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The scene where Yogi Babu discovers that the family of the girl he likes is full of drug mules or the rules one has to keep in mind while 'kednapping'… there are a lot of unforgettable moments Tamil comedy films have presented to us in this past decade. There's little cheer elsewhere, so this list of 10 comedies may, perhaps, help narrow down your search for some comfort viewing.
Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Before All In Azhagu Raja and Mr Local was inflicted upon us, M Rajesh and his lieutenant Santhanam gave us some of our most hilarious comedies. Your favourite may be SMS (Siva Manasila Shakthi) or even OKOK (Oru Kal Oru Kannadi) but there's no denying the rewatchability of this story about two entrepreneurial goofballs and their lives in Kumbakonam.
Soodhu Kavvum (2013)
Where to watch: Zee 5
A lot of the love we still feel for Vijay Sethupathi is a result of his roaring performance as the heartbroken-widower-cum-expert-kednapper in this dark comedy. With an amazing ensemble cast, which includes excellent actors such as Ashok Selvan, Karunakaran, Bobby Simha and Ramesh Tilak, there's not a single dull moment in Nalan Kumarasamy's first film. We bet that you're humming 'Kasu, Panam, Thuttu, Money, Money' right now.
Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013)
Where to watch: Google Movies
Arguably THE movie that made Sivakarthikeyan everyone's 'namma veettu pillai' is this comedy about two loveable good-for-nothings with way too much time on their hands. With great songs by Imman, and Sathyaraj in a great role, this Ponram film still holds well and is perfect for a lazy Sunday watch with family.
Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015)
Where to watch: MX Player, Sun NXT
The second of the three Vijay Sethupathi films on this list, and an excellent entertainer, this crazy comedy helped us discover director Vignesh Shivan and his unique brand of dark humour. Set in Puducherry, and with some great music by Anirudh, one cannot forget its many great characters, such as 'Rahul thatha', who has become a gift that just keeps giving.
Aandavan Kattalai (2016)
Where to watch: Sony LIV, SunNXT
This is one of the best films of the last decade, but it's still severely underrated. This comedy of errors has everything going for it; the writing is smart, the characters are well etched-out and it has a slew of major LOL moments (remember the scene where Yogi Babu gets the UK visa?). Made by M Manikandan, the same person who made Kaaka Muttai, it's a sin if you still haven't found time for this. 'Karmeghakuzhali' will never sound the same to you.
Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran (2016)
Where to watch: Disney Hotstar
This is again one of those comedies where the characters and certain scenes have ended up more popular than the entire movie, which did well too. Even so, that great comedy scene where the forgetful MLA Jacket Janakiraman (Robo Shankar) tries to recollect where he hid his bounty is one that is not very easy to forget any time soon. Add the "Pushpa Purushan" joke to the mix, and that's enough to warrant a rewatch.
Kolamavu Kokila (2018)
Where to watch: ZEE5
Arguably the darkest of our dark comedies is this crime comedy starring Nayanthara, directed by first timer Nelson. If told differently, this could very well have been a hard hitting drama with a Breaking Bad-like aftertaste. But the director takes a very serious plot idea and turns it on its head to give us characters such as a hyper-active maapla who will do anything to marry the heroine's sister. Or, Yogi Babu's character who feels it's only a matter of time before Kokila (Nayanthara) falls head over heels in love with him.
Tamil Padam 2 (2018)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Strictly for people who are clued in enough into Tamil cinema, this spoof by CS Amudhan, is a sequel to his original Tamizh Padam, and takes on everything and everyone. From OPS to Saamy, from Game Of Thrones to Thevar Magan, to our star-propping masala film director. If trolling ever becomes a cinematic genre, this would be its 'Agila Ulaga' Superstar.
A1 (2019)
Where to watch: Sun NXT
A1 doesn't try to be anything more than a series of comic skits, but it does this so effectively and with such little pretence that one has to bow at the conviction with which it sells its absurdity. With a second hour set almost entirely during a funeral, every small thing in this Santhanam-starrer contributes to tense moments, before all that is released in the form of comedy.
Monster (2019)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
It's really a shame that a comedy like Monster, a loveable film with a cartoon-like charm, has become a once-in-a-decade event in our industry. It is about a man who uses up all his savings to buy a home just before he gets married. But when he's visited by an extremely destructive rat with an eating problem, we get Tom And Jerry, Charlie Chaplin and little bit of Home Alone, all in one delightful family movie.
Notable add-ons include Dharala Prabhu (Amazon Prime Video), Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara (Disney Hotstar), Neram (Sun NXT), Mundasupatti (Disney Hotstar), Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (Sun NXT), the second half of Jigarthanda (Disney Hotstar) and the first half of Kaashmora (Disney Hotstar).