2010 : Rajnikant's 'Robot' pips Bollywood blockbusters
The Tamil film industry also witnessed almost every other member of DMK's first family headed by M Karunanidhi make the 'Kollywood' splash, either in production or acting.
The year also saw actress Khushboo, who overcame a legal battle concerning her remarks on pre-marital sex, joining DMK.
The Shankar directed 'Endhiran' (Robot), three years in the making, was a box-office hit easily piping the Bollywood blockbusters of the year.
The trilingual film, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Rajnikant's love, received good opening as producer Kalanidhi Maran of the Sun TV Group ensured it went global.
The superstar of Tamil cinema, Rajnikant, enjoyed professional success with his movie going on to become a blockbuster. On the personal front, his younger daughter, Soundarya, got married to Chennai-based businessman Ashwin.
The actor stayed away from any political controversy unlike in the past when his comments on inter-state issues such as the Hogenakkal row had threatened his films' releases in Karnataka, his home state.
Kamal Haasan rounded off the year with 'Manmadhan Ambu' which saw actress Trisha paired opposite him. Trisha had earned accolades for her role as Jessy in 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya'.
Haasan courted controversy when some Hindu outfits reportedly expressed opposition to certain verses in a song penned by him in Manmadhan Ambu. The actor gave in to pressure and removed the verses for the film produced by Karunanidhi's grandson Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The producers of both these high-profile ventures chose to go overseas for their music launch. Endhiran's audio launch was by itself a gala event with the producers choosing Malaysia for the event while Kamal and crew went to Singapore.
The Sri Lankan Tamils issue had its repercussions on Indian film industry's unity when some leading star including brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan and family stayed away from the IIFA event in Colombo even as Salman Khan chose to attend.
