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Thriller movies have a unique way of keeping audiences hooked, their hearts racing with excitement. Who doesn’t love a gripping thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats? Over the years, this genre has gained immense popularity, drawing a massive fanbase. The South Indian film industry has produced some of the most intense and suspenseful thriller films, captivating audiences with their brilliant storytelling and unexpected twists.
Here are the top 10 South Indian thriller films that will keep you hooked—and where you can watch them!
1. Drishyam (2013)
- Writer & Director: Jeethu Joseph
- Spoken Language: Malayalam
- IMDb Score: 8.3/10
- Duration: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
- Category: Crime Thriller
- Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, Siddique, Kalabhavan Shajon
- Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
“Drishyam” is one of Jeethu Joseph’s most iconic films, marking his first collaboration with Mohanlal, a pairing that quickly became a fan favorite. The gripping storyline follows Georgekutty, a movie enthusiast, whose family becomes the prime suspect when Varun Prabhakar, son of IG Geetha Prabhakar, mysteriously disappears. The film showcases how Georgekutty skillfully outwits the police to protect his family.
Upon its release, “Drishyam” received widespread acclaim and has since gained a cult following. Its immense popularity led to multiple remakes, including a Tamil version starring Kamal Haasan, a Hindi adaptation featuring Ajay Devgn, and versions in Sinhala, Chinese, Korean, and Indonesian.
2. Ugramm (2014)
- Writer & Director: Prashanth Neel
- Spoken Language: Kannada
- IMDb Score: 8.1/10
- Duration: 2 hours 11 minutes
- Category: Action-thriller
- Starring: Srimurali, Nithya, Tilak Shekar, Atul Kulkarni, Avinash
- Available on: Zee5
“Ugramm” marked the directorial debut of Prashanth Neel, who later became one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers. The film follows Agasthya and Nithya as they attempt to escape from Shivarudra Lingaiah in a town dominated by a powerful crime syndicate. As Agasthya gets entangled with this dangerous group, the story unfolds with high-intensity action and drama.
Bringing a fresh cinematic style to Kannada cinema, “Ugramm” was unlike anything seen before. In a recent interview, Prashanth Neel shared that his latest film, “Salaar,” starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is a reimagining of “Ugramm” on a much grander scale.
3. Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014)
- Writer & Director: Rakshit Shetty
- Spoken Language: Kannada
- IMDb Score: 8.4/10
- Duration: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Category: Gangster-thriller
- Starring: Rakshit Shetty, Kishore, Rishab Shetty, Tara, Yagna Shetty
- Available on: SunNXT
Rakshit Shetty made his directorial debut with “Ulidavaru Kandanthe,” a film that revolves around an investigative journalist uncovering the truth behind a murder case. Told in five chapters, the movie follows a Rashomon-style narrative, where the story is revealed through multiple characters’ perspectives.
Though it initially received mixed reviews, over the years, “Ulidavaru Kandanthe” has earned a cult following among film enthusiasts across India.
4. RangiTaranga (2015)
- Writer & Director: Anup Bhandari
- Spoken Language: Kannada
- IMDb Score: 8.3/10
- Duration: 2 hours 29 minutes
- Category: Mystery-thriller
- Starring: Nirup Bhandari, Radhika Chetan, Avantika Shetty, Shilpa Singh, Pramod Shetty
- Available on: SunNXT
“RangiTaranga” is among the most acclaimed Kannada thrillers. The film follows Indu and Gautham, a couple who visit Indu’s ancestral home to perform a ritual. However, their journey takes a sinister turn when Indu mysteriously disappears. Determined to find her, Gautham joins forces with journalist Sandhya, uncovering a series of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
With its gripping storyline and suspenseful narrative, “RangiTaranga” captivated audiences and received widespread praise from both fans and critics, earning a loyal fanbase over time.
5. Visaranai (2015)
- Writer & Director: Vetrimaaran
- Spoken Language: Tamil
- IMDb Score: 8.5/10
- Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes
- Category: Crime-thriller-drama
- Starring: Attakathi Dinesh, Murugadoss, Samuthirakani, Kishore, Ajay Ghosh, Anandhi
- Available on: Netflix
“Visaranai,” directed by Vetrimaaran, is inspired by M. Chandrakumar’s novel “Lock Up.” The film depicts the gripping tale of two men who are falsely imprisoned and subjected to brutal torture to coerce a false confession.
Upon its release, “Visaranai” earned widespread acclaim for its hard-hitting narrative and powerful performances. It was also selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 89th Academy Awards.
6. Goodachari (2018)
- Writer & Director: Sashi Kiran Tikka
- Spoken Language: Telugu
- IMDb Score: 7.8/10
- Duration: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Category: Spy-action-thriller
- Starring: Adivi Sesh, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Vennela Kishore, Anish Kuruvila
- Available on: Amazon Prime Video
“Goodachari” stands out as one of the most acclaimed Telugu thriller films of all time. The story revolves around Gopi, a young man with dreams of serving his nation by joining the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he is framed in a terrorist conspiracy and falsely accused of murdering two RAW officers on his graduation day.
Labelled a traitor, Gopi must now fight to clear his name and expose those behind the setup. The film received widespread appreciation upon its release, and a sequel is currently in the works.
7. Ratsasan (2018)
- Writer & Director: Ram Kumar
- Spoken Language: Tamil
- IMDb Score: 8.3/10
- Duration: 2 hours 32 minutes
- Category: Psychological horror-thriller
- Starring: Vishnu Vishal, Amala Paul, Saravanan, Ramdoss, Vinodhini Vaidhyanathan
- Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
“Ratsasan” (2018) is a psychological thriller infused with elements of horror. The gripping storyline revolves around a serial killer who preys on teenage girls, triggering a high-stakes police investigation to track down the murderer.
With its intense narrative and nail-biting suspense, the film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. It is widely regarded as one of Vishnu Vishal’s most outstanding performances.
8. Evaru (2019)
- Writer & Director: Venkat Ramji
- Spoken Language: Telugu
- IMDb Score: 8.1/10
- Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes
- Category: Crime-thriller
- Starring: Adivi Sesh, Naveen Chandra, Regina Cassandra, Murali Sharma, Pavitra Lokesh
- Available on: Amazon Prime Video
“Evaru,” directed by Venkat Ramji, is regarded as one of the finest crime thrillers. The film follows a corrupt cop assigned to what seems like a straightforward case—a woman accused of killing her attacker in self-defence. However, as the investigation deepens, shocking secrets unravel, revealing a complex and layered mystery. With its gripping narrative and unexpected twists, the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
9. Viduthalai Part 1 (2023)
- Writer & Director: Vetrimaaran
- Spoken Language: Tamil
- IMDb Score: 8.3/10
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: period-crime-thriller
- Starring: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu
- Available on: Zee5
“Viduthalai Part 1,” directed by Vetrimaaran, is a period crime thriller set in 1987. The film delves into the intense clash between the police force and an extremist group, Makkal Padai. Upon its release, it garnered immense appreciation, especially for the powerful performances of Gautham Vasudev Menon and Soori. The highly anticipated second instalment is set to hit theatres in the summer of 2024.
10. Kannur Squad (2023)
- Writer & Director: Roby Varghese Raj
- Spoken Language: Malayalam
- IMDb Score: 7.8/10
- Duration: 2 hours 41 minutes
- Category: Crime-thriller
- Starring: Mammootty, Shabareesh Varma, Rony David Raj, Kishore, Azees Nedumangad
- Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
“Kannur Squad,” the directorial debut of cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj, is based on real-life events. The film follows a team of police officers as they embark on a high-stakes investigation into a sensitive murder case. Their journey forms the heart of the narrative, filled with suspense and intensity. “Kannur Squad” received both critical acclaim and commercial success, with particular praise for its stellar performances, gripping cinematography, and well-paced storytelling.
Conclusion
South Indian cinema has delivered some of the most thrilling and unforgettable films, each packed with unique narratives, intense suspense, and stellar performances. These top 10 South Indian thrillers highlight the industry’s creativity and versatility, keeping viewers hooked till the end and leaving a lasting impression. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just exploring the genre, these films are a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a gripping thriller.
