United News of Bangladesh

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

South Indian film industries—Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—continue to assert their creative force with a dynamic lineup ready for audiences. The September 2025 slate encompasses romance, thriller, action, comedy, fantasy, and drama—a vivid mix of genres. Teasers and first looks are already soaring high, with big dialogues and intense action fueling fans’ anticipation. Let’s delve into the 12 best Pan-Indian movies poised to redefine September 2025 with cinematic power. Top 12 South Indian Films Hitting Theatres This September . Ghaati | Telugu Action Crime | September 5, 2025 Presented by UV Creations, ‘Ghaati’ boasts Krish Jagarlamudi as the director and Chintakindi Srinivas Rao as the writer. The crime film comes from First Frame Entertainments, with production by Saibabu Jagarlamudi and Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy.  Anushka Shetty takes the central role, supported by Vikram Prabhu, Jagapathi Babu, Jisshu Sengupta, and Chaitanya Rao Madadi. At its core, the story traces the arc of a victim who turns to crime and, in time, rises as a legend. The score, composed by Nagavelli Vidya Sagar, underlines the drama with intensity. Read more: Best Bollywood Movies Releasing in September 2025: Theatrical and OTT Releases Akhanda 2: Thaandavam | Telugu Action | September 25, 2025 Boyapati Srinu leads both direction and writing, shaping the vision behind ‘Akhanda 2’. The cast is headlined by Nandamuri Balakrishna, with Samyuktha Menon, Ayyappa P. Sharma, Aadhi, Saswata Chatterjee, and young Harshaali Malhotra. The action film brings together children’s innocence, the beauty of nature, and the force of spiritual faith. It reflects on how communities strive for progress while holding onto their roots. S. Thaman provides the musical score, with production helmed by 14 Reels Plus and Sarke Studio. Read more: Top 10 Netflix Originals Premiering in September 2025 OG | Telugu Gangster Thriller | September 25, 2025 Backed by D. V. V. Danayya for DVV Entertainment, ‘OG’ flourishes with Sujeeth as its writer and director. The story follows Ojas Gambheera, known as OG, a feared don returning to Mumbai after ten years. His mission is clear – end the reign of another crime boss, Omi Bhau. Pawan Kalyan embodies OG, with Priyanka Mohan, Emraan Hashmi in his Telugu debut, Subhalekha Sudhakar, and Prakash Raj in key roles. The soundtrack is crafted by Thaman S, adding grit and tension to the background. Read more: Rajinikanth’s Coolie (2025) Movie Review and Updates Bad Girl | Tamil Romantic Drama | September 5, 2025 Music scored by Amit Trivedi, ‘Bad Girl’ showcases the directing and writing prowess of Varsha Bharath. Anjali Sivaraman anchors the film, joined by Hridhu Haroon, Shantipriya, and Teejay Arunasalam. The drama charts Ramya’s passage from school to college and then into a restless adulthood. Her search for the right partner is tangled in family pressures, unspoken affections, and the unruly stirrings of her own mind. The coming-of-age movie is bankrolled by Vetrimaaran’s Grass Root Film Company, with Anurag Kashyap presenting. Read more: Coolie vs War 2 vs Dhumketu Kaantha | Tamil Period Drama | September 12, 2025 Directed and written by Selvamani Selvaraj, ‘Kaantha’ places Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, and Samuthirakani in central roles. Production comes through Spirit Media by Rana Daggubati and Wayfarer Films by Dulquer Salmaan, combining two strong creative forces. The narrative unfolds in 1950s Madras, centred on the fragile bond between Ayya and Chandran. Ayya is a legendary filmmaker, and Chandran is a rising star he once mentored. Tensions grow when Chandran alters the name of a women-orientated project from Shaantha to Kaantha to fit his own image. It sends the period drama in a striking new direction. The background score comes from composer Jhanu Chanthar. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Lineup for September 2025: Top 10 New and Returning Shows Thandakaaranyam | Tamil Drama thriller | September 19, 2025 Starring Attakathi Dinesh and Kalaiyarasan, ‘Thandakaaranyam’ thrives under the direction and writing of Athiyan Athirai. The supporting ensemble includes Riythvika, Aruldoss, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Vinsu Sam, and Bala Saravanan, enriching the dramatic layers of the story. Pa. Ranjith produces for Neelam Productions in collaboration with Learn and Teach Production Private Limited, headed by Sai Devanand S and Sai Venkateswaran. Justin Prabhakaran provides the music, weaving through the emotions of the narrative. Read more: Will Zee TV’s long-running daily soap Kumkum Bhagya end soon?