There is indeed a separate fanbase for South Indian crime thrillers. Whether made on a heavy or a small budget, several content-driven movies have become massively successful at the box office. With brilliant writing and scenes that leave the audience on the edge of their seats, these films are still enjoyed by many. From Kantara and Drishyam to the KGF film franchise, the list of many South Indian crime thrillers on OTT is below:
Kantara
The 2022 Kannada movie Kantara became a pan-India hit overnight. Made on a budget of about $1.9 million, the film is the second highest-grossing Kannada movie ever. Rishab Shetty starred in the film and also directed and co-wrote it. It is, to date, one of the most lauded and unique South Indian crime thrillers.
Kantara follows the story of a tribal community, their rights, beliefs, and troubles with the state. The movie’s official synopsis reads, “A fiery young man clashes with an unflinching forest officer in a south Indian village where spirituality, fate, and folklore rule the lands.”
The film received positive reviews and a lot of praise. Its prequel, Kantara: Part 1, is currently being made. The film’s Hindi and English versions are available to stream on Netflix, and its Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil versions are on Amazon Prime Video.
Drishyam
The 2013 Malayalam film Drishyam was critically acclaimed. The Mohanlal starrer is undoubtedly one of the most loved South Indian crime thrillers of all time. Written and directed by Jeethu Joseph, the movie has been recreated in several languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Mandarin.
The movie follows the story of George Kutty, who leads a happy life with his wife and daughters. However, his peaceful abode is disrupted when a boy troubles his adopted daughter.
The movie’s unexpected twists and turns due to an accidental crime intrigue the audience. As it is still one of the most beloved movies for crime thriller enthusiasts, it is available on DisneyPlus Hotstar and YouTube.
KGF: Chapter 1
KGF: Chapter 1 changed the dynamic of Kannada cinema in 2018. Written and directed by Prashanth Neel, the movie’s overnight success was commendable. Yash, who played the lead role of Rocky, also became a pan-India star with the movie’s release.
The movie’s story is set against the backdrop of Kolar Gold Fields, a brutal place situated in South India. It also explores the gangster culture of India in the 1970s.
With its massive action and crime with a hint of drama and emotion, the film received positive remarks from both the audience and critics. It is currently available to watch on DisneyPlus Hotstar.
KGF: Chapter 2
The Yash-starrer’s sequel KGF: Chapter 2 began from where the previous movie left off. It welcomed more celebrated actors, including Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon, who played crucial roles.
As the film franchise expanded with the 2022 movie, it became even bigger and the highest-grossing Kannada movie of all time. The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video in multiple languages.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire
Prashanth Neel’s latest creation, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, was among the most successful movies of 2023. Starring Prabhas in the lead role, the film also saw an ensemble cast, including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, and Jagapathi Babu. The film was produced with a substantial budget, and a sequel is currently in development.
Its official synopsis reads, “The fate of a violently contested kingdom hangs on the fraught bond between two friends-turned-foes in this saga of power, bloodshed and betrayal.”
The movie’s Hindi version is available on DisneyPlus Hotstar. On the other hand, it is available to stream in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and English on Netflix.
Vikram
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan’s 2022 film Vikram is among the highest-grossing movies in Tamil cinema. Helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the movie follows a murder investigation that leads to a web of crimes by a drug cartel. It also stars Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi in crucial roles.
The celebrated movie is available to stream on DisneyPlus Hotstar.
In conclusion, there is a plethora of star-studded South Indian crime thrillers on various OTT platforms. They can make a perfect watch for weekends.
