South Indian cinema continues to deliver groundbreaking films that blend captivating storytelling with stellar performances. Here’s a list of 12 must watch South Indian movies from 2024, covering a variety of genres and featuring some of the biggest stars in the industry.
1. Kalki 2898 AD
Director: Nag Ashwin
Cast: Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan
Set in a dystopian future, this science-fiction epic follows a hero’s journey to restore hope in a world consumed by darkness and chaos. With stunning visuals and an ensemble cast, the film promises to be a game-changer in Indian cinema.
2. Hanu-Man
Director: Prasanth Varma
Cast: Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer
India’s first superhero film rooted in mythology, Hanu-Man follows the story of a young man who gains divine powers to protect his village from an ancient evil. The film’s visual effects and mythological themes have garnered much anticipation.
3. Captain Miller
Director: Arun Matheswaran
Cast: Dhanush, Priyanka Mohan, Sundeep Kishan
This period-action drama is set during British colonial rule and follows Captain Miller, a rebellious warrior fighting for justice and freedom. Dhanush’s transformation and high-octane action sequences are major highlights.
4. Maharaja
Director: Nithilan Saminathan
Cast: Vijay Sethupati, Mamta Mohandas, Anurag Kashyap
It’s a gripping tale of a person whose house is robbed and he tells police that “Lakshmi” is missing but doesn’t clear the air regarding whether Lakshmi is a person or an object.
5. Aavesham
Director: Jithu Madhavan
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Pooja Mohanraj
It is a story of three boys who come to Bengaluru for education but their lives get messed up because of a fight and then a local gangster helps them.
6. Manjummel Boys
Director: Chidambaram S. Poduval
Cast: Sreenath Bhasi, Deepak Parambol
This is a story of a group of boys whose adventure took a dangerous turn when one of them enters the Guna cave and then their unity is also checked at each step in their fight for survival.
7. Premalu
Director: Girish A.D
Cast: Naslen Gafoor, Mamitha Baiju
A romantic-comedy which explores the complexities of love and second chances, Premalu brings two star-crossed lovers together after a series of misunderstandings and heartbreak. The chemistry between the leads is its biggest draw.
8. Ayalaan
Director: R. Ravikumar
Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh
Ayalaan is a sci-fi adventure about a man who befriends an alien and fights to save Earth from an impending threat. Packed with humour, action and stunning VFX, it’s a treat for sci-fi fans.
9. Guntur Kaaram
Director: Trivikram Srinivas
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Pooja Hegde, Sreeleela
An action-packed entertainer, Guntur Kaaram follows the journey of a fearless man who takes on powerful enemies to protect his loved ones. Mahesh Babu’s charismatic performance and Trivikram’s storytelling are major attractions.
10. Aadujeevitham
Director: Blessy
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amala Paul
Based on the acclaimed novel, this survival drama tells the harrowing story of a migrant worker stranded in the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Prithviraj’s physical transformation and emotional performance anchor this heart-wrenching tale.
11. Lucky Bhaskar
Director: Venky Atluri
Cast: Dulquer Salman, Meenakshi Chaudhary
This is the story of a cash strapped bank cashier whose life got entangled because of a risky investment scheme which ultimately ends him in dark world of money laundering.
12. Pushpa 2: The Rule
Director: Sukumar
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil
The movie continues with the clash of sandalwood smuggler Pushpa and SP Bhanwar Singh. The movie is bigger and better than the first part, Pushpa: The Rise and it has broken many records at the box-office.
These 12 films highlight the diversity and innovation in South Indian cinema, showcasing everything from epic sci-fi adventures to intimate dramas. Each movie is a testament to the region’s storytelling prowess and is bound to leave a lasting impression on the audiences worldwide.
