TOP 10 MOST UNDERRATED TAMIL MOVIES THAT DESERVE MORE RECOGNITION

Saturday, March 18th, 2023

Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood, is one of the most vibrant and diverse film industries in India. While many Tamil movies have gained worldwide recognition, there are a few hidden gems that have gone unnoticed. These films are underrated, and deserve more recognition for their exceptional storytelling, cinematography, and acting. In this blog, we have curated a list of the top 10 most underrated Tamil movies that deserve more recognition.

1. Pariyerum Perumal (2018)

Pariyerum Perumal is a drama film directed by Mari Selvaraj. The movie tells the story of a young Dalit law student who faces discrimination and oppression from the upper-caste community in his village. The film stars Kathir and Anandhi in the lead roles and was praised for its powerful social commentary, realistic portrayal of caste-based discrimination, and brilliant performances. Pariyerum Perumal won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on Social Issues. The movie's themes of caste-based discrimination, social justice, and the fight for equality resonated with audiences and made it one of the most acclaimed Tamil films of all time.

2. Soodhu Kavvum (2013)

Soodhu Kavvum is a black comedy film directed by Nalan Kumarasamy. The movie tells the story of a group of small-time criminals who kidnap people for ransom and the chaos that ensues when one of their kidnappings goes wrong. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Sanchita Shetty in the lead roles and was praised for its witty humor, engaging plot, and exceptional performances. Soodhu Kavvum won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film - Tamil. The movie's themes of crime, humor and the unexpected twists and turns in the plot made it a critical and commercial success.

3. Super Deluxe (2019)

Super Deluxe is a Tamil-language neo-noir film directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja. The movie tells the story of several characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways over a day. The film features an ensemble cast, including Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Samantha Akkineni, and Ramya Krishnan, among others. Super Deluxe was praised for its innovative storytelling, exceptional performances, and bold themes, such as gender identity and sexuality. The film won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Super Deluxe is regarded as one of the most daring and thought-provoking films in recent Tamil cinema.

4. Kaala (2018)

Kaala is a Tamil language film that was released in 2018 and was directed by Pa. Ranjith. The film features Rajinikanth in the lead role, along with an ensemble cast of talented actors. The story revolves around the life of a leader of the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, who fights against a powerful politician trying to evict the slum dwellers and take over their land. The film explores themes of social injustice, the struggles of marginalized communities, and the fight for self-determination. The film received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, socially relevant themes, and exceptional filmmaking. Despite its acclaim, the film underperformed at the box office, and it remains an underrated gem in the Tamil film industry.

5. Kuttram Kadithal (2015)

Kuttram Kadithal was produced by J. Satish Kumar under his banner J. S. K. Film Corporation, and it marked the directorial debut of Bramma G. The film was made on a low budget, but it received critical acclaim and won several awards for its powerful storytelling and realistic performances. The film's cast includes Master Ajay, Radhika Prasidhha, Sai Rajkumar, Pavel Navageethan, and Nassar in pivotal roles. The child actor Master Ajay received widespread praise for his nuanced portrayal of the young boy who is caught up in the tragic incident that forms the crux of the film.

6. Aaranya Kaandam (2011)

Aaranya Kaandam is a neo-noir Tamil language film released in 2011 and directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja. The film features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Jackie Shroff, Ravi Krishna, Sampath Raj, and Yasmin Ponnappa. The film revolves around the lives of various characters in the criminal underworld of Chennai and the events that transpire when a drug deal goes wrong. The film explores themes of power, greed, and betrayal and is known for its non-linear narrative structure and raw portrayal of the seedy underbelly of Chennai. Aaranya Kaandam received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best First Film of a Director, and is considered a cult classic in Tamil cinema.

7. Pizza (2012)

Pizza is a 2012 horror-thriller Tamil film directed by Karthik Subbaraj. The movie features Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan in the lead roles. The film follows the story of a pizza delivery boy named Michael, played by Vijay Sethupathi, who delivers a pizza to a deserted house on a stormy night. The film takes a supernatural turn as Michael gets trapped in the house and encounters various supernatural elements. The movie was praised for its unique storyline and exceptional direction. It received critical acclaim and was commercially successful. The film was later remade in various languages, including Hindi, Kannada, and Bengali.

8. Oram Po (2007)

Oram Po is a Tamil language film released in 2007 and directed by the debutant duo Pushkar-Gayathri. The film features Arya and Pooja in lead roles and is set in the backdrop of the illegal street racing scene in Chennai. The film revolves around the lives of two young people who are passionate about racing and the challenges they face in the pursuit of their dreams. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the street racing culture in Chennai and its energetic soundtrack composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. Oram Po received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, establishing Pushkar-Gayathri as a talented filmmaker in the Tamil film industry.

9. Parijatham (2006)

Parijatham is a romantic drama film directed by Bhagyaraj. The movie tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a blind man and the challenges they face to overcome societal prejudices and family opposition. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Saranya Bhagyaraj in the lead roles and was praised for its heartwarming storyline, brilliant performances, and soulful music. Parijatham won several awards, including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. The movie's themes of love, compassion, and the power of perseverance resonated with audiences and made it one of the most beloved Malayalam films of all time.

10.Joker (2016)

Joker is a Tamil language film released in 2016 and directed by Raju Murugan. The film features Guru Somasundaram in the lead role, along with Ramya Pandian and Gayathri Krishnaa in supporting roles. The film is a social satire that revolves around a mentally unstable man who becomes a hero in his village after he accidentally hoists a flag atop a temple tower. The film explores themes of social inequality, political corruption, and the marginalized's plight. Joker received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, biting satire, and thought-provoking themes.