2025 has been an interesting year for Tamil cinema. There have been no film releases for Vijay, whose next film ‘Jana Nayagan’ is awaiting release in early 2026. The much anticipated collaboration between director Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth was a middling disappointment. Dhanush released two films as director, neither of which show much improvement in his trajectory as a writer. Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan’s reunion following their 1987 classic ‘Nayakan’ was unanimously panned by critics and audiences alike. In the midst of all this negativity, there were a few releases which act as a silver lining to an otherwise lacklustre year of film.
10) Madharasi
AR Murugadoss broke his decade streak of weak films with this year’s ‘Madharaasi’ starring Sivakarthikeyan, Rukmini Vasanth and Vidyut Jammwal. Murugadoss follows his usual Shankar inspired formula of focussing on a social issue for the main plot (in this case, gun culture in India) whilst weaving a romantic plot for the protagonist’s character development. The action setpieces are the main highlight in this film, pushing the industry’s fight scenes in the right direction. Murugadoss’s safe bet has somewhat worked to reclaim his recently shaky credibility.
9) Bison
There is a certain strand of filmmakers whose weakest films still manage to trump many others’ best. Mari Selvaraj firmly belongs in that category. Although Bison never quite loses the ‘underdog sports drama’ tropes, there is enough quality here to secure a place in the year end top ten. The motif of the lifelong running from one’s situation is perhaps the film’s strongest point, with Dhruv Vikram’s quiet portrayal of the central character carrying this film across the finish line.
8) Kudumbasthan
K Manikandan continues his unique brand of indie charm with this year’s ‘Kumbasthan’ a family comedy-drama about a man who routinely bites off more than he can chew. With a fantastic ensemble cast of Saanve Megghana, R Sundararajan and Guru Somusundaram (and a special mention to Nivedita Rajappan who may have had the funniest comedy moment of the year), ‘Kudumbasthan’ recaptures the essence of the great family comedies of the 1980s and 1990s.
7) Dragon
Pradeep Ranganathan has repeatedly been proving himself one to watch. ‘Dragon ', released earlier this year, continues the director turned actor’s ability to connect with the younger end of his audience. This comedy drama about the downsides of cutting corners is engaging throughout, and manages to pack a message into its film in a fun way.
6) Kaantha
Although Kaantha is not without its flaws, the stronger aspects of the film are truly great. A dive into what is perhaps the Tamil film industry’s biggest blight - the Tamil hero who must always be conscious of what their fans want. The power struggle between Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani in the first half of the film is gleefully dark as we watch two men drunk on their own egos constantly stuck in a game of one-upmanship. Bhagyashri Bhorse is fantastic too, as the newcomer actress caught in the middle.
5) Dude
Perhaps the most polarising film of the year, ‘Dude’ sees Pradeep Ranganathan end the year as he started. What is often being understated - perhaps due to the controversy of the subject matter - is the quality of the craft of this film. The cinematography is fun and zany, the film’s texture feels rich due to the highly saturated colour grading. The plot constantly keeps the viewer guessing with its multiple twists. Sai Abhyankkar’s debut soundtrack lands with as much noise as Anirudh’s debut thirteen years ago, with a list of infectious tunes and melodies. If the release of ‘Love Insurance Kompany’ had not been postponed this year, Ranganathan may have had a hattrick of hits on his hands.
4) Paranthu Po
One of the best directors in the Tamil industry returns with a film that completely goes against what he is usually known for. ‘Paranthu Po’ is director Ram’s fifth film, centring on the relationship between a father and his son. The film is deceptively simple with its tone of childlike wonder and limited attention span, reminding the audience to never lose sight of the joy of the journey. An extremely light-hearted and wholesome film, ‘Paranthu Po’ is a wondrous feat.
3) Bad Girl
Varsha Bharath’s directorial debut ‘Bad Girl’ shows a lot of promise. A realistic and relatable tale of the second act in one’s life, the film injects the story with its own dose of magic. Equal parts emotional and funny, ‘Bad Girl’ is a much needed departure from the usual formula in Tamil cinema.
2) Thug Life
Criminally misunderstood and massively overlooked, ‘Thug Life’ proves once again that Kamal Haasan may still be at least a decade ahead of his audience. A wonderfully abstract ball of contradictions, ‘Thug Life’ works on layers and levels which seems to have flown over most people’s heads. There is something swansong-like to the film, a desperate meta plea for course correction in the industry and also acts as a blueprint on how to write films. It is ironically fitting that one of the best Kamal Haasan films in recent times has been dismissed on such a huge scale; as usual, it is only a matter of time until the re-appraisals happen a little too late.
1) Retro
Once again, Karthik Subbaraj releases a film, and it is the best of the year. Following the best film of his career so far - 2023’s ‘Jigarthanda DoubleX’ - Subbaraj released ‘Retro’ this year starring Suriya. At once a pastiche and homage of the masala films of the 1980s, a much needed commentary on toxic masculinity and an exploration of collective generational trauma, ‘Retro’ deftly holds various strands and pulls off the impossible by having it all come together in the end. Subbaraj has mastered the trick of having his cake and eating it too.