Global cinema is all the rage among western audiences these days, with international-language films like Train to Busan and RRR gaining an unprecedented level of popularity. For South Indian cinema, the global success of RRR came hand-in-hand with a relatively new industry trend dubbed pan-Indian cinema.
The term technically refers to the trend of producing movies in multiple languages simultaneously to capture the entire Indian market. However, pan-India has come to mean an entire genre in and of itself — defined by a massive production value and cinematic storytelling on an epic scale. The regional South Indian industries have quickly become known as masters of this style, and they have released a number of high-octane action films in recent years that easily approach the grandness of RRR.
All that is to say that if you loved S.S. Rajamouli’s filmRRR and have been clamoring for similarly grand experiences, there is a lot more of where it came from. Here are 11 South Indian action movies that you need to watch next, from epic blockbusters to tales steeped in the South Indian cultural context.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
1 Vikram (2022)
Red Giant Movies
Despite becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time, Vikram never quite received the stature of RRR in India. It’s a shame because the movie demonstrates a very different kind of filmmaking mastery than RRR. The barebones plot of Vikram deals with a black-ops squad investigating a group who have been killing high-profile cops.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
But it is so much more than that. The standout feature of Vikram, besides its large-scale action, is its highly elaborate narrative led forward by a collection of larger-than-life characters, each of whom has been crafted to meticulous detail. The movie drops you right in the middle of complex machinations already underway; you’re just along for the ride. The stakes begin to unfold within the first five minutes in a very effective opening scene — and you’re immediately hooked into its vicelike grip.
2 KGF (2018 & 2022)
Hombale Films
Following in the footsteps of Baahubali was the pan-Indian hit KGF, a movie that garnered just as many fans. Like Baahubali, KGF was delivered in two parts and told a classic 70s crime action story about a man with a near-mythical persona, intent upon taking over the criminal underworld. Its standout quality is a dramatic visual style that is amped up to the max in the action sequences. KGF also offers a fantastic example of the terrifying hero, where the very name of the protagonist inspires terror in his enemies. The villain-like character introduction of the protagonist is simply unforgettable, especially if your experience with South Indian cinema is limited.
3 Kantara (2022)
Kantara is the latest film phenomenon to come out of South Indian cinema, quickly becoming the second highest-grossing Kannada movie of all time. Western viewers are bound to find Kantara to be one of their most indelible film experiences. At its center lies an ancient folklore custom where gods are believed to channel through chosen mediums. Kantara tells the story of one such individual who seeks to avoid his spiritual calling, only to find his way back amidst conspiracies that threaten the livelihood of his entire village.
4 Pushpa: The Rise (2021)
Muttamsetty Media
Crime thrillers about indomitable heroes seem to never go out of fashion with the Indian audience. Pushpa: The Rise was a great movie within that evergreen Indian genre, this time telling the story of a red sandalwood smuggler who dreams of becoming the big fish in the business. Telugu star Allu Arjun is a big part of the film’s appeal, creating a unique characterization for the lead character, which became a big hit with the viewers. Its creators hope to recreate the success of the movie with a second part, dubbed Pushpa: The Rule, which is currently under production.
5 Vikram Vedha (2017)
YNOT Studios
Vikram Vedha is a neo-noir action film inspired by the classic Indian folk tale commonly known as Vikram-Betaal, which is an Arabian Nights-styled frame story for a collection of riddles. It follows a merciless cop in pursuit of an elusive gang leader. The narrative is framed in three parts, each led forward by a story told by the gangster, ending in a riddle. The journey eventually leads the cop to question his own sense of right and wrong. The movie is led by heavyweights of the Tamil film industry, R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi. The writer-director duo behind this film remade it for Bollywood in 2022 to equal success.
6 Kaithi (2019)
Dream Warrior Pictures
Kaithi is the brainchild of Lokesh Kanagaraj, the same mind behind Vikram. The movie has an unusual premise that sets the lead characters on an overnight long-distance trip. All the while, they must fight back against gangsters in pursuit to make it safely to their destination. Both Kaithi and Vikram are part of a shared cinematic universe, with a key plot point connecting both movies. The movie comes with a sense of thrilling intrigue and masterful characterization, giving viewers much to chew on while revealing very little.
7 Sarpatta Parambarai (2021)
Sarpatta Parambarai is a period sports film set in the boxing culture of North Madras in the 70s. The lead character, Kabilan, is the son of a renowned late boxer from the Sarpatta boxing clan and hopes to make a name for himself in the sport. The movie offers a detailed and realistic portrayal of the 70s North Madras society, with a rich cast of characters, and many social forces influencing their decisions. The movie also features the mandatory hermit-mode training montage, except that you come to appreciate this cliché in the midst of the grounded storytelling.
8 Baahubali (2015 & 2018)
Arka Media Works
Baahubali was the movie that started the present-day wave of South Indian films taking over the entire Indian cinema. The success of the first Baahubali movie gave birth to the term pan-Indian cinema and paved the way for many of the other movies on this list. The same mind behind RRR, S.S. Rajamouli, was also responsible for this epic historical fantasy. Baahubali is a movie told in two parts about a fantasy kingdom and its princes’ struggle for the throne.
9 Dammu (2012)
Creative Commercials
Viewers will often find that the best South Indian movies are framed with classical motifs, whether they are overt mythological parallels or more primal, archetypal ones. Dammu is an action film starring N.T. Rama Rao Jr., one whose merits were mostly overlooked by critics. The movie, however, represents some of the best uses of the South Indian filmmaking signatures — the mythological parallels, the generational enmity between two rural aristocratic clans, and the fearsome hero that draws obvious comparisons to a predatory beast. One simply doesn’t find such an interpretation of the action genre anywhere else in the world.
10 Sarrainodu (2016)
Geetha Arts
Sarrainodu is a popular action film featuring Allu Arjun in the leading role. The movie follows a common plot line in South Indian action films, pitting a headstrong young hero against an equally bullheaded evil villain. In the case of this movie, the hero happens to be a military man-turned-vigilante, while the villain is the son of the state chief minister, whose depravity exceeds those of his own father. Sarrainodu comes with an entertaining package of comedy, romance, and intensely melodramatic action climaxes that contributed to the movie’s success.
11 Magadheera (2009)
An early handiwork of S.S. Rajamouli, Magadheera marked one of the few rare instances before the pan-Indian phenomenon where a regional-language film won hearts across India. The movie starred Ram Charan of RRR fame in a historical fantasy movie about love, bravery, and reincarnation. A particular action sequence near the climax of the movie will heavily remind viewers of Chinese wuxia-style battles, as the lead hero makes a last stand against a literal army in an intensely melodramatic scene.
