The prevalent misperception among moviegoers around the world is that Bollywood is synonymous with Indian movies. However, the Indian film industry is a broad word that encompasses Hindi films, regional films, and art films. India produces more than 1500 films every year in various languages, making it the world’s largest filmmaking nation. Netflix, which has 125 million customers in 190 countries, arrived in India late, in January 2016. When it happened, the in-house curators were as bewildered as the non-Indian moviegoers who were seeing the cinematic universe of the world’s second-most populous nation.
Netflix, which is competing against Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, and Voot, took its time to compile a list of some of the top films from significant regional cinema industries like as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali. Other streaming companies are considerably ahead of Netflix in terms of regional programming, but Netflix is still catching up. However, the world’s most popular streaming site has compiled a list of some of the best regional films.
Tamil Cinema, also known as Kollywood, is based on Chennai, the capital city of Tamil heartland, and has a large following across the country as well as among the Tamil diaspora in the United States, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan, the Middle East, parts of Africa, Oceania, and Europe. So, with that said, here’s a list of some of the best Tamil movies on Netflix that you can watch right now.
BEST TAMIL MOVIES ON NETFLIX RIGHT NOW
Anjaan (2014)
‘Anjaan,’ set in Mumbai’s back alleyways, follows a crippled man named Krishna as he travels all the way to the city in search of his brother, Raju Bhai. Krishna discovers that Raju Bhai was a daredevil gangster after his brother goes missing under suspicious circumstances. To add to the chaos, there are still those out there plotting to kill Raju Bhai. Krishna now has to figure out if there’s a link between his brother’s disappearance and the notorious don Imran Bhai, as well as protect himself from machetes and weapons that mistake him for his criminal brother. ‘Anjaan,’ directed by N. Linguswamy, stars Suriya, Tamil cinema’s heartthrob, in dual roles as Krishna and Raju Bhai.
Goli Soda 2 (2018)
‘Goli Soda 2’ is a sequel to Vijay Milton’s successful film ‘Goli Soda,’ which was released in 2015. The sequel, unlike ‘Goli Soda,’ garnered mixed reviews. ‘Goli Soda,’ a low-budget film, was one of 2015’s hits. The film received acclaim for its spectacular depiction of society’s class relations, which was told primarily through debutante performers. ‘Goli Soda 2’, like its predecessor, seeks to paint a picture of society’s class divide via the lives of four young people from various social strata. Class stereotypes have shattered their hopes of making it big in the world. The film explores the serious identity dilemma that young people from poor backgrounds face as they try to find their place in modern Indian culture.
Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (2020)
The video is entertaining to watch since it tells the narrative of two buddies who deceive people by posing as software developers and their misfortunes as they search for love. All four actors in the film have been given adequate screen time, which adds to the picture’s uniqueness. Desingh Periyasamy, a well-received debutante director, shot ‘Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal’ in Delhi, Goa, and Chennai. The entertainer does not come across as preachy, and it does not hold any of the characters responsible for their actions. However, via this amusing yet full-of-twists novel, it does leave us with some “life lessons.”
Kabali (2016)
Rajinikanth, one of India’s biggest superstars, plays Kabaleeswaran, the eponymous character in ‘Kabali.’ Set in Kuala Lumpur’s Tamil diaspora, ‘Kabali’ depicts the ethnic tensions and social hierarchy inside the gang conflict between Kabali and Tony Lee, who is played by Winston Chao, a local kingpin. Kabali is portrayed as a revolutionary who battles for Malaysian Tamils’ rights. His foes, on the other hand, band together to put him behind bars on false charges.
When Kabali returns from prison, the film transforms into a revenge story as he seeks vengeance on all those who were engaged in a horrible conspiracy that destroyed his family. With bullets blazing and unidentified dead bodies, an angry Kabali waged a personal and ideological war on his opponents at the same time. ‘Kabali’ received great reviews for its balanced storytelling and scorching political wrath against modern-day racial devils.
Mugamoodi (2012)
Kollywood’s first effort into the superhero genre is ‘Mugamoodi.’ ‘Mugamoodi’ is a one-of-a-kind film in Indian regional cinema, written and directed by Mysskin, who has been recognized as a cult filmmaker in Tamil cinema. The film depicts the life of Anand, a simpleton who is fed up with society’s injustice and corruption. Anand, a martial arts expert, uses his Kung fu skills and a mask to raise a vigilante known as ‘Mugamoodi.’
In the meantime, he develops feelings for Police Commissioner Gaurav’s daughter and attempts to impress her with his martial arts prowess. When Gaurav’s father, Angusamy, a.k.a. Dragon, and his marauding gang, Mugamoodi, screw up with the Kung fu master-turned-local don, Angusamy, a.k.a. Dragon, he gets the fiercest nemesis of his life. Now he must save his love and his own life from the dragon’s cruel trickery. The film is dedicated to the renowned Bruce Lee and features lightning Kung fu action sequences.
Mersal (2017)
‘Mersal,’ written and directed by Atlee Kumar, stars Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s top stars, as Maaran, a doctor who wages war on corruption in the healthcare industry. Maran realizes that the real culprit is a doppelganger after he is erroneously accused for the death of his colleague, Dr. Arjun Zachariah. Maaran investigates the case further and discovers that the true perpetrator of the murders is a magician named Vetri. When Maaran and Vetri discover they are estranged twin brothers, the intrigue thickens. Both the doctor and the magician create an amazing sibling agreement to combine their talents in order to find the culprit who murdered their legendary father. ‘Mersal’ combines the thrills and excitement of a revenge story with catchy songs to please Vijay’s ardent followers. Last year, the film was also one of the highest-grossing Tamil films.
Mehandi Circus (2019)
When two people fall in love, it’s not just about them; their love story has the ability to destroy lives because of social ramifications. Caste inequalities and jealousy contaminate Mehandi’s (Shweta Tripathi) and Jeeva’s (Madhampatty Rangaraj) narrative. Saravana Rajendran’s directorial debut, ‘Mehandi Circus,’ is set in the 1990s. He revives the vanishing circus art form, of which Mehandi is a part. Jeeva is the proprietor of a music store in Kodaikanal, where Mehandi’s circus company performs. The circus troupe used in the film is Gujarat’s Kamala Circus. The film’s color scheme enhances the beauty of the settings while also conveying a sense of nostalgia.
‘Mr. Chandramouli’ is a film about a gifted boxer and his father. Gautham Karthik plays Raghav, a boxer who dreams of making it famous in the ring. He hopes to land a lucrative sponsorship agreement. Raghav is supported in his dream trip by his loving and carefree father Chandramouli, played by Karthik. However, the father-son combination becomes entangled in the wicked scheme of a greedy business magnate. According to the businessman’s plan, Chandramouli and Raghav’s love interest, Madhu, played by Regina Cassandra, are killed. Raghav is now on a mission to find the true mastermind behind the murders, even if it means giving up his boxing career.
Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018)
‘Merku Thodarchi Malai,’ directed by Lenin Bharathi and produced by Vijay Sethupathi, tells the story of Rangasamy (Antony), a daily wage laborer who dreams of owning a piece of land and living off farming. This critically praised picture has screened at numerous film festivals and won numerous prizes. The soundtrack of the great Ilaiyaraaja adds to the film’s charm.
The title of the film, which translates to “Western Ghats,” is a story about the harsh realities of landless laborers. It vividly depicts the numerous problems that surround land ownership, whether between man and nature, between individuals of different classes, or between corporate and indigenous groups. The film is notable for the fact that ninety percent of the actors are from the villages depicted in the film; Lenin himself is from one of those areas. In an interview with The Wire, Lenin reveals that his mother worked as a farm laborer and that his father was a Communist.
Metro (2016)
‘Metro,’ directed by Ananda Krishnan, stars Bobby Simha, Shirish Saravanan, and Sendrayan in an action crime thriller. The picture contains a lot of violence, but the filmmaker refused to filter it because he didn’t want to. This gruesome picture is not for those expecting for typical action. The film is about chain snatching, which is one of the most common crimes in Indian cities. The film’s plot takes viewers into the underbelly of chain snatching as well as the devastating effects it has on a family. Arivu (Shirish) is a journalist who decides to take down a chain-snatching gang, despite the fact that he will have to fight his own brother in the process.
Nibunan (2017)
The action thriller ‘Nibunan,’ which means “expert,” will keep you on the edge of your seat. Arjun, Prasanna, Vaibhav, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Sruthi Hariharan star in the film, which is directed by Arun Vaidyanathan. ‘Nibunan’ was well received by critics and the audience. A cop and two of his subordinates are on a mission to find a serial killer who is meticulous and crazy. The central plot of the film is based on a double murder case that occurred in Noida in 2008. They learn some awful secrets on this terrifying voyage, all while the officer battles Parkinson’s illness. Another story of a cop taking the law into his own hands; this one requires the viewers’ discretion.
This film is well appreciated for its photography, acting, and forceful direction, and is set wonderfully at night against an urban environment. The lack of dialogue between the characters says a lot more than what is said. It gently highlights socioeconomic disparities as well as male entitlement. ‘Nila,’ directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, tells the story of a cab driver who unexpectedly runs into a boyhood buddy who is a passenger in his cab. The narrative plays with the boundaries of love, lust, friendship, and adulthood. Selvaraj was inspired to make this film because of the “compelling” storyline and environment. “Atmospheric,” he says of the film.
Petta (2019)
Rajinikanth, a South Indian superstar with international acclaim, starring in this action-packed film. ‘Petta’ tells the story of an old man who is hired as a hostel warden and encounters a rowdy group of kids with ties to the underworld. The plot then shifts to Petta’s history, revealing his purpose for doing what he does. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the emerging star of Indian cinema, plays Singaaram in the film. Siddiqui, like Rajinikanth, is quickly acquiring international acclaim, with well-known critics praising his raw and convincing performances. Rajinikanth’s films are a genre unto itself, and if you enjoy them, you will find ‘Petta’ to be incredibly enjoyable.
Puriyaatha Puthir (2017)
‘Puriyaatha Puthir’ is a suspenseful psychological thriller starring Vijay Sethupathi in the major role. The film follows Vijay Sethupathi’s Kathir, a music director located in Chennai, and is directed by Ranjit Jeyakodi. When Kathir encounters Meera, a beautiful music instructor, he is overwhelmed with love at first sight. They begin an affair that quickly devolves into a vortex of cybercrime.
Kathir begins to receive Meera’s intimate photos and images from an anonymous source all of a sudden. When Kathir’s friends and Meera become the subjects of viral images and videos, Kathir must track out the perpetrators. ‘Puriyaatha Puthir’ includes a spectacular performance from Vijay Sethupathi and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for the most of the running period.
Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019)
Musicals have a long history in Tamil cinema, and the 2019 film ‘Sarvam Thaala Mayam’ is the most recent addition. The film was written and directed by acclaimed cinematographer Rajiv Menon, and it was also distributed in some countries as ‘Madras Beats.’ The musical drama depicts the chain of events that occur when the worlds of legendary Mridangam maestro Vembu Iyer (played by veteran actor Nedumudi Venu), an excellent Mridangam maker Johnson (played by Kumaravel), and his son Peter Johnson (played by G. V. Prakash Kumar) intersect. Peter is a huge fan of Vijay, the Tamil film superstar, and an aspiring mridangam player. The film received favorable reviews for its rhythm and nuanced portrayal of the still-existing regressive caste structure. AR Rahman, an Academy Award-winning composer, composed the original and background scores for the film.
Spyder (2017)
‘Spyder,’ another AR Murugadoss film, was shot in Tamil and Telugu at the same time. Mahesh Babu, the Telugu superstar, plays the protagonist in both versions. Sudalai, Heath Ledger’s Joker-like maniacal adversary, is likewise a surprise characterisation of filmmaker SJ Surya in ‘Spyder.’ Mahesh Babu plays a cunning intelligence officer who gets caught up in the villain’s murderous ploy. Before the crazed serial killer Sudalai unleashes evil, he must defend the city and its defenseless residents from imminent threat. Sudalai enjoys hearing people’s screams of pain and misery, so he devises a treacherous plan to create his death opera. The ensuing cat and mouse game reveals both the cop’s and the villain’s inner demons.
Solo (2017)
‘Solo,’ a bilingual film directed by Bejoy Nambiar, is a four-part anthology in which Dulquer Salman plays four different personalities. The film has an intriguing plot structure centered on the four elements of nature — Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water — each told through the eyes of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. Each segment begins with a small illustration of Shiva and a poem about one of the four components. The film, which was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Malayalam and was intended to capitalize on Dulquer Salman’s massive fan base as an enraged young man, received mixed reviews upon its release.
Super Deluxe (2019)
Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s strange and distinctive film mixes four stories together. Kumararaja’s film was made after an eight-year hiatus from his previous production and was favorably appreciated by reviewers and audiences alike. The four stories follow characters as they navigate life’s ups and downs while pondering on faith, love, acceptance, and personal beliefs. In addition to the very strong performances by the actors, the fact that the film does not impose any judgments on the characters is widely praised. This is the director’s second film, and it has already made a splash in Tamil cinema. The picture is technically sound, and cinematographers P.S. Vinod and Nirav Shah have been praised for their work.
Sila Samayangalil (2016)
This film, sometimes known as ‘Sometimes,’ tells the narrative of seven strangers who travel to a clinic to get tested for AIDS and their fear when one of them is infected. It is in our nature to be interested and to fantasize about alternative realities. As each of the characters tells their narrative through talks varied in-depth, we start to identify with the characters and what they are going through. The film also addresses the stigma associated with AIDS and how it affects people regardless of whether they are infected or not. This is demonstrated deftly by the characters’ lack of inhibitions in judging one another, despite the fact that they are all standing in the same place. Because the entire film is place in a clinic waiting room, the power of the storytelling and the representation of the individuals carry the film on their shoulders.
Taramani (2017)
Taramani takes us on a journey through the darkest parts of people’s lives as they discover their best selves. When no one is looking, what circumstances compel us to be causes us to think on who we are and who we want to be. Love, attachment, sexuality, blackmail, possessiveness, forgiveness, and integrity are all explored in this story. The film, directed by Ram, stars Vasanth Ravi in the lead role, alongside Andrea Jeremiah and Adrian Knight Jesly. The principal performers’ performances were praised, although Ram’s voiceovers were criticized as being “preachy.” Even in a city like Chennai, though, it gives us a rather realistic picture of people’s “conservative” worldview.
