2020 was not an easy year for Tamil cinema. Or any other cinema for that matter. The pandemic hit the industry hard and going to theatres seemed like a long-lost experience. On the other hand, 2020 was also the year of OTT platforms coming to the rescue of thousands of us stuck inside our homes. Thanks to these platforms, Tamil cinema and other regional films reached larger audiences, including on a global scale. OTT platforms also gave directors free rein over their content with no worry over Censorship controversies. As a result, though we were robbed of normal experiences, we still got to witness some wonderful films from the comfort of our homes.

Here is my list of top 10 Tamil films that gave us entertainment, food for thought and much more.

Baaram: This national-award winning movie gives us a hard look into the horrendous practice of ‘thalaikoothal’ (a form of euthanasia performed on elderly people in parts of Tamil Nadu) and its political realities. The film tells us how the practice is forced on elders in a village in Tamil Nadu and its resulting large-scale consequences. With a fresh cast and relatable characters, Baaram hits us with moments that are both unexpected and heart-wrenching. Directed by Priya Krishnaswamy, the film saw a late release in February 2020.

Sethum Aayiram Pon: There is something about indie Tamil films that work in a visceral fashion. These films are all about raw emotions and play of words and Sethum Aayiram Pon is a perfect example. The plot revolves around an estranged relationship between a grandmother (an oppari singer) and a granddaughter (a makeup artist). Even as we grapple with the idea of death that is visible in all aspects of the film, Sethum Aayiram Pon gives us some punchy dialogues and strong characters. Anand Ravichandran is surely a director to watch out for.

Andhaghaaram: Andhaghaaram is director Vignarajan’s debut into the world of filmmaking. Taken in a visually appealing manner, Andhaghaaram is a supernatural thriller that ties different plot points with a common theme. Granted, the film’s length (nearly 3 hours) does not always work in its favour, but the right pauses and a good cast makes it a classy treat.

Psycho: Mysskin being Mysskin treats us with twists in places we never saw coming. Psycho is Mysskin’s tribute to Hollywood master filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. In this film, the director gives us a peek into the ‘human’ side of a serial killer who seeks out young women and kills and dismembers them. He gives us an extremely creepy back story to the ‘hero’s mannerisms and in the process attempts to provide redemption to a psycho killer. For fans of this director, Psycho does not disappoint. Music by Ilaiyaraaja is another plus and adds to the eeriness that is present throughout the film.

Oh My Kadavule: It has been a while since Tamil cinema gave us some good romcoms. Romcoms have recently been reduced to stalking a woman or people dancing around trees in far off exotic lands. At this point, Oh My Kadavule comes as a breath of fresh air. Smart, funny, and cute, this romcom is a breezy watch and is sure to leave you smiling after you finish watching it. Ritika Singh and Ashok Selvan star in a friends-turned-lovers story and the film has a well-made twist that adds spice to the drama. After the lovely Kanda Naal Muthal, Oh My Kadavule is easily one of the best romcoms in Tamil cinema in recent years. And watch out for Vijay Sethupathi in an amazing extended cameo.

Soorarai Potru: Suriya reigns supreme in this story based on Air Deccan founder GR Gopinath’s journey. It is heart-warming to see the actor act his heart out … and Soorarai Potru was Suriya’s outing through and through. Sudha Kongara gives us a story of passion, hard work and equality, as she lets us into the workings of an evenly balanced relationship between the two main leads. Aparna Balamurali fits her role perfectly as well. Soorarai Potru has its moments and though it might seem far-fetched at certain points, it is a solid drama with a good cast.

Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal: I did not know anything about KKK before I started watching it. And man… was I surprised. A technically-sound heist film that did a good job of tying loose ends, KKK is a well-made, intuitive movie with no-judgment acting. Directed by Desingh Periyasamy, the film stars Dulquer Salman and Ritu Varma as scamsters who go after one big last score together. Of course, you can find a few loopholes here and there, but overall it keeps us entertained and curious. And the twist with Gautam Menon in the end is inspired!

Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban: Directed by RDM, this film is one of the underdogs that slowly rose to fame. RDM gives us a harrowing account of what happens when a young man stands up to the system. As we get sucked into the chilling sequence of events, we witness the horrors of the police system in graphic detail. Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban is presented by Vetrimaaran and reminds us a bit of the director’s Visaranai.

Ka Pae Ranasingam: Aishwarya Rajesh scores in this drama about a wife trying to get the mortal remains of her husband from a foreign country. As we journey with the protagonist, every step hurts, and begs the question of justice for all in the midst of a problematic system. Director P. Virumaandi gives us a tale with strong characters and a climax that is particularly hard to digest. Taking such a nuanced topic with sensitivity and guts is a skill that Virumaandi has gained with the help of an amazing cast.

Paava Kadhaigal: This anthology finds a prime spot in my list due to its dignified and hard-hitting take on the term ‘honour’. The word is dealt with in four different ways by four different talented directors and the result is a film that hits too close to home. Of the four shorts, Vetrimaaran’s Oor Iravu, is packed with emotions and the climax is one of the most hard-hitting sequences in recent times. Vignesh Shivan came up with a typical quirky tale on love and honour and Sudha Kongara presents us with a heart-wrenching story of a transgender individual. Paava Kadhaigal gives us a reason to trust Tamil cinema more and more, even as we see nuanced directors working with incredibly sensitive topics on the OTT spectrum.

Other notable films:

Vaanam Kottattum, a breezy film produced by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies that had an ensemble cast and its moments.

Putham Pudhu Kaalai, the anthology film themed around the Covid lockdown that brought together an ensemble group of directors and actors.

Oru Pakka Kathai, Balaji Tharaneetharan’s (of Naduvula Konjam.. and Seethakaathi fame) long awaited film that finally saw the light of day thanks to OTT and had some terrific moments and a quirky premise.

Nasir, Arun Karthick’s gritty film that won accolades at the Rotterdam Film Festival and more critical acclaim when it was screened during the We Are One Film Festival (Online). We hope a larger public audience gets the chance to watch this gem of a film soon!