Indian Regional films includes Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi and Telugu films. These film uphold the Indian narrative as well as the deep-rooted cultural values together. They are known for original stories that explore regional music, themes like demigod(s) and goddess(es), cuisines etc.. Thereby, truly uncovering the India that sometimes hides in the shadows of massy, big-budget films of the mainstream cinema.
Here, we bring to you a list of 10 Indian regional films t hat you must see, as per IMDb ratings. Have a look:
It is a psychological thriller that revolves around the murder of a professor and how the students and the college management are shocked by it. As the cop investigate the matter, a lawyer seeks justice on behalf of the professor in the court. The main cast of the film includes Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mamta Mohandas and Suraj Venjaramoodu.
Language: Malayalam Year of Release: 2022 IMDb rating: 8.3/10
2. Chotushkone
This one’s a psychological thriller too. Four film directors are approched by an anonymous producer to make a film that will have four short stories by them. However, he gives them a particular theme around which their story should revolve. And the theme is Death. The film stars Aparna Sen, Goutam Ghose, Chiranjeet, and Parambrata Chaterjee.
Language: Bengali Year of Release: 2014 IMDb rating: 8.2/10
3. Belaseshe
It is a family drama built around a Bengali family. Belaseshe explores the intricacies of long term relationships that also include marriage and divorce. It is layered in emotions that stem from expectations, love, and companionship and how they affect these relations. Rituparna Sengupta, Swatilekha Sengupta, and Soumitra Chatterjee are the lead actors in the film.
Language: Bengali Year of Release: 2015 IMDb rating: 8.5/10
4. Asuran
Asuran is an action genre film. A hot headed farmer’s son from a humble background kills a rich, upper-cast landlord.How his father, who believes in non voilent ways of dealing with the things, saves his son’s life, is the rest of the story. The film stars Dhanush, Prakash Raj and Manju Warrier in prime roles
Language: Tamil Year of Release: 2019 IMDb rating: 8.4/10
5. Deool
It is a comedy drama film. A villager gets a vision of Lord Dattatreya. It makes him believes that god has arrived in his village. He announces this news in the village but no one believes his story. When this news reaches the politicians, things change for him, all of a sudden. The main cast of the film includes Nana Patekar, Jyoti Subhash, and Dilip Prabhawalkar.
Language: Marathi Year of Release: 2011 IMDb rating: 8.2/10
6. The Eunuch And The Flute Player
It is a romantic drama exploring the love between a trans woman and a male flute player. Also known as, Nagarkirtan, the film multiple National Film Awards in 2017. It casts Riddhi Sen, Bidipta Charkraborty, and Ritwick Chakraborty in lead roles. This is one of the must watch Indian regional films. Why? Because of its topic, which is inclusive and way ahead of its time.
Language: Bengali Year of Release: 2017 IMDb rating: 8.5/10
The film falls under romance as well as drama genre. Four brothers share a love-hate relationship. However, when life events demand that they put aside their hatred for each other and come together, their relationship strengthens on a deeper level. As we see them supporting their brother stand by his love. The film stars Fahadh Faasil, Shane Nigam and Shoubin Shahir in central roles.
Language: Malayalam Year of Release: 2019 IMDb rating: 8.5/10
8. #Home
It is a sweet and simple family drama. Oliver wants to be a better dad to his grown up sons. As he watches them spent more time on phone than family, he decides to be tech-savvy to gel with them better. The main cast of the film include Indrans, Sreenath Bhasi, and Manju Pillai.
Language: Malayalam Year of Release: 2021 IMDb rating: 8.7/10
9. Meiyazaghan
It is a drama film. A man meets someone from his hometown in a foreign city. They are completely different and yet share a bond that is truly inexplicable in words. It emphasises that good people and hope can exist even in dark times. The film stars Karthi, Sri Divyaand Arvind Swamy.
Language: Tamil Year of Release: 2024 IMDb rating: 8.5/10
It is a comedy film. An 80 year old man escapes his family’s plan to secretly euthanise him. He meets an orphan and explores the world with him. Ultimately, together they embark a journey to fill the old man’s last wishes. it stars Mu Ramaswamy, Arpudhanandham, and Nagavishal in central role.
Language: Tamil Year of Release: 2019 IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Looking at the content of these films, we find that some times they’re sombre, dark and other time funny and light. However, they are bold and realistic in approach, and dare to explore topics that shed light on the old, marginalised and tries to integrate them with the main community.
Have you explored Indian regional films before? If not, we expect you to do so. The above list can be a starting point or a guide to dwell upon.