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A wave of bold storytelling swept through the industry in 2025, as filmmakers from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada pushed South Indian cinema to new heights. It has been the movie year of suspense and thrills. As the months unfolded, the most loved genre was blended with action and engaging drama. Let’s take a look at the list of top 10 South Indian thrillers released in 2025 that shaped the year’s most exciting moments. Top 10 South Indian Thriller Films Released in 2025 So Far . Kaantha | Tamil | November 14, 2025 | IMDB: 8.5 Fictionalized on the life of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, ‘Kaantha’ is a joint production of Wayfarer Films and Spirit Media. The producers are Rana Daggubati, Prashanth Potluri, Jom Varghese, and Dulquer Salmaan. Besides directing the thriller film, Selvamani Selvaraj also wrote it with Thamizh Prabha. Samuthirakani, Dulquer Salmaan, Ravindra Vijay, Bhagyashri Borse, Gayathrie Shankar, and Rana Daggubati lead the cast. Read more: Golden Globes 2026 announces full list of film and TV nominees Set in 1950s Madras, the narrative follows famed director Ayya and his tense bond with film star T. K. Mahadevan, whose growing ego begins to disrupt their work. When a renamed film spirals into chaos after an on-set murder, Inspector Devaraj launches an investigation with Ayya and Mahadevan as the main suspects. Kantara: (A Legend) Chapter 1 | Kannada | October 2, 2025 | IMDB: 8.3 Backed by Chaluve Gowda and Vijay Kiragandur for Hombale Films, ‘Kantara: (A Legend) Chapter 1’ boasts Rishab Shetty as its writer and director. Long before the events of Kantara (2022), this tale travels back to ancient times, exploring the mysterious world of Buta Kola. It’s an old Hindu tradition filled with legends, village protectors, and a long-standing family struggle that shaped the story told in the original film. Headlining the movie cast are Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth, and Pramod Shetty. Read more: 'Raat Akeli Hai: Bansal Murders' trailer brings back Nawazuddin as Inspector Jatil Rekhachithram | Malayalam | January 9, 2025 | IMDB: 7.9 In the forest area of Malakkappara, Officer Vivek returns to duty and begins looking into the strange death of Rajendran, a man who confessed to a hidden crime from years earlier. The case grows even more puzzling when a young girl suddenly goes missing near the shooting spot of the film Kathodu Kathoram. With this plot, ‘Rekhachithram’ is a joint production of Kavya Film Company and Ann Mega Media. Jofin T. Chacko takes on the directorial role, while John Manthrikal was in charge of the screenplay based on a story written by Ramu Sunil. Anaswara Rajan and Asif Ali embody the protagonists, supported by Manoj K. Jayan, Jagadish, Siddique, Saikumar, Indrans, and Harisree Ashokan. Thudarum | Malayalam | April 25, 2025 | IMDB: 7.5 Bankrolled by M. Renjith through Rejaputhra Visual Media, ‘Thudarum’ flourishes with the direction of Tharun Moorthy, who contributed to the screenplay with K. R. Sunil. In the peaceful hill town of Ranni, a taxi driver named Shanmughan cares deeply for his old but beloved Ambassador car. When unexpected trouble arrives, he faces a tough challenge that shows how much courage and heart one person can hold. Read more: Top 10 Hindi Movies Debuting December 2025: Bollywood’s Year-End Blast Mohanlal and Shobana portray the lead characters. Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma, Farhaan Faasil, Amritha Varshini, Aarsha Chandini Baiju, Maniyanpilla Raju, Thomas Mathew, Irshad Ali, Krishna Prabha, and Sangeeth Prathap round out the supporting roles. Bazooka | Malayalam | April 10, 2025 | IMDB: 7.5 Featuring Gautham Vasudev Menon and Mammootty in leads, ‘Bazooka’ takes shape under the writing and directing of Deeno Dennis in his directorial debut. The ensemble also includes Divya Pillai, Sidharth Bharathan, Iswarya Menon, and Binu Pappu, with Babu Antony, Shine Tom Chacko, and Arattu Annan appearing in cameos. The action thriller follows a clever police officer and a sharp-minded businessman who join forces to stop a dangerous criminal. Their mission turns into a tense cat-and-mouse chase filled with tricky clues and bold strategies as they try to outsmart a ruthless psychopath. Dolwin Kuriakose, Jinu V. Abraham, Vikram Mehra, and Siddharth Anand Kumar helm the production, bringing together Yoodlee Films and Theatre of Dreams. Read more: 12 must-watch films this December

Marking Suriya’s powerful comeback after nine long years, ‘Retro’ lands with a flair on the cinematic stage. Released on May 1, 2025, this Tamil-language film has already stirred early conversations across theatres and online platforms. From its striking visuals to its strategic box-office climb, this film is steadily gaining traction. Let's unpack what makes this title a focal point of current film discussions. Story Development Karthik Subbaraj steers the romantic action movie with his directing prowess. Pooja Hegde was the main co-star of Suriya. Paarivel ‘Paari’ Kannan’s journey in ‘Retro’ is a layered tale of identity, destiny, and unresolved love. Orphaned and raised under the wing of a gangster, Paari's life is anything but ordinary. He uncovers traces of his lost past; he finds himself entangled in betrayal, hunted by a dangerous cult. He is driven by a prophecy that points to a greater purpose. At the heart of it all lies his longing to reunite with Rukmini, the woman he once loved. Read more: Carrie: A 49-Year-Old Stephen King Classic Set to Reboot From the very first scene, director Subbaraj lays the groundwork for a story deeply rooted in mythology. A spiritual discourse about Lord Krishna sets a symbolic tone. The visuals follow a child with a scar shaped eerily like a peacock feather being taken in by a gangster’s compassionate wife. The symbolism is clear, but the narrative avoids spoon-feeding. In a sharp twist, the boy grows up seeking approval not from his adoptive father but from his scheming uncle. Coincidentally, his lover’s name is Rukmini. The myth parallels eventually begin to deepen. Years later, Paari becomes a reluctant symbol of hope for an oppressed island community. In a raw and intense arena sequence, he rises quite literally as ‘The One’ by defeating their brutal tyrant. The crowd sees a saviour. But within, Paari is still torn. Pooja Hegde’s Rukmini challenges this internal struggle. She pleads for peace, urging him to take a path of compassion, like Buddha. But suspense grows whether his fate aligns more with Krishna, who restores balance through destruction. This tug-of-war between violent justice and moral rebirth forms the emotional spine of the movie. Read more: Now You See Me 3 Trailer: Did Viewers Get Actual Money? Moving Toward Climax With Some Glitches One of the most curious threads of tension is the ‘goldfish,’ a classic McGuffin. It drives an emotional wedge between Paari and his adoptive father, Thilagan, played by Joju George. What begins as a simple quest quickly spirals, setting off a chain of betrayals, misunderstandings, and heartbreak between Paari and Rukmini. As the story progresses, another layer unfolds through Paari’s clash with King, a ruthless cult leader portrayed by Vidhu. This antagonist fuels a much larger conflict, one rooted in the suffering of a silenced community. They believe in a saviour who will rise to free them, and Paari, knowingly or not, is pushed into that role. Director Subbaraj attempts to weave all these elements into the main narrative. While the intention is clear, the execution occasionally falters. Some of the film’s ambitious choices, particularly in the final act, don’t always land as intended. The climax, echoing shades of Jigarthanda Double X, feels bold but polarising. At times, the relentless violence stretches longer than it needs to. Even Rukmini’s stance on peace, while thematically important, lacks depth in key moments. Her repeated breakups with Paari feel abrupt, especially when his violence is portrayed as necessary or protective. Read more: Sweet Home Poised to Be the Next The Walking Dead: Netflix’s Apocalyptic K-Drama Dominates Streaming Charts Direction, Making, And Leading Performance Subbaraj’s filmmaking bravado often outshines the narrative flaws, drawing the viewer back in just when the momentum threatens to dip. One standout moment arrives in the form of a 15-minute single-shot sequence. It’s an exhilarating stretch that blends music, emotion, and explosive action without losing rhythm. The choreography, both in movement and camera, is so precise that it nearly demands applause. Equally captivating is an action set piece set against the glowing beauty of a bioluminescent sea. It’s visually arresting, and Shreyaas Krishna’s cinematography turns it into pure spectacle. Suriya, at the centre of it all, commands attention with a grounded performance. Unlike some of his recent outings, there’s no trace of theatricality here. His presence feels lived-in, powerful, and sincere. Read more: Disney Bets Big on Live-Action Remakes of Lilo & Stitch and Moana Adding to the movie’s energy is the background score crafted by Santhosh Narayanan. The soundtrack pulses with vitality, from vibrant songs to a stirring background music that lifts even the movie’s faltering beats. Box Office Collection Suriya’s long-awaited comeback vehicle has carved a strong presence at the box office, riding high on its theatrical momentum. Backed by Stone Bench Creations and 2D Entertainment, ‘Retro’ was mounted on a budget of Rs. 65 crore. As of 12 May 2025, this movie has collected a robust Rs. 94.35 crore in domestic markets and Rs. 27.75 crore from overseas circuits. That puts its global tally at an impressive Rs. 122.1 crore. What’s more striking is how it started. Day one saw a worldwide haul of Rs. 46 crore, marking the highest-ever opening day for a Suriya film in Tamil Nadu. With Rs. 17 crore earned just within the state, it soared past his previous record set by ‘Kanguva’ (2024). It also posted the top opening for any Tamil-language movie in 2025, pushing past ‘Good Bad Ugly.’ Read more: A Minecraft Movie Levels Up Theatres with Sing-along Block Party Edition By its ninth day, the pan-India net collection across all languages had reached Rs. 56.09 crore. While there were typical mid-week lulls, the overall trajectory remained healthy. Internationally, it debuted at number three on the global chart during its opening weekend. Within just five days, the earnings crossed Rs. 83 crore, dethroning ‘Madha Gaja Raja’ to become the fourth highest-grossing Tamil venture of the year. That milestone stretched further when the film clocked Rs. 100 crore globally by the end of its first week. Movie Rating Critically, the reception mirrored the box office enthusiasm. An IMDb rating of 8/10 and a solid 70% from Rotten Tomatoes signal a largely favourable response. It carries over to platforms like ‘The Times of India’ and Letterboxd, which echo the same steady 3/5 verdict. Verdict Suriya’s comeback with ‘Retro’ brings a layered tale of destiny, betrayal, and spiritual conflict under Karthik Subbaraj’s stylised direction. The narrative weaves mythology with gritty action, anchored by Suriya’s powerful presence. Despite some second-half stumbles and uneven emotional beats, the filmmaking craft and visual flair shine through. Critical nods have translated into major box-office success and a broadly favourable reception. Read more: Weapons’ 2-Hour Footage Ignites Trailer Buzz: USD 38 Million Bet for an Original Horror Pays Off