Premium10 South films to look forward to in 2024 - Captain Miller, Thalapathy 68, Indian 2, Pushpa 2 on the list
In 2024, the South Indian film industry promises an eclectic mix of period dramas, eagerly anticipated sequels, and groundbreaking technological marvels.
Last Updated: 09.23 AM, Dec 29, 2023
From period dramas to much-awaited sequels to ground-breaking films in terms of technology, the Indian film industry is all set to push the boundaries of filmmaking and storytelling.
Here are our top 10 selections of eagerly anticipated South Indian movies that we believe will leave a lasting imprint on the Indian film landscape in 2024.
Captain Miller:
Captain Miller is easily one of the biggest productions in Tamil star Dhanush's career. The film is set against the colonial backdrop and it follows the exploits of an outlaw waging a war against the imperial forces. Dhanush promises a memorable performance as Captain Miller, who seems to have a take-no-prisoner policy when it comes to dealing with his enemies. Written and directed by Arun Matheswaran, the film also stars Priyanka Arul Mohan, Shiva Rajkumar, Sundeep Kishan, John Kokken, and Edward Sonnenblick. Captain Miller is due in cinemas on January 12, 2024.
Malaikottai Vaaliban:
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's much-anticipated project, Malaikottai Vaaliban, remains veiled in secrecy, creating an air of intrigue. The filmmakers have strategically withheld substantial details about the film, intensifying the anticipation surrounding its release. The film marks Mohanlal's maiden collaboration with maverick director Lijo Jose Pellissery and fans are eager to witness Mohanlal's portrayal of an ancient wrestler. The film also stars Sonalee Kulkarni, Hareesh Peradi, Danish Sait and Manikandan R. Achari among others. The film is due in cinemas on January 25.
Indian 2:
Indian 2 is one of the most-awaited releases of 2024. A sequel to director Shankar's 1996 blockbuster Indian, Kamal Haasan reprises his iconic role as Senathipathi aka the 'Indian thatha', a knife-wielding lone crusader against corruption. The project went into production in 2019. However, it faced a lot of unforeseen hurdles, including a freak shooting spot accident that killed three crew members. The outbreak of the pandemic added to the uncertainty surrounding the film. However, Indian 2 was revived with Red Giant Movies coming on board as an additional producer along with Lyca Productions. Indian 2 is in the post-production phase and the filmmakers have not confirmed its release date yet. Besides Kamal, the film also stars Siddharth, S. J. Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal and Rakul Preet Singh among others.
Thalapathy 68:
Thalapthy Vijay's upcoming film has been tentatively titled Thalapathy 68. The film marks his first collaboration with director Venkat Prabhu and it has caused a lot of anticipation among the fans. Speculations are rife about the genre and the subject of the movie. However, nothing has been officially confirmed yet. It's expected to be heavy on cutting-edge VFX and action. One of the highlights of this film is its sprawling supporting cast, which features Prabhudeva, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Prasanth, Laila, Mohan, Jayaram, Ajmal Amir, Yogi Babu, VTV and Ganesh.
Pushpa 2: The Rule:
It won't be wrong to say that Pushpa 2 is one of the highly anticipated films not just in the Telugu states, but across the country. Written and directed by Sukumar, the follow-up film will continue tracking the battle exploits of Pushpa Raj, played by Telugu superstar Allu Arjun. The sequel will centre around the battle to the death between Pushpa and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, played by Fahadh Faasil. The film is due in cinemas on August 15, 2024.
Game Changer:
Game Changer is expected to further solidify the stardom of Telugu superstar Ram Charan, who became a global sensation following the blockbuster success of RRR. The production of the film was delayed due to various reasons, including the birth of Ram Charan's daughter Klin Kaara. Directed by Shankar, the film's story is penned by Karthik Subbaraj. Touted as a political thriller, the film also stars Kiara Advani, Anjali, S. J. Suryah, Jayaram, Sunil, Srikanth, Samuthirakani, and Nassar.
Kanguva:
Kanguva is the most expensive film in Tamil superstar Suriya's career. The scope and size of the film is very ambitious. So much so that the producers of Kanguva described it as Tamil cinema's answer to Baahubali, RRR and KGF 2. The teaser of the film gave us a glimpse into the enigmatic world of Kanguva, seemingly filled with tribes that walked the earth before the invention of agriculture and industries. The film promises to show Suriya in the never-before-see avatar of a warlord. Written and directed by Siva, the film also stars Disha Patani and Bobby Deol (in their Tamil debuts), alongside Natarajan Subramaniam, Jagapathi Babu, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley and, Kovai Sarala among others. The release date is not yet announced.
Kantara: Chapter 1:
Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara significantly contributed to the nationwide acclaim garnered by the Kannada film industry in 2022, securing its position among the top-grossing films of the year. Bolstered by the unexpected success across India, Rishab Shetty is gearing up to elevate the scale and narrative depth in the sequel, titled Kantara: Chapter 1. This instalment will delve into events preceding those in the original Kantara. To captivate the audience's imagination, the filmmakers teased Rishab's portrayal of a mythical warrior in a rugged avatar. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, anticipation is already running high.
Thangalaan:
Chiyaan Vikram seems to have pushed the limits of physically acting in Thangalaan. Based on the teaser, the film tells the story of oppression and rebellion against tyranny on a grand scale with sprawling artistic brilliance. Written and directed by Pa Ranjith, the film revolves around the discovery of a gold mine and the ensuing battle for wealth and power. Thangalaan stars Pasupathy, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan and Daniel Caltagirone in the supporing roles. It's due in cinemas on January 26. Speculations are rife that the release might get postponed. However, an official confirmation on the same is awaited.
Kalki 2898 AD:
It would be an understatement to say Kalki 2898 AD, which was earlier titled Project K, is a much-awaited film in India in 2024. The filmmakers have described it as India's first "mytho-sci-fi epic" set in a distant future that explores the themes of oppression, exploitation, greed for power, and the unending struggle for freedom. Telugu superstar Prabhas is playing the lead role, while it boasts a stellar supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. No released date has been announced.