerged as a blockbuster at the box office and was a remake of Mahesh Babu's Telugu film Pokiri. Vijay plays an undercover police officer. The film marked the maiden collaboration of Vijay and Asin and was directed by Prabhu Deva. The music by Mani Sharma and the comedy portions by Vadivelu were a major highlights in the film.

Villu (2009)
Yet another directorial venture of Prabhu Deva, Villu brought together Nayanthara and Vijay. Vijay played a dual role in the film. Barring the comedy portions of Vijay with Vadivelu, the film opened to negative reviews and was declared a disaster at the box office.

Kaavalan (2011)
This romantic comedy helmed by Siddique was a remake of the Malayalam film of the same name, and brought together Vijay and Asin once again on screen. The film marked Asin's last project in Tamil. Vadivelu once again stole the show with his comic timings as Ammavasai.

Nanban (2012)
The coming-of-age comedy drama was a remake of Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots and marked Vijay's maiden venture with Ileana. The film takes on the educational system and societal stereotypes and was a massive hit at the box office.

Jilla (2014)
Jilla marked Vijay's maiden collaboration with Mohanlal and revolves around the conflict between the leader of crime mafia and his adopted son, who goes on to become a police officer.

Bairavaa (2017)
The action comedy directed by Bharathan had Vijay playing a debt collector who later takes on a criminal who controls the educational system. Keerthy Suresh plays the leading lady in the film.

Master (2021) Vijay plays an alcoholic professor who is assigned to teach children at a juvenile home where he takes on a drug mafia leader Bhavani, played by Vijay Sethupathi. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj was a massive hit.

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