If actor have been increasing their salaries over the years, so have directors in Kollywood. TOI takes a look at some of the top directors here and the pay packets they allegedly receive today...

Top Kollywood directors

SHANKAR - 15 CR
Blockbusters: Indian, Mudhalvan, Sivaji, Endhiran, Gentleman
Current Project: I
Bollywood: Nayak
Remakes: 3 idiots in Tamil as Nanban but is not in favour of remakes
Talking points: High hit rate; prefers vigilante genre; repeats actors in projects; award-winning producer; most successful
Kollywood director today


A R MURUGADOSS - 12 CR
Blockbusters: Ghajini (in Hindi and Tamil), Thuppakki
Current Project: Remake of Thuppakki in Hindi
Bollywood: Ghajini and Thuppakki remakes
Remakes: Likes them so as to repeat success
Talking points: 100 crore grossing films in Tamil and Hindi; prefers new actors for every project; successful producer


MANI RATNAM - 5 CR*
Blockbusters: Roja, Alaipayuthey, Mouna Ragam, Agni Nakshatiram, Naayagan
Current Project: Kadal (just released); Reviving Lajjo (Hindi)
Bollywood: Dil Se.., Yuva, Guru, Raavan
Remakes: None
Talking points: Adapts from mythology; repeats actors; works on own productions; does diverse genres having a social theme


K V ANAND - 5 CR
Blockbusters: Ayan, Ko
Current Project: Still in talks; rumours say Rajini project next
Bollywood: Has worked as cinematographer
Remakes: None
Talking points: Won many awards as cinematographer; 50% hit rate; Suriya is a favourite hero


BALA - 5 CR
Blockbusters: Sethu, Pithamagan
Current Project: Paradesi (just released)
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: None
Talking points: Award-winning director; critically acclaimed; focuses on downtrodden; can be controversial; repeats actors; strict working methods; said to have brought in new wave in Tamil cinema


SELVARAGHAVAN - 4 CR
Blockbusters: Kadhal Kondein
Current project: Irandaam Ulagam
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: None
Talking points: Maverick director; also writer, singer and lyricist; some films critically acclaimed; works on unusual subjects


GAUTHAM MENON - 4 CR
Blockbusters: Kaakha Kaakha, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Vaaranam Aayiram
Current project: Working on a script for Suriya
Bollywood: Directed two films; Both failed
Remakes: Bilingual
Talking points: Critically acclaimed and award-winning director; unsuccessful as a producer; romance is his forte; favourite actor Suriya; currently in financial legal tangle


LINGUSAMY - 4 CR
Blockbusters: Run, Sandakozhi
Current project: Working on a script for Suriya
Bollywood: Sold remake rights of Paiyaa and Vettai
Remakes: None
Talking points: Focuses on action and family entertainers; successful as a producer; gives opportunities to fresh talent as a producer


K S RAVIKUMAR - 4 CR
Blockbusters: Dasavatharam, Padayappa, Muthu, Nattamai, Cheran Pandiyan
Current projects: Policegiri, Kochadaiyaan (script)
Bollywood: Policegiri
Remakes: Remaking Saamy as Policegiri; many of his films have been remade in other south Indian languages and in Hindi
Talking points: Regarded as a safe bet at the BO; prefers commercial entertainers; is known for completing films at brisk speed; is the go-to guy for Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan


HARI - 4 CR
Blockbusters: Saamy, Singam, Aaru
Current project: Singam II
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: None
Talking points: Known for racy action entertainers; sets his stories in one distinct city/town; his films do well in B and C centres; has a penchant for working with top stars


VENKAT PRABHU - 3 CR
Blockbusters: Chennai 28, Mankatha
Current project: Biriyani
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: None
Talking points: Focuses on youth subjects; comedy is his forte; repeats his friends and brother in all his films


VIJAY - 3 CR
Blockbusters: Kireedom, Madarassapattinam
Current project: Thalaivaa
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: Does work on remakes
Talking points: Does diverse genres; romance is integral to script; Vikram and Anushka favourites


RAJESH - 3 CR
Blockbusters: Boss Engira Baskaran, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi
Current project: All In All Azhagu Raja
Bollywood: No projects
Remakes: None
Talking points: Simple subjects with focus on comedy; Santhanam favourite; every movie of his has a cameo appearance by an actor