Coming Soon: 20 Films From The South to Look Forward to in 2024

A glimpse at the lineup of Sankranti and Pongal releases in 2024 tells us what this year has in store. The likes of Guntur Kaaram, Saindhav and Captain Miller do promise an action-packed festival weekend and films such as Abraham Ozler and Ayalaan hint at some mystery. 2024 seems to have a touch of myth and magic along with the usual action-centric narratives with films like Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD and Suriya’s Kanguva. While Vikram’s Thangalaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Aadujeevitham add rooted, historical tales to the calendar, the year is also one for much-awaited sequels (and prequels) — Pushpa 2, Indian 2 and Kantara 1. 

Apart from the Sankranti films, here are 20 South Indian films we look forward to in 2024.

Kalki 2898 AD (Telugu)

Nag Ashwin's third feature film is one of the biggest productions shaping up in India right now, featuring a massive ensemble cast comprising Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Pasupathy, to name a few. From the little promotional material we have seen so far, Kalki 2898 AD looks like a marriage of mythology and dystopian sci-fi, promising an adventure to look out for. The makers have been revealing glimpses of what goes into the creation of the film's world from scratch and just know that something gigantic is brewing.

Pushpa: The Rule (Telugu)

Do we have to explain WHY we are excited about this? Pushparaj's ambitions, villains, and challenges are all set to grow multifold in this highly anticipated sequel, which means we will see his swag, heroism, and victories also burgeon in direct proportion. Another round of intense battle between Pushpa and Fahadh Faasil's menacing Bhanwar Singh is all set to unfold on August 15. Hailing from Sukumar, whose pedantic approach to writing and directing has always given us films that are packed with moments of brilliance, Pushpa: The Rule is also the filmmaker's biggest project to date, not just in terms of scale but in terms of ambition. Is there anyone who isn’t excited for this one?

OG (Telugu)

OG, directed by Sujeeth, is Pawan Kalyan's first original film in 6 years. Isn't that enough to be excited about? If anything, the film's first promo set the tone perfectly for a bloody actioner and we are up for Pawan Kalyan slaying the bad guys on the big screen.

Devara (Telugu)

Jr NTR teams up with Koratala Siva for Devara after his career-defining act in RRR (2022). The expectations, and consequentially, the pressure to deliver can't be higher but we have faith in the filmmaker, who is hungry for success, post the failure of his previous film, Acharya (2022). Set in the forgotten coastal lands of India, fear is the emotion anchoring this story, the filmmaker stated at the film's official launch and we cannot wait to see how this idea plays out on the big screen.

Vettaiyan (Tamil)

After the massive success of Jailer, Rajinikanth’s next film is Vettaiyan. But there is more reason to root for this film. It is helmed by TJ Gnanavel who gave us the hard-hitting Jai Bhim (2021). Besides having an ensemble cast comprising Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Dushara Vijayan and Manju Warrier, the film also sees Rajinikanth reunite with Amitabh Bachchan after 32 years (they were last seen together in Hum (1991)). 

Indian 2 (Tamil)

The return of Kamal Haasan’s Senapathy is all that Tamil audiences need to feel stoked for 2024. A sequel to the 1996 hit film Indian, the vigilante drama is mounted on an even bigger canvas and the cast includes Siddharth, SJ Suryah, Vivek and several others. Similar to the original film, Haasan is said to play dual roles in Indian 2 as well. The film has music by Anirudh Ravichander. 

Thangalaan (Tamil)

Two people known for their craft — Pa Ranjith and Chiyaan Vikram — have teamed up to reportedly tell a story based on real events in the lost city of gold. Set in the KGF mines during pre-independent India, the film seems to be centred around a tribal community and a group of Britishers who search for gold in the mines. Thangalaan marks Parvathy Thiruvothu’s return to Kollywood, and also features Pasupathy and Malavika Mohanan. Filled with gold and blood, the promotional material promises a raw and rustic period drama that is slated to hit the screens in the last week of January.

Vidaa Muyarchi (Tamil)

Directed by Magizh Thirumeni of Thadam (2019) fame, there aren’t many details known about this Ajith outing, at least not officially. For all we know now, the film will co-star Trisha, Regina Cassandra and Arjun. As we await more updates to unfold, the reunions of the lovely Yennai Arindhaal (2015) pair and the terrific Mankatha (2011) duo are sufficient reasons to keep us excited.

Kanguva (Tamil)

Suriya plays a tribal warrior in this historical saga, which is a detour for director Siva known for his family dramas. It is a very important film for Siva, considering his previous outing Annaatthe didn’t hit the right notes. Said to be one of the most expensive productions in Indian cinema, the film will feature Suriya in six different roles and mark the Tamil debut of actors Disha Patani and Bobby Deol. Kanguva is expected to hit the screens this year in 3D and IMAX formats.

GOAT (Tamil)

Vijay joining hands with Venkat Prabhu to make a fantasy action film is enough info to pique our interest. And to top it off the movie is titled The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) with its New Year special posters revealing its star decked up in two avatars; an older and a younger Vijay. The film will have music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Not to forget that GOAT will also see Sneha and Vijay reunite after the romantic hit Vaseegara (2003). The film also stars Meenakshi Chaudhary, Prabhu Deva, Prashanth, Laila, Vaibhav, Jayaram and others. 

Aadujeevitham (Malayalam)

Aadujeevitham is arguably one of the most awaited Malayalam films of the decade, and it’s no exaggeration. Director Blessy and Prithviraj Sukumaran began the initial works for the film back in 2008-09 and the film’s progress was delayed due to budget constraints. This adaptation of Benyamin’s best-selling book of the same name is a testament to a director and actor sticking to their conviction for a project over a decade. It is a survival drama about a hapless Malayalee immigrant, who is deceived into a harsh, brutal life of rearing goats in a desert with no escape in sight. The film is also special as it marks AR Rahman’s return to Malayalam cinema.

Aavesham (Malayalam)

Following the blockbuster success of his debut outing Romancham (2023), director Jithu Madhavan pulled a blinder by casting Fahad Faasil in his second directorial as an action hero. The project is bankrolled by Anwar Rasheed Productions known for its impeccable hit ratio. Aavesham is expected to be set within a college campus and deal with a gangster who is recruited by the students to handle an ongoing ego tussle provided all action takes place outside the campus premises. The initial sneak peeks and the first look poster hint at an out-and-out entertainer with action and comedy.

Barroz (Malayalam)

This fantasy adventure is the directorial debut of legendary actor Mohanlal, who is also playing the lead role in the film. It narrates the story of Barroz, a good-spirited warrior who doubles up as the guardian of Vasco da Gama's hidden treasure. The project financed by Aashirwad Cinemas is an international outing that makes use of many technicians and artists from outside India and is touted to be one of the most expensive Malayalam films made to date. The film penned by Jijo Punnoose also features Shayla McCaffrey, Sara Vega and Unni Mukundan in other important roles.

Ajayante Randam Moshanam (Malayalam)

One hero, three timelines, three identities — this seems to be the basic plot conceit of Tovino Thomas’ tentpole outing Ajayante Randam Moshanam. Directed by debutant Jithi Lal, the high-budget project is an artistic gamble with major part of the post-production being spent on the visual effects and CGI portions in an industry known for its stripped-down, minimalist storytelling. Ajayante Randam Moshanam also features Krithi Shetty, Sathyaraj and Kayadu Lohar. The film will be released in 3D format.

Bramayugam (Malayalam)

Social media was taken over by the first-look poster of Bramayugam, a horror thriller which featured a still of Superstar Mammootty, smiling devilishly at the camera in pitch monotone black and white. The unsettling image was the first bit of the puzzle to come out of this dream collaboration between director Rahul Sadashivan of horror mystery Bhoothakalam (2022) fame and Mammootty. The project titled Bramayugam is expected to be a Robert Eggers-inspired take on a horror myth from ancient Kerala history, revolving around a haunted bungalow. Bramayugam also features Arjun Ashokan and Siddrath Bharathan.

Max (Kannada)

Kichca Sudeep was last seen in the action-adventure film Vikrant Rona, where he played a heroic forest officer trying to find the root cause of a mystery in a haunted town. Now, the star returns to the big screen as an anti-hero in debutant Vijay Karthikeyan's action thriller Max. The film's title teaser was released to much fanfare and the film is said to be in its final stages of production. It also stars Samyuktha Hornad,Kamaraj, Sukrutha Waghle, and Anirudh Bhat.

UI (Kannada)

Real star Upendra returns to the director's chair after almost a decade to mess with our minds in the upcoming sci-fi film UI. The film is said to have a post-apocalyptic setting. True Upendra's brand, none of the teasers or promotion materials hint clearly about the film’s central idea. He notoriously released an audio-only teaser a few months back, which indicated a lost protagonist amidst miles of darkness and danger. The film is touted to have its first glimpse released soon and will hopefully see a release this year. 

Kantara: Chapter 1 (Kannada)

After delivering one of the biggest hits of 2022, Rishab Shetty quickly went to work on a sequel/prequel to his divine thriller Kantara. The film recently went on floors after the makers released a teaser. Set during the era of the Kadambas, the period film is said to explore the time of Shiva's (The protagonist of Kantara) father. The film is again produced by Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Films and will see Rishab Shetty star and direct the film, which he has co-written with Anirudh Mahesh and Shanil Guru.

Bhairathi Ranagal (Kannada)

After months of teases that director Narthan would be working with actor Yash in his follow-up to the KGF franchise, it was revealed that the actor chose to go with Geetu Mohandas' Toxic. Narthan then announced a prequel of his hit debut Mufti with Dr Shivarajkumar reprising his role as Bhairathi Ranagal. Produced by Geetha Shivarajkumar, Bhairathi Ranagal, the actor’s 125th film would see the legendary character's origin story. It also stars Rukmini Vasanth and Rahul Bose in pivotal roles. 

Uttarakanda (Kannada)

Dhananjaya as always seems to have a busy year in 2024. His films Zebra, Pushpa 2: The Rule, and Anna from Mexico are all in various stages of production. Amidst these, a project that has been in the making for a while now is the gangster drama Uttarakanda. Announced in 2023, the film is directed by Rohit Padakki who helmed Ratnan Prapancha. The film is produced by Karthik Gowda and Yogi G Raj under the KRG Productions banner. It stars Ramya, marking her comeback in Kannada cinema and Dr Shivarajkumar in a pivotal role.