(2009) – A stylish smuggling thriller that was the highest grossing film of its year.

The early 2000s was undeniably dominated by the "Big Two": Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Their films were events that transcended mere movie releases.

The decade kicked off with a mix of soulful romance and gritty realism. Alaipayuthey (2000) redefined modern romance, while Kamal Haasan’s (2000) pushed the boundaries of historical narrative. Key Films : Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) – A sprawling musical drama.

This era saw the emergence of "mass" action films that turned actors like , Ajith , and Vikram into superstars. Defining Commercial Hits : (2003) &

(2008) – Director: Sasikumar

(2004) – Director: Kamal Haasan