Top 10 South Indian thriller films

Everyone enjoys a good thriller. Here are the top 10 South Indian thriller films that will keep fans on the edge.

Who doesn’t love a good thriller? A film that keeps fans on the edge of their seats with their hearts racing. Over the years, thrillers have become a favorite genre with a huge fanbase. The South Indian film industry has produced many such gripping thrillers. Here are the top 10 South Indian thriller films and where you can watch them.

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1. Drishyam (2013)

• Writer-Director: Jeethu Joseph

• Language: Malayalam

• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

• Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes

• Genre: Crime-thriller

• Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sharath, Siddique, Kalabhavan Shajon,

• Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

“Drishyam” is one of Jeethu Joseph’s most famous films and marked his first collaboration with Mohanlal, a duo that quickly won over fans. The story follows Georgekutty, a movie enthusiast whose family comes under suspicion when Varun Prabhakar, the son of IG Geetha Prabhakar, goes missing. The film’s plot centers on how Georgekutty navigates the situation and outsmarts the police. “Drishyam” was highly acclaimed upon its release and still enjoys a cult following. The movie was remade in several languages, including Tamil with Kamal Haasan, Hindi with Ajay Devgn, Sinhala, Chinese, Korean, and Indonesian.

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2. Ugramm (2014)

• Writer-Director: Prashanth Neel

• Language: Kannada

• IMDb rating: 8.1/10

• Running time: 2 hours 11 minutes

• Genre: Action-thriller

• Cast: Srimurali, Nithya, Tilak Shekar, Atul Kulkarni, Avinash 

• Where to watch: Zee5

“Ugramm” marked the debut of Prashanth Neel, who would soon become one of India’s most renowned filmmakers. The movie tells the story of Agasthya and Nithya as they try to escape from Shivarudra Lingaiah. Set in a fictional town controlled by a crime syndicate, the film explores how Agasthya becomes entangled with this dangerous group. “Ugramm” introduced a new style of filmmaking to Kannada cinema, unlike anything seen before. In a recent interview, Prashanth Neel revealed that his latest film, “Salaar,” starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is a reimagining of “Ugramm” on a much larger scale.

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3. Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014)

• Writer-Director: Rakshit Shetty

• Language: Kannada

• IMDb rating: 8.4/10

• Running time: 2 hours 34 minutes

• Genre: Gangster-thriller

• Cast: Rakshit Shetty, Kishore, Rishab Shetty, Tara, Yagna Shetty

• Where to watch: SunNXT

Rakshit Shetty made his directorial debut with “Ulidavaru Kandanthe,” a film that follows an investigative journalist looking into a murder. The movie is divided into five chapters and uses a Rashomon-style narrative, where the story unfolds through different characters’ perspectives. While it received mixed reviews initially, over time, “Ulidavaru Kandanthe” has gained a cult following among film enthusiasts across the country.

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4. RangiTaranga (2015)

• Writer-Director: Anup Bhandari

• Language: Kannada

• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

• Running time: 2 hours 29 minutes

• Genre: Mystery-thriller

• Cast: Nirup Bhandari, Radhika Chetan, Avantika Shetty, Shilpa Singh, Pramod Shetty

• Where to watch: SunNXT

“RangiTaranga” is one of the most popular Kannada thrillers. The film follows the story of a couple, Indu and Gautham, who perform a ritual at Indu’s ancestral home. However, things take a dark turn when Indu goes missing. Gautham teams up with a reporter named Sandhya to find his wife. The movie is full of twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. “RangiTaranga” was widely praised by fans and critics and has gained a dedicated fan following.

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5. Visaranai (2015)

• Writer-Director: Vetrimaaran

• Language: Tamil

• IMDb rating: 8.5/10

• Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes

• Genre: Crime-thriller-drama

• Cast: Attakathi Dinesh, Murugadoss, Samuthirakani, Kishore, Ajay Ghosh, Anandhi

• Where to watch: Netflix

Vetrimaaran wrote and directed “Visaranai,” based on M. Chandrakumar’s novel Lock Up. The film tells the story of two men who are wrongfully imprisoned and tortured to force a confession. Upon its release, “Visaranai” received widespread praise and was even chosen as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 89th Academy Awards.

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6. Goodachari (2018)

• Writer-Director: Sashi Kiran Tikka

• Language: Telugu

• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

• Running time: 2 hours 27 minutes

• Genre: Spy-action-thriller

• Cast: Adivi Sesh, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Vennela Kishore, Anish Kuruvila

• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

“Goodachari” is one of the most popular Telugu thriller films ever. The story follows Gopi, who dreams of serving his country by joining the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). However, his life takes a drastic turn when he becomes the target of a terrorist plot and is falsely accused of killing two RAW officials on his graduation day. Branded a terrorist, Gopi must now clear his name and uncover those responsible for framing him. The film was highly praised upon its release, and a sequel is currently in development.

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7. Ratsasan (2018)

• Writer-Director: Ram Kumar

• Language: Tamil

• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

• Running time: 2 hours 32 minutes

• Genre: Psychological horror-thriller

• Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Amala Paul, Saravanan, Ramdoss, Vinodhini Vaidhyanathan

• Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

“Ratsasan” is a 2018 psychological thriller with elements of horror. The film centers on a serial killer who targets teenage girls. The story follows the police as they engage in a tense and intense pursuit to catch the killer. The gripping plot keeps everyone on the edge of their seats, and the film is regarded as one of Vishnu Vishal’s best performances.

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8. Evaru (2019)

• Writer-Director: Venkat Ramji

• Language: Telugu

• IMDb rating: 8.1/10

• Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes

• Genre: Crime-thriller

• Cast: Adivi Sesh, Naveen Chandra, Regina Cassandra, Murali Sharma, Pavitra Lokesh

• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

“Evaru,” directed by Venkat Ramji, is considered one of the best crime thrillers. The story follows a corrupt cop who investigates what appears to be a straightforward case of a woman killing her attacker. However, as the investigation unfolds, hidden layers and a complex backstory emerge, providing a thrilling and suspenseful experience for the audience.

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9. Viduthalai Part 1 (2023)

• Writer-Director: Vetrimaaran

• Language: Tamil

• IMDb rating: 8.3/10

• Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Genre: period-crime-thriller

• Cast: Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu

• Where to watch: Zee5

“Viduthalai Part 1,” directed by Vetrimaaran, is a period crime thriller set in 1987. The story focuses on the conflict between the police and an extremist group called Makkal Padai. Upon its release, the film received widespread praise, particularly for the performances of Gautham Vasudev Menon and Soori. The film’s second part is expected to be released in the summer of 2024.

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10. Kannur Squad (2023)

• Writer-Director: Roby Varghese Raj

• Language: Malayalam

• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

• Running time: 2 hours 41 minutes

• Genre: Crime-thriller

• Cast: Mammootty, Shabareesh Varma, Rony David Raj, Kishore, Azees Nedumangad

• Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

“Kannur Squad,” cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj’s directorial debut, is inspired by real events. The film follows a group of police officers as they investigate a sensitive murder case, with their journey forming the core of the story. “Kannur Squad was praised both critically and commercially, with special recognition given to the performances, cinematography, and pacing.

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Conclusion

South Indian cinema has produced some of the most gripping and unforgettable thriller films, each offering unique storylines, intense suspense, and brilliant performances. These top 10 South Indian thrillers showcase the industry’s diversity and creativity, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and leaving a lasting impact. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, these films are a must-watch for anyone who loves a good thriller.

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