Dear movie fans,
I have to be honest. Before meeting my husband, I had barely watched 3 or 4 Indian films and was highly judgmental.
Why? One, they were extremely long for my taste. The second reason was the musical part (I’m not into random choreographies in the middle of films), and the third was plain prejudice.
Even with my limited knowledge, I knew something called “Bollywood” existed. That’s all I could understand until Aswin took me inside the Indian Cinema Industry, especially Kollywood.
Honestly, my brain couldn’t handle it at the moment. There’s Bollywood for Hindi language, Kollywood for Tamil, Tollywood for Telugu, and Mollywood for Malayalam. Don’t ask me more because I don’t know yet.
So, yep, this entry is all about our Kollywood favorites, and it includes a sweet bonus to check if we share film tastes.
Ready? Lights, camera, action! 🎬
Super Deluxe (2019)
My all-time favorite Tamil movie!! ✨
It is a rollercoaster of emotions presented in different stories. It explores themes of guilt, sexuality, redemption, and societal norms in surprising and thought-provoking ways. The film balances dark comedy with intense drama, making it my number one on the list.
Leo (2023)
Leo is for you if you love action-packed movies with a strong lead. Starring the famous Vijay, this movie is full of stylish action sequences and twists following a coffee shop owner pursued by gangsters. Plus, the music by Anirudh Ravichander is a banger. 🔥
Love Today (2022)
Want a romantic comedy with a twist? Love Today is a romance with a dose of reality, exploring the modern dating scene with humor and heart.
A couple who dated secretly is found by the girl's father and asked to swap their phones to prove their love. It's fresh, fun, and relatable, especially if you navigate love in the digital age. 🤳
Madrasapattinam (2010)
Madrasapattinam is a beautiful period drama set during the British occupation of India. It was one of the first five Indian films I watched, and I truly enjoyed it.
This movie tells the love story between a British woman and an Indian man, set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence. The visuals and music will transport you to another era. 💌
Pariyerum Perumal (2018)
Do you want to get serious? This drama explores the deeply rooted issues of caste discrimination and social injustice in India.
Pariyerum Perumal is raw and emotional and a must-watch for its honest portrayal of the struggles faced by some marginalized communities in the country.
I recommend it, but I can’t watch it again. 🥲
Paava Kadhaigal (2020)
Technically, this one's an anthology, but it’s too good not to include! Paava Kadhaigal comprises four short films, each dealing with taboo subjects like honor, love, and family dynamics in a conservative society.
The story of the young girl, oh no. It’s too hard even to bring it back to my memory. However, the movie is so gripping and intense that it will definitely leave you thinking. 💔
Bonus: Avvai Shanmugi (1996)
I asked my husband for a Tamil classic, and guess what… I LOVED IT! Even the nonsense fighting, lol. Avvai Shanmugi is a hilarious comedy about a man who disguises himself as an elderly woman to be closer to his daughter after a divorce.
Kamal Haasan's performance as both the father and the elderly woman is a masterclass, and the movie’s clever humor makes it a timeless favorite.
I hope you can watch it with someone who understands the context or the language to clarify cultural differences. 👵
Conclusion
Kollywood is full of gems; these movies are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you're looking for drama, romance, action, or social commentary, Tamil cinema has something for everyone.
Happy watching! 😉
Warm hugs,
Luisa Dahianna
About the Author
Luisa Trujillo is one half of Masala. She's a dreamer, believer, and achiever from a cozy coffee farm in Risaralda, Colombia. Being in an intercultural and interreligious relationship with an Indian 16,000 km away since 2019, she has gained a fair bit of insight into love, travel, and culture.
In her other life, Luisa has been a Coffee Grower, Digital Marketer, English as a Foreign Language Teacher, and Translator with a bachelor's degree in Modern Languages. Thanks to the latter, she is now fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has basic knowledge of Portuguese, Japanese, and Russian.
Relationships, coffee, languages, and a thousand miles later, she decided to start a community online to share her experience through Masala of Cultures along with her other half, Aswin.
Luisa's insights can also be found on other parts of the internet, including NVCC.
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