Best Tamil movies 1990 - Present (Drama, Romance)
by Arun29 | created - 08 Dec 2014 | updated - 07 Nov 2021 | PublicThese are "MY" favorite Tamil movies. I don't watch popcorn flicks and prefer watching movies that has an impact what so ever.
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1. Naan Kadavul (2009)
Not Rated | 165 min | Action, Drama
After Rudran's father leaves him in Kashi, he grows up to be an Aghori. However, when his family gets him back home, he faces problems adjusting to the city lifestyle.
Director: Bala | Stars: Arya, Pooja Umashankar, Motta Rajendran, Krishnamoorthy
Votes: 2,236
It translates to "I am God" in english.
This is a movie about disability, poverty and the sorrowful life of orphans / beggars in everyday life. This movie is too moving to be watched by the faint hearted.
This has won 3 National awards.
2. Bombay (1995)
Not Rated | 130 min | Drama, Romance
A Hindu man and a Muslim woman fall in love in a small village and move to Mumbai, where they have two children. However, growing religious tensions and erupting riots threaten to tear the family apart.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala, Nassar, Kitty
Votes: 13,706
Religious problems in India.
3. Anbe Sivam (2003)
Not Rated | 160 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Two men, one young and arrogant, the other damaged - physically but not spiritually - by life, are thrown together by circumstances, and find that they are in some ways bound together by fate.
Director: Sundar C. | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Madhavan, Kiran Rathod, Nassar
Votes: 25,311
The original title of this movie in Tamil is "Anbe Sivam" which translates in English to "Love is God".
4. Pariyerum Perumal (2018)
Not Rated | 154 min | Drama
A law student from a lower caste begins a friendship with his classmate, a girl who belongs to a higher caste, and the men in her family start giving him trouble over this.
Director: Mari Selvaraj | Stars: Kathir, Anandhi, Yogi Babu, Lijeesh
Votes: 18,402
Cast problems in a very polished way.
5. Mahanadi (1994)
162 min | Crime, Drama
An innocent man is framed in a financial scam and imprisoned. After his release, he learns that his daughter was sold into prostitution and he struggles to free her.
Director: Santhana Bharathi | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sukanya, Poornam Vishwanathan, Mahanadhi Shobana
Votes: 4,454
6. Thavamai Thavamiruntu (2005)
180 min | Drama
The film sensitively portrays the struggles of a father whose main priority in life is the well being of his children, and who is determined to see his children grow up to become decent, successful persons.
Director: Cheran | Stars: Cheran, Raj Kiran, Padmapriya, Saranya Ponvannan
Votes: 574
7. Western Ghats (2018)
122 min | Drama
Rangasamy, a laborer living on the borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu just like his fellow sons of soils toils, hard-working at the spice plantations owned by landlords. Whilst Rangasamy is ... See full summary »
Director: Leninbharati | Stars: Antony, Aaru Bala, Gayatri Krishnaa, Abu Valayamkulam
Votes: 1,948
8. Kaadhal (2004)
122 min | Romance
A wealthy girl falls in love with a young motor mechanic, faced with the imminent threat of an arranged marriage with an American groom she persuades to elope with the motor mechanic.
Director: Balaji Sakthivel | Stars: Bharath Srinivasan, Sandhya, Sukumar, Kadhal Thandapani
Votes: 1,205
It Translates to "Love".
Its about how a couple fall in love, how deep they get along and how casteism and society has an impact
9. Thanga Meengal (2013)
Unrated | 140 min | Drama, Family
A poor man wants his daughter to be happy, no matter what comes through.
Director: Ram | Stars: Ram, Sadhana, Shelly Kishore, Rohini
Votes: 1,105
It translates to "Golden fishes"
Its about how deep a father daughter relationship is.
10. The Crow's Egg (2014)
109 min | Comedy, Drama
Two slum kids yearn to taste a pizza after being enticed by the pizza shop that has opened near their locality. What happens when they manage to find the money to buy one?
Director: M. Manikandan | Stars: Ramesh Thilaganathan, J. Vignesh, Aishwarya Rajesh, Ramesh Thilak
Votes: 7,718
This movie is about how 2 slum kids struggle so hard to try eating Pizza.
11. Indian (1996)
Not Rated | 185 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A veteran freedom fighter enraged with the rising crime and corruption in the society murders all the wrong doers one by one using an ancient martial arts technique.
Director: S. Shankar | Stars: Kamal Haasan, Sukanya, Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar
Votes: 13,864
This movie is about how India is corrupted and how one man struggles to change it.
12. Anjathe (2008)
Not Rated | 185 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Sathya and Kiruba are friends. Sathya is reckless and gets into drinking and violent fights whereas Kiruba studies hard to become a Sub-Inspector. Tables are turned when Sathya becomes a Sub-Inspector.
Director: Mysskin | Stars: Narain, Prasanna, Ajmal Ameer, Vijayalakshmi Ahathian
Votes: 2,458
It translates to "Do not be afraid".
Its about cops and kidnapping.
13. Kattradhu Thamizh (2007)
147 min | Drama, Mystery
A young post-graduate faces difficulties with finding employment, and struggles against social inequalities.
Director: Ram | Stars: Jiiva, Anjali, Karunas, Azhagam Perumal
Votes: 3,515
14. Anjali (1990)
Not Rated | 150 min | Drama
After a few years, Chitra learns that her child, who was believed to be dead, is alive but is suffering from a mental illness. However, her family faces many challenges while looking after her child.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Shamili, Revathi, Raghuvaran, Tarun
Votes: 3,177
15. Raja Rani (2013)
160 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
John and Regina, who dislike each other, are forced to get married and lead troubled lives. However, things take a turn when the couple suffers a sudden tragedy.
Director: Atlee | Stars: Arya, Nayanthara, Jai, Nazriya Nazim
Votes: 5,909
16. Kanaa Kanden (2005)
146 min | Romance, Thriller
This film has the water scarcity that the city faces severely as its backdrop. It revolves around three interesting characters. 'Baskar', who takes up desalination of seawater as his ... See full summary »
Director: K.V. Anand | Stars: Linda Arsenio, Gopika, Srikanth, Prithviraj Sukumaran
Votes: 375
17. 3 (I) (2012)
Not Rated | 145 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
Ram and Janani are high school sweethearts who eventually get married. However, Janani is mystified when Ram commits suicide all of a sudden and she tries to find out the truth behind his death.
Director: Aishwarya Dhanush | Stars: Dhanush, Shruti Haasan, Prabhu, Bhanupriya
Votes: 6,359
Although I don't like the way movie ended it shows how deep and affectionate a couple can fall in love and get along.
18. Engeyum Eppodhum (2011)
138 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Amudha, a village girl visiting Chennai for the first time, falls in love with Gautham, a stranger, who shows her around the city. Kathiresan, a metal worker, is infatuated by Manimegalai, a nurse.
Director: M. Saravanan | Stars: Jai, Sharwanand, Anjali, Ananya
Votes: 2,242
19. Keladi Kanmani (1990)
Not Rated | 140 min | Drama
The movie begins with the love-hate relationship between Anu (Anju) and Sasi (Ramesh Aravind). We also see that Anu is a motherless child, reared by an understanding father, A.R.R (S.P. ... See full summary »
Director: Vasanth | Stars: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Radhika Sarathkumar, Anju Aravind, Ramesh Aravind
Votes: 119
20. Irudhi Suttru (2016)
Not Rated | 109 min | Action, Drama, Sport
The story of a former boxer who quits boxing following a fallout with the authorities over the underlying politics but goes on to coach a fisherwoman to fulfill his dream through her.
Director: Sudha Kongara | Stars: Madhavan, Nassar, Radha Ravi, Kaali Venkat
Votes: 12,516 | Gross: $0.08M
21. Roja (1992)
137 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
A woman from a village in Tamil Nadu marries a sophisticated city dweller and moves with him to Kashmir, where all is rosy - until he gets kidnapped by militants.
Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Arvind Swamy, Madhoo, Pankaj Kapur, Nassar
Votes: 13,716
It translates to "Rose".
Its about terrorism in India.
22. Anniyan (2005)
Not Rated | 181 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Ramanujam, who suffers from multiple personality disorder, works as a lawyer by day and a vigilante at night, using tips from the 'Garuda Purana' as his tools to punish various antisocial elements.
Director: S. Shankar | Stars: Vikram, Sada, Prakash Raj, Vivek
Votes: 21,457
It translates to "Foreigner" in the sense he doesn't belong in India where corruption is so common.
23. Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2012)
Not Rated | 124 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A girl gets in trouble when her boyfriend films her private moments on his mobile phone without her knowledge.
Director: Balaji Sakthivel | Stars: Sri, Urmila Mahanta, Mithun Murali, Manisha Yadav
Votes: 2,373
It translates to "Case no 18/9" .
Its about corruption and how younger generation misuse smartphones.
24. Pudhu Pettai (2006)
Not Rated | 168 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After running away from his home, Kumar falls in with a gang and slowly rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld.
Director: K. Selvaraghavan | Stars: Dhanush, Sneha, Sonia Agarwal, Azhagam Perumal
Votes: 7,920
25. To Let (2019)
Not Rated | 99 min | Family
The struggle of a family of three as they search for a house to rent after being given an ultimatum to vacate their house by their land lady.
Director: Chezhian Ra | Stars: Dharun Bala, T. Arul Ezhilan, Mk Mani, Marudhu Mohan
Votes: 853
26. 96 (II) (2018)
Not Rated | 158 min | Drama, Romance
Two high school sweethearts meet at a reunion after 22 years and reminisce about their past.
Director: C. Prem Kumar | Stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Adithya Bhaskar, Trisha Krishnan, Gouri Kishan
Votes: 37,080
27. Oh My Kadavule (2020)
151 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
When you think marrying your best friend means a 'happily ever-after', but it turns out to be just the reverse.
Director: Ashwath Marimuthu | Stars: Ashok Selvan, Ritika Singh, Vani Bhojan, Vijay Sethupathi
Votes: 4,851
28. Super Deluxe (2019)
Not Rated | 176 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
An unfaithful newly-wed wife, an estranged father, a priest and an angry son suddenly find themselves in the most unexpected predicaments, each poised to experience their destiny, all on one fateful day.
Director: Thiagarajan Kumararaja | Stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Ramya Krishnan
Votes: 17,485
29. Aandavan Kattalai (2016)
151 min | Drama
Gandhi and Pandi decided to get a passport and travel to London to get rid of debts in their village. Things didn't happened has they planned.
Director: M. Manikandan | Stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Ritika Singh, Pooja Devariya, Aandavan Kattalai Aravindhan
Votes: 3,113
30. Visaaranai (2015)
Not Rated | 117 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Four labourers are tortured by the police to confess to a theft they have not committed.
Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dinesh, Samuthirakani, Anandhi, Murugadass
Votes: 12,082
31. Autograph (2004)
168 min | Romance
Follow Senthil's life through vignettes of his past presented by the people he visits while distributing his marriage invitations. His love life is the aspect in prime focus -- while we are presented with nuggets of other development also.
Director: Cheran | Stars: Cheran, Sneha, Gopika, Kaniha
Votes: 1,204
32. Asuran (2019)
Not Rated | 141 min | Action, Drama
The teenage son of a farmer from an underprivileged caste kills a rich, upper caste landlord. How the pacifist farmer saves his hot-blooded son is the rest of the story.
Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Prakash Raj, Pasupathy
Votes: 33,472
33. Mudhalvan (1999)
Not Rated | 169 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
A man accepts a challenge to act as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for one day only, and makes such a success of it that soon he is embroiled in political intrigue.
Director: S. Shankar | Stars: Arjun Sarja, Manisha Koirala, Raghuvaran, Vadivelu
Votes: 8,445
34. Paradesi (2013)
126 min | Drama, History
Before independence during the 1940's depicts the lives of poor carefree villagers who are lured to work in Tea plantation farms and how they are forced to live rest of their lives as slaves with no traces of hope and freedom.
Director: Bala | Stars: Atharvaa Murali, Vedhika, Dhansika, Jerry
Votes: 2,062
35. Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018)
Not Rated | 131 min | Drama, Music
A mridangam maker's son, who aspires to learn the instrument from a maestro and become a mridangam player, has to cross social and personal barriers to reach his goal.
Director: Rajiv Menon | Stars: G.V. Prakash Kumar, Nedumudi Venu, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth
Votes: 1,353
36. Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum (2021)
112 min | Comedy, Drama
Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum also known as RARA talks about a village, which is breaking news in all television channels in India but the people of the village don't have electricity to watch Television.
Director: Arisil Moorthy | Stars: Ajay, Akila, T. Anbazhagan, Karattaandi Annakamu
Votes: 487
37. Mandela (2021)
140 min | Comedy, Drama
A local barber's fate turns overnight when he becomes the single deciding vote in the village elections.
Director: Madonne Ashwin | Stars: Yogi Babu, Sheela Rajkumar, Sangili Murugan, Mukesh
Votes: 8,401
38. Jai Bhim (2021)
Approved | 164 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When a tribal man is arrested for a case of alleged theft, his wife turns to a human-rights lawyer to help bring justice.
Director: T.J. Gnanavel | Stars: Suriya, Lijo Mol Jose, Manikandan K., Rajisha Vijayan
Votes: 217,231
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