The Top Tamil Psychological Thriller of All Time
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- 1Kaadhal Kondein is a 2003 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film written and directed by Selvaraghavan, starring his brother Dhanush and newcomer Sonia Agarwal in lead roles, whilst newcomers Sudeep, Nagesh and Daniel Balaji play supporting roles. The film, which has music scored by noted musician Yuvan Shankar Raja and cinematography handled by Arvind Krishna, released on 4 July 2003, winning critical acclaim and becoming a commercial success upon release, and is considered as the breakthrough film of Dhanush that catapulted him into the main foray of lead actors in the Tamil film industry. The film was later remade in Bangladesh in 2004 as Onno Manush directed by Kazi Hayat starting Kazi Maruf, Shabnur and Shakil Khan. The film was later remade in Telugu in 2004, as Nenu with Allari Naresh and Veda replacing Dhanush and Sonia Agarwal, respectively. It has also been remade in Kannada in 2009, as Ravana with Yogeesh Hunsoor and Sanchita Padukone in the lead, and in Bengali in 2010, as Amanush starring Soham Chakraborty and Srabanti Malakar. The story explores the mind of a youth who is mentally and physically abused in his childhood.
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Selvaraghavan
- 2Anniyan is a 2005 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film written and directed by Shankar and produced by V. Ravichandran of Oscar Films. The film attempts to highlight increasing social apathy and public negligence. The plot centers on a disillusioned "everyman", whose frustrations at the sorry state of affairs leads him into developing a split personality which attempts to cleanse the system.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: S. Shankar
- 3Sigappu Rojakkal is a 1978 Tamil thriller film starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Directed by P. Bharathiraja, music by Ilaiyaraaja and cinematography by P. S. Nivas In an era of over-dramatised acting in Tamil films, Sigappu Rojakkal was one of the notable and the best exceptions. The film was a blockbuster and completed a 175-day run at the box office. The film won two Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor and Best Director categories. This film was also remade in Hindi as Red Rose
- Released: 1978
- Directed by: P. Bharathiraja
- 4Vaali is a 1999 Tamil thriller film written and directed by S. J. Suryah. The film stars Ajith Kumar in a dual role with Simran appearing in another leading role. The supporting cast of the film include Jyothika in her debut venture, Livingston and Vivek. The film's music is composed by the music director, Deva while Jeeva was in charge of the cinematography. The film released on 1 May 1999 to critical acclaim and went on to become a commercial success.
- Released: 1999
- Directed by: S. J. Surya
- 5
Moodu Pani
Shobha, Pratap K. Pothen, Bhanu ChanderMoodu Pani is a 1980 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film directed by Balu Mahendra and produced by Raja Cine Arts. The film stars Shobha and Prathap Pothan in the lead roles, while N. Viswanathan, Bhanu Chander and Mohan appear in supporting roles. It is based on the novel Idhuvum Oru Viduthalai Thaan by Rajendra Kumar, and draws inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 thriller film Psycho. The film's music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while director Balu Mahendra handled the cinematography as well. Moodu Pani tells the story of a man who has a strong hatred towards prostitutes, and would kill any such woman who he encounters. The film was critically acclaimed and commercially successful upon release, with Prathap Pothan receiving wide praise for his performance. Although no print of the film is in existence currently, it is still sold on DVD's, but rare on stock.- Released: 1980
- Directed by: Balu Mahendra
- 6Manmadhan is a 2004 Tamil romantic thriller film directed by Silambarasan and A.J. Murugan. Silambarasan wrote the story, screenplay and co-dialog along with Balakumaran as well as playing the lead title role. The film has Jyothika enacting the lead female role, Goundamani, Sindhu Tolani, Atul Kulkarni and Santhanam playing supporting roles and guest appearances by Mandira Bedi as a psychologist, Brinda Parekh as playgirl and Yana Gupta as a club dancer. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film released on 11 November 2004 and was later dubbed in Telugu as Manmadha.The film was declared Blockbuster at the box office at the end of a 275 days theatrical run.
- Released: 2004
- Directed by: Silambarasan, A J Murugan
- 7
Aasai
Ajith Kumar, Prakash Raj, S. J. SuryaAasai is a 1995 Tamil romantic thriller film directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam The film featured Ajith Kumar and Suvalakshmi, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva and a popular soundtrack by Deva. Upon release, the film won positive reviews and went on to become a blockbuster, completing a 285-day run at the box office. The film was remade in Bollywood with Rajesh Khanna and Mohnish Bahl as Pyaar Zindagi Hai in 2001.- Released: 1995
- Directed by: Vasanth
- 8Nadunisi Naaygal is a 2011 Tamil psychological thriller film written and directed by Gautham Menon that stars Sameera Reddy, Veera Bahu and Deva in lead roles, with Swapna Abraham, Ashwin Kakumanu and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in other pivotal roles. The film notably has no score, instead featuring sounds designed by Renganaath Ravee. Produced by Photon Kathaas Productions and R. S. Infotainment, Nadunissi Naaygal released on 18 February 2011, simultaneously dubbed and released in Telugu as Erra Gulabilu. The title Nadunisi Naaygal is taken from the title of a poem of Sundara Ramasamy. The film received mixed reviews from both audience and critics.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Gautham Menon
- 9Julie Ganapathi is a 2003 South Indian motion picture. It is a remake of the 1990 American horror film Misery, itself an adaptation of the Stephen King novel.
- Released: 2003
- Directed by: Balu Mahendra
10Kadhalil Vizhunthen
Sunaina, Sampath, NakulKadhalil Vizhunthen is a 2008 Indian Tamil film written and directed by P. V. Prasad starring Nakul and Sunaina. The film has music by Vijay Antony, cinematography by S.D. Vijay Milton and editing by V. T. Vijayan. The shooting for the film started in August 2007 and the film was released in September 2008. The film was distributed by Kalanithi Maran, the managing director of Sun Network and the son of politician Murasoli Maran and released on September 2008. The song Nakka Mukka, a kuthu song and Thozhiya.., a melodious romantic song were very successful hits composed by young music director Vijay Antony and was one of the main reasons of the film's success. Nakka Mukka was played in the opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup 2011 held at Mirpur, Bangladesh. It also featured among a medley of Tamil songs performed by Shah Rukh Khan and Shriya Saran in the inaugural of the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League 2011 held at Chennai, India. These sensational music scores by Vijay Antony also made him popular. The use of Rihanna's "Unfaithful" with Tamil lyrics as "Unakkena Naan Yenakkena Nee" displeased many of the film's audience. The film was remade in Oriya as Diwana.- Released: 2008
- Directed by: P.V. Prasad
- 11
Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal
Amala Paul, N. Santhanam, RojaMuppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal is a 2012 Tamil romantic thriller film directed by Elred Kumar starring Atharvaa and Amala Paul in the lead roles, while Jayaprakash, Anupama Kumar, Santhanam, Yashika and Nassar played supporting roles. The music was scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar. The film opened to mixed reviews and performed averagely at the box office. The film was later also filmed at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in a non-award ceremony, winning acclaim. It was dubbed into Telugu as Nirantharam Nee Oohalo- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Elred Kumar Santhanam
- 12
18 Vayasu
Rohini, Gayathri, Yuvarani18 Vayasu is a 2012 Indian Tamil psychological thriller film written and directed by R. Panneerselvam starring the actor known as Johnny. Gayathrie plays the lead female role. The music is by Charles Bosco. It has also Dubbed in Hindi under the Title "Anokha Jaanwar".- Released: 2012
- Directed by: R. Panneerselvam
