8 best Tamil films which were ahead of their time

Indian cinema has produced iconic films over the years that have left an indelible mark on viewers. These films have narrated stories and themes ahead of their time and withstood the test of time. On today’s List hai to hit hai we take a look at iconic Tamil films that have aged remarkably well and remain relevant and relatable even to this day

Minsara Kanavu (Lionsgate Play, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar)

Directed by Rajiv Menon, the 1997 romantic comedy Minsaara Kanavu features a stellar cast comprising Tamil cinema veterans Arvind Swamy and Prabhu Deva, and even Bollywood star Kajol. The plot follows the lives of two men who fall for a woman who has decided to become a nun, furnishing an inevitable love triangle. Despite receiving mixed reviews at the time of release, it has since become a cult classic and has garnered much praise for adapting a Hollywood-style rom-com in an Indian setting. The film’s Hindi dubbed version Sapnay also received much acclaim and Rahman’s melodious numbers from the soundtrack such as Awaara Bhanware and Ek Bagiya Mein were undisputed chart toppers.

Indian (Lionsgate Play, Eros Now)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest performances by the legendary Kamal Haasan, the 1996 action film Indian is one of the most popular vigilante stories ever created in Indian cinema. The plot revolves around a former freedom fighter called Senapathy who decides to moonlight as a vigilante in order to tackle the rising crime and corruption in society. While his intentions are noble, his methods and approach to seeking vengeance against the malicious and corrupt may be singularly violent. Let’s just say this film is not for the weak-hearted. Haasan plays a double role in the film, playing both Senapathy and his son Chandru. Perhaps, this was one of the early Haasan films which leaned on the use of prosthetics to transform a character’s age and appearance with much flourish. Directed by S. Shankar, the film remains one of the most compelling Tamil films from the ‘90s and features an ensemble cast of Nedumudi Venu, Sukanya, Manisha Koirala, and Urmila Matondkar

Kadhalan (Prime Video, Sun NXT, Eros Now)

The romantic action thriller, Kadhalan, may not be the most memorable film on this list in terms of delivering a compelling story, but it features some of the most iconic songs of Tamil cinema. Composed by A. R. Rahman, the film features a whopping nine songs including the iconic “Mukkala Mukkabla” and  “Urvasi Urvasi”.  Kadhalan stars Prabhu Deva and Nagma in lead roles in a tale of forbidden love and drama. The S. Shankar directorial continues to be revered as genre redefining classic.

Iruvar (Lionsgate Play, Prime Video)

Arguably the most acclaimed film on this list is the 1997 Mani Ratnam film Iruvar. The film is based on the lives of former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, and M. Karunanidhi. The film chronicles their lives from their early days in the Tamil film industry to their rise to power in state politics. Malayalam screen legend Mohanal essays the role of the fictionalised version of Ramachandran or popularly known as MGR, while Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan slips into the role of the fictionalised version of Jayalalithaa, and Prakash Raj plays the character that’s based on Karunanidhi. The film also features a supporting cast of Gautami, Revathi, Tabu, and Nassar. It is widely regarded as Mani Ratnam’s best film till date and has rightfully won multiple national and international accolades.

Michael Madana Kama Rajan (Lionsgate Play, Prime Video)

One of the biggest hits in Kamal Haasan’s career is the 1990 comedy Michael Madana Kama Rajan. The Tamil cinema legend plays the roles of the four titular characters, who are identical quadruplets separated at birth. When they finally meet as adults, it leads to much chaos and a comedy of errors. The Sangeetam Srinivasa Rao film also features Urvashi, Komal Mahuvakar, and Kushboo in prominent roles. The film became one of the most successful releases of the ‘90s and surely deserves to be rewatched even today.

Kannathil Muthamittal  (Lionsgate Play, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar)

The gripping war drama Kannathil Muthamittal, is yet another Mani Ratnam classic that has made this list. The film is based on the short story by Sujatha titled Amuthavum Avanum. It narrates the story of a young girl who asks her adoptive parents to take her to war-torn Sri Lanka to find her birth mother. The film stars R. Madhavan and Simran in lead roles while Keerthana Parthiepan essays the role of their adopted daughter. The film garnered up to 40 awards including six National Film Awards and if you haven’t watched it yet, add this one to your watchlist right away.

Bombay (Lionsgate Play, Prime Video, Netflix)

The 1995 romantic drama film, Bombay, tells the story of an interfaith couple who decide to move to Mumbai hoping for a better life in a more inclusive environment. Their dreams of a new life with their two children are shattered due to the rise in religious intolerance that leads to communal violence that wreaks havoc in Mumbai. Arvind Swami and Manisha Koirala essay the lead roles in this Mani Ratnam film. The film garnered praise for its nuanced depiction of socio-political issues plaguing society, and it remains relevant in these turbulent times.

Annamalai (Lionsgate Play, Prime Video)

Starring superstar Rajinikanth in the lead, the 1992 film Annamalai is an action drama directed by Suresh Krishna. The film also stars Kushboo and Sarath Babu in prominent roles and revolves around the friendship between the titular Annamalai, a milkman played by Rajinikanth, and Ashok, the son of a businessman. The plot takes a turn when the businessman, who disapproves of his son’s association with a milkman, decides to create a rift between the lifelong friends. The film is credited with reinventing Tamil cinema in the ‘90s with its pioneering storytelling devices which were embraced by several films that followed.

Well that's all the time we got for this episode of List hai toh hit hai , until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out

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Written by Ryan Gomez