Stream these 5 Tamil films that restore faith in humanity amid war and political conflicts

Art is a reflection of society. And sometimes, the reality is far more astonishing and terrifying than what we see onscreen. While war and political conflicts have been a recurring theme in cinema across the world, it is back in focus with the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. On that note, here are five Tamil films that will make you place humanity above all.

5 Tamil films that restore faith in humanity amid war and political conflicts

Thenali 

Though it takes a comical route, the 2000 film Thenali traces the post-traumatic stress disorder of a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee in the aftermath of the Civil War. As he flees to India and comes for treatment for the numerous phobias he had developed during the wartime, the film revolves around his instant connection to a local psychologist who gets irked by his growing attachment to his family. Directed by KS Ravikumar, the film features Kamal Haasan, Jayaram, Jyotika, Devyani, and others.

Ayothi 

Ayothi is a 2023 Tamil film directed by debutant filmmaker Manthira Moorthy. Featuring actor-director Sasikumar and Preethi Asrani in the lead roles. With India often witnessing conflicts based on religion, caste and class, Ayothi talks about how humanity is placed above all. Revolving around a family from Ayodhya who are travelling to Rameswaram on a spiritual trip, the film delves into how an unfortunate incident pauses their life until a stranger decides to help them out. Sasikumar plays the role of an ambulance driver.

Roja 

Roja is a 1992 romantic thriller featuring Arvind Swamy and Madhoo in the lead roles. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film revolves around a newly wedded couple who relocate to Jammu and Kashmir after the husband is posted there to work for the RAW agency. But when he gets kidnapped by the militants, the wife is left alone to rescue her husband.

Kannathil Muthamittal - Prime Video

Kannathil Muthamittal is a Mani Ratnam cinematic creation starring Madhavan, Simran, Nandita Das, PS Keerthana, Pasupathy, Prakash Raj and others. The film revolves around a couple who live with their three children. But all hell breaks loose when the couple decide to unveil it to their eldest daughter that she is adopted. This sets up an adventure when the daughter sets out to find her birth mother, who is now a soldier in the Sri Lankan war. Through the lens of war and emotions, Kannathil Muthamittal talks about the importance of family and belonging.

Parasakthi - Prime Video

Parasakthi is a 1952 political drama film by Krishnan–Panju and written by M. Karunanidhi. Featuring Sivaji Ganesan, SV Sahasranamam, SS Rajendran, Sriranjani Jr, and Pandari Bai among others, it revolves around a Tamil family's misfortune against the backdrop of World War 2. When the youngest of the three brothers plans to travel from Burma to India to attend their sister's wedding amid the war tensions, the film talks about the corrupt society and wrongdoings, which can only be rectified with humanity.

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