Industry Hits in Tamil Cinema
The Tamil films which achieved the industry hit status (All time highest grosser) in the history of the Tamil cinema are listed here.
The films listed here are listed on the basis of their worldwide gross figures.
Note : Few old films that are listed below didn't release in the overseas markets or the gross figures are not available. For such films, the term worldwide gross refers to their domestic gross only.
The films listed here are listed on the basis of their worldwide gross figures.
Note : Few old films that are listed below didn't release in the overseas markets or the gross figures are not available. For such films, the term worldwide gross refers to their domestic gross only.
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- DirectorH.M. ReddyStarsT.P. RajalakshmiP.G. VenkatesanL.V. PrasadA Princess is tricked into marrying a naive and illiterate youth.Worldwide Gross : 1 Lakh (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorBaburao PendharkarStarsS. JayalakshmiRajamThe story of this film revolves around Sri Rama and Seetha's wedding.Worldwide Gross : 2.5 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorK. SubramaniamStarsM.K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharR.S. SundarambalS.S. Mani BhagavatharPavalakkodi tells the mythical love story of Arjuna (Thyagaraja Bhagavathar) and Pavalakkodi (S. D. Subbulakshmi), the princess of Coral Island.Worldwide Gross : 7.5 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorEllis DunganStarsM.R. GnanamalM.K. RadhaT.S. BalaiahA wealthy man escapes after shooting his friend in drunken state which results in a drastic change in his life then.Worldwide Gross : 10 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorY.V. RaoStarsAswathammaM.K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharL. Narayan RaoBased on the life story of a Sanskrit poet named Bilwamangal.Worldwide Gross : 15 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorEllis DunganStarsM.K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharSerukalathun SamaP.B. RangachariThe 2nd major South Indian historical. Set in the year 1083 A.D. it tells of the poet Kambar (Sama) who wrote the 'Kambaramayana' in Tamil at Karikala Chola's court. The film opens with the victorious return of Kulothunga Chola to the city of Woriur. There is a love story between the poet's son, Ambikapathy (Bhagavathar) and the Princess Amaravathy (Santhanalakshmi). However, class distinctions are maintained as the young lover fails the test of will imposed by the king as a precondition for the marriage.Worldwide Gross : 17.5 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorRaja Sandow P.K.StarsMiss PapaM.K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharS.S. RajamaniBased on the life history of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.Worldwide Gross : 20 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorBomman IraniStarsT.S. BalaiahP.U. ChinnappaP.S. GnanamThe love story of Kathavarayan and Aryamala.Worldwide Gross : 25 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorMurugadasaStarsDandapani DesikarSerukalathun SamaBased on Nandan, a low caste farmer's deep devotion towards Shiva.Worldwide Gross : 30 Lakhs (Pure Estimate)
- DirectorSundarrao NadkarniStarsM.K. Thyagaraja BhagavatharT.R. RajakumariN.C. VasanthakokilamThe story of this film revolves around Haridas, who changes a lot after being cheated by a courtesan and then realizes the true values of life.• The first Tamil film & also the first South Indian film to gross 50 Lakhs.
• Had a record theatrical run of 133 weeks.
Worldwide Gross : 50 Lakhs (Pure Estimate) - DirectorS.S. VasanStarsRajkumariM.K. RadhaRanjanTwo brothers fight with each other for their father's kingdom and also for marrying a dancer.• The first South Indian film to gross over 1 crore worldwide.
• Made on a budget of around 30 Lakhs, this film was the all time most expensive Indian film at that time.
• All time biggest box office hit in the history of the Tamil cinema.
Worldwide Gross : 1.65cr - DirectorYoganandStarsM.G. RamachandranT.S. BalaiahR. BalasubramanianVeeran loves Bommi, the daughter of a king. But the king decides not to get his daughter married to Veeran. So Veeran fights for his love.Worldwide Gross : 1.75cr
- DirectorM.G. RamachandranStarsM.G. RamachandranP.S. VeerappaM.N. NambiarA wanderer/revolutionary is a dead ringer for a monarch, and takes his place.Worldwide Gross : 1.85cr
- DirectorB. Ramakrishnaiah PanthuluStarsShivaji GanesanGemini GanesanPadminiWhen the British East India Company forces polygar Kattabomman to pay taxes, levies and be their subsidiary ruler, he openly defies their policy and battles them until his arrest and hanging.• The first Tamil film to gross over 2 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 2.25cr - DirectorTapi ChanakyaStarsSaroja Devi B.Pandari BaiNageshRamu is an innocent son of a rich landlord who is afraid of his brother-in-law Narendran and his whiplash. To escape from his punishments, Ramu leaves his house and his look-alike replaces him.• The first Tamil film to gross 2.5 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 2.5cr - DirectorK. ShankarStarsM.G. RamachandranJayalalitha JS.A. AshokanAn evil man kills Vengaiyan's father and enslaves all his people. Vengaiyan is ignorant and wild, but Jeeva helps him evolve into a valiant and wise man who then swears to right his people.Worldwide Gross : 2.6cr
- DirectorK.S. Prakash RaoStarsPandari BaiK. BalajiShivaji GanesanA woman must overcome a wealthy alcoholic's wicked family as she tries to help him turn his life around.Worldwide Gross : 2.75cr
- DirectorM.G. RamachandranStarsM.G. RamachandranS.A. AshokanLathaA genius scientist is abducted and his twin brother attempts to rescue him.• The first Tamil film to gross over 3 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 3.5cr - DirectorK. VijayanStarsShivaji GanesanJai GaneshM.N. NambiarTwo separated brothers need to fight against their father's vicious friends to reunite their father and mother to live happily together.• The first Tamil film to gross 4 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 4cr - DirectorS.P. MuthuramanStarsRajinikanthJaishankarRati AgnihotriKaaliyan and Jaishankar are like dictators in neighboring villages separately, but in contrast to Kaaliyan, Jaishankar is selfish and bad. Engagement of Jaishankar's sister with Kaaliyan triggers rivalry between the two villages.Worldwide Gross : 4.25cr
- DirectorS.P. MuthuramanStarsKamal HaasanAmbikaSilk SmithaVelusamy's sister is raped by the village head's son when the former refuses to abide by his dictatorship. Velusamy vows to seek revenge and get his sister married to her rapist.• The first Tamil film to gross 5 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 5cr - DirectorBhagyarajStarsBhagyarajUrvashiPoornima JayaramA woman finds a husband and tries to win his love through unconventional means.Worldwide Gross : 5.5cr
- DirectorRajasekarStarsRajinikanthAmbikaVijay BabuTwo brothers are ousted from their house by their stepbrother's wife. Years later, when one of the brothers is framed for a murder, his stepbrother, who is a judge, returns as a lawyer to save him.• The first Tamil film to gross 6 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 6cr - DirectorS.P. MuthuramanStarsDelhi GaneshJai GaneshKomal MahuvakarAfter returning from prison, Raja works as a social worker. But he makes many enemies who constantly try to plot against him.• The first Tamil film to gross over 7 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 7.75cr - DirectorSingeetam Srinivasa RaoStarsKamal HaasanNageshSrividyaAppu and Raja are twins who were separated at birth, grow up in different localities. Appu's quest for revenge begins upon learning that his father was killed by four criminals.• The first Tamil film to gross over 10 crore worldwide.
Worldwide Gross : 11.25cr