Talk about movies in India 2022, South Indian movies have dominated the country with exhilarating stories that reach far and wide with their relatable themes and larger-than-life characters. Whether it’s mainstream blockbusters like RRR, Vikram, KGF Chapter 2, or art independent films like Kadaisi Vivasayi, Gargi, Pada, South India in 2022, South Indian movies have delivered a wide range of cinematic experiences.
Here’s the list of the 15 best South Indian movies released in 2022.
Top South Indian Movies 2022:
RRR: Rise-Roar-Revolt
“RRR was a blast and also a quintessential “dudes rock” movie. It fires on all cylinders to deliver an adrenaline-fueled, emotional & action-packed adventure offset by some of the most bonkers, jaw-dropping setpieces which spectacularly blend history and mythology. This movie is further proof of why SS Rajamouli is one of world cinema’s most audacious & ambitious image-makers. The movie rests strongly on the shoulders of Jr NTR & Ram Charan, and SSR has balanced both characters smartly.”– Nakul, Letterboxd.
Jana Gana Mana
“Jana Gana Mana does something incredible. Similar to Benoît Poelvoorde’s 1992 masterpiece Man Bites Dog, it puts the spotlight on you – the common man, you the spectator, you the viewer. It is about how easily you get swayed, how your emotions get controlled by the narrative planted by the media. Jana Gana Mana is a much more deep, complex work than what meets the eye. It asks uncomfortable questions. It dares you to look away. It is this truth the movie attempts to get to and like how the great philosophers have said before, the path to reach the truth is not rosy.” – HareeshRajaa, Letterboxd.
Sita Ramam
“Sita Ramam is the testament that ‘films don’t necessarily require hundreds of crores to be good.’ ahem radhe-shyam ahem.” – Jayanth, Letterboxd.
“An epic period tale of love and war that’s executed in an emotionally effective and poetic manner. The drama initially takes its time to settle in, moves along at its own pace, and has a few logic shortcomings, but gets more curiously interesting pre-interval onwards with surprising well-placed twists and grippingly moving final hour filled with heart n humanity.” – Michael James, Letterboxd.
Mahaan
“Thankfully, this film has a distinctively auteur style to it whilst being a blockbuster. Karthik Subbaraj has been nicknamed the Tamil Tarantino deservedly. It’s well-written with a lot of layers that twist and contort. The themes within it are really salient in our current politically polarised climate; thus I appreciate how it shows perspectives. Plus, it’s depiction of alcoholism is quite authentic and poignant in current Tamil Nadu politics” – Aj Waran, Letterboxd.
Pada
“This is how you make real-life incident-based movies with political bearings, nail-biting. This is how you stand by the wronged without diluting the gravity of the injustice they face. This is how you use political nuances in film. Pada is a political statement. A revolution. A thank you ode to the tribal activists and revolutionaries and most importantly an uncomfortable reminder of the fact that rightful inhabitants of forest land are still landless” – Mystic River, Letterboxd.
Gargi
“The last time I was this disturbed by a film was during Mads Mikkelsen’s the hunt, Gargi was beyond what I expected. It’s so mature and intense for most of the parts, and surprisingly works well as a whodunit as well. The racy screenplay of Gargi is on point with applause-worthy dialogues and erratic comedy that feels organic. I don’t wanna exaggerate too much, just experience this gripping drama in the theaters.” – Jack, Letterboxd.
Vikram
“Blown away by Lokesh Kanagaraj’s VIKRAM. A well-written, brutal & energizing action thriller with impressively staged & well-executed action set pieces & a terrific soundtrack! Kamal Hassan once again, showing the kids how it’s done! VJS, Fahadh & Suriya… the entire cast made up exclusively of scene-stealers! Can’t remember the last time I saw an Indian action thriller this good.” – Nakul, Letterboxd.
Hridayam
“A beautiful, unique, and realistic yet refreshing coming-of-age romantic drama that will hit you with its nostalgia right in the feels. Being director Vineeth Sreenivasan’s most personal project. Be it the story, acting, direction, music, cinematography, etc every department is superb, With all the sound track. It’s truly the soul of the film.” – ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ™, Letterboxd.
Major
“Patriotic films like this and shershah work very well because of the perfect balance of emotions and action. And patriotism isn’t forced throughout the film, all they wanted to do this is a proper tribute and yeah they managed to pull it.” – Jack, Letterboxd.
“The direction, cinematography, acting, and pacing are superb — however they are all let down by a pretty flimsy script filled with generic moments and dialogues.” – filmranked, Letterboxd.
Bheeshma Parvam
“Well, what should I say about Bheeshma Parvam? Amal Neerad give it’s freedom to one of the greatest Indian actors of all time and gives what audience want and delivers every single time. Bheeshma Parvam is a voyeur experience that will always cherish forever. Despite not being a perfect movie like the predictable storyline, it still makes you excites each and every Mammootty dialogue all along. A true fitting tribute for Mammootty and more so, a return to form as well.” – Moviememes.mp4, Letterboxd.
Love Today
“This is the product of a guy who knows how to captivate his audience and what makes them tick, he knows how to take an original concept and commercialize it. After watching this movie I can confidently say that comali is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many more gems to come out from this guy.” – Akshay Kannan, Letterboxd.
Ante Sundaraniki
“Vivek Athreya takes the learnings of his previous two films and delivers some of the most textured work in this now populated, quirk-a-minute Indian genre– which hasn’t been putting character above theme nearly enough anymore. Not only is this visually flawless in the simplest of ways, but also every screenwriting aspect and artist involved is in blind service of the characters being imagined. The feeling of seeing Pellichoopulu for the first time in 2016 was always going to be hard to find again in Tollywood’s streaming era. Happy to say this might’ve outdone it.” – Shritan, Letterboxd.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part
“An epic in a true sense of the word, Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan adaptation is a true spectacle to watch. The performances were all amazing, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Vikram, and especially Karthi, who brings Vandiyathevan’s charisma and charm to life very well. A.R. Rahman’s score brings scenes to life very well, and the songs from the movie are all amazing. Ponni Nadhi and the Devaralan Attam were especially terrific. ” – chrisnolansim, Letterboxd.
Thiruchitrambalam
“I feel that the cinema of 2022 so far has taught and reinstated that the success of stories lies in simplicity and effectiveness rather than complicating narration. Mithran Jawahar’s “Thiruchitrambalam” chronicles the life of the titular character (Dhanush), his friendship, romance, heartbreaks, and his dysfunctional family. “Thiruchitrambalam” aims to be a simple and subtle slice-of-life drama and it does that perfectly.” – Adithiyan Curioser, Letterboxd.
Kadaisi Vivasayi
“Kadaisi Vivasayi is a film with a whole heart, surfaced in the emotions, humor, energy and philosophy of life. The film doesn’t picturise farming as profitability. It breaks the stereotypical tropes of the genre and portrays farming as a way of life. Along with the life of a farmer, his love for the world’s essential job, the director Manikandan also weaves the simple and awesome lives of people and the benefits of a devoted heart. Director Manikandan is a gem of Tamil Cinema, a visionary who can only make this kind of films here. Kadaisi Vivasayi is a paen to a simple life and self-sufficiency.” – cinema_made, Letterboxd.
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