Must watch South films in 2014

The much hyped sequel to last year’s blockbuster, Vishwaroopam 2, is a spy-thriller featuring Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Nassar, Waheeda Rahman, and Abhirami among others. It is expected to hit screens in Feb this year.

Acclaimed director Shankar’s yet another mega budget flick ‘Ai’ is a whodunit starring Chiyaan Vikram, Amy Jackson, Suresh Gopi, Santhanam, and Ramkumar Ganesan. The film will in all likelihood release on Apr 11.

Award winning cinematographer Ravi K Chandran’s debut directorial venture ‘Yaan’ stars Jiiva, Thulasi Nair, Premgi Amaren, Nassar, Prakash Raj, Thambi Ramaiah, and Jayaprakash. The film is expected to hit screens on Feb 21.

Director Gautham V Menon’s ‘Sattrendru Maarudhu Vaanilai’ stars Silambarasan, Bombay girl Pallavi Subhash and Sathish Krishnan among others. The film is expected to hit screens in April this year.

Director Lingusamy’s untitled film with Suriya is touted to be a commercial entertainer and will feature Samantha, Manoj Bajpai, Vidyut Jamwal and Rajpal Yadav. The film is likely to release in mid-2014.

The film directed by cinematographer Velraj stars Dhanush, Amala Paul, Saranya Ponvannan, Samuthirakani, and Sathish. ‘Velai Illa Pattadhari’ is expected to release in April this year.

‘Maan Karate’, which has story-screenplay penned by A R Murugadoss and directed by Thirukumaran, stars Sivakarthikeyan, Hansika, Vamsi Krishna, writer Shaji, and Sathish. The film will release in April this year.

'Pannaiyaarum Padminiyum’ is a comedy directed by debutant Arun Kumar starring Vijay Sethupathi, Jayaprakash, Iyshwarya Rajesh, and Neelima Rani. The film will open in theatres on Feb 07.

Dulquar Salman’s debut film in Tamil ‘Vaai Moodi Pesavum’ is a bilingual directed by Balaji Mohan of Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Eppadi fame. The film stars Nazriya Nazim opposite Dulquar. It is expected to release on Nov 19.

Jigarthanda’ directed by Karthik Subbaraj of ‘Pizza’ fame is an urban action drama starring Siddharth, Lakshmi Menon, Bobby Simha, Karuna, Prathap Pothen, and Soundara Rajan. The film will hit screens on Republic day (Jan 26).

Sippai, directed by Saravanan, is 'Kadal' fame Gautham Karthik's next film in Tamil. Lakshmi Menon is paired opposite Gautam. Yuvan Shankar Raja is scoring music for the film and the trailer has garnered wide attention from the fans and the industry. Looks like Gautam is on the right path.

‘Super Ranga’, a remake of the Telugu hit Kick, is a comedy caper directed by Sadhu Kokila starring Upendra and Kriti Kharabanda in the lead roles. The film is expected to release in December this year.

‘Brahma’, a period drama directed by Chandru, stars Upendra, Pranitha, Saiyyaji Shinde, Jaijagadish, Nazar, and Rahul Dev. The film traverses between present day and 16th century. Upendra will play a dreaded gangster and a warrior. The film is expected to release on Jan 17.

‘Manikya’ directed by Sudeep starring himself alongside Crazy Star Ravichandran and Ramya Krishnan is the remake of last years’ hit Telugu film ‘Mirchi’. The film will release on Jan 07.

Aryan is a sports drama directed by D. Rajendra Babu/ Chi Guru Dutt starring Shivarajkumar and Ramya in the lead roles. The film is expected to release in Feb this year.

Touted as an Akkineni family film, ‘Manam’, a comedy drama, will feature three generations of the Akkineni family - late Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Akkineni Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya. Shriya Saran, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Brahmanandam, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Posani Krishna Murali, and Vennela Kishore are also in the cast. The film directed by Vikram Kumar is slated for release on Oct 1.

'Rudhramadevi’ is a 3D period film based on the life and times of the 13th century queen, Rani Rudhramadevi. The film directed by Gunasekhar also features Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Krishnam Raju, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Baba Sehgal, Suman and Catherine Tresa. It is expected to release in June this year.

Naga Chaitanya and Samantha have been paired up again after their last successful outing ‘Ye Maaya Chesave’, for this political thriller. The film directed by Deva Katta also stars Rakul Preet Singh, Sai Kumar, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Brahmanandam. ‘Auto Nagar Surya’ will grace screens worldwide on Jan 30.

‘Janda Pai Kapiraju’ directed by Samuthirakani is an action thriller starring Nani, Amala Paul, Ragini Dwivedi, Sarathkumar, and Nassar among others. Nani will be seen in a dual role in the film. ‘Janda Pai Kapiraju’ is expected to release in March this year.

‘1 by Two’ is a psychological thriller directed By Arun Kumar Aravind starring Fahad Fazil, Honey Rose, Murali Gopy, and Abhinaya among others. Fahad Fazil will be seen playing a police officer for the first time. ‘1 by Two’ will hit screens in Feb.

‘How Old Are You’ scripted by the popular duo Bobby and Sanjay will see Kunchacko Boban and Manju Warrier opposite each other. Director Roshan Andrews will start filming from January and is expected to wrap it up by the end of this year.

7th Day directed by Syam Dhar will feature Prithviraj and Janani Iyer in the lead roles. One of the highlights of the film will be Prithviraj playing a 42-yr-old IPS officer. He will be seen sporting a salt &pepper look in the film. The film is expected to release in April this year.

Balyakalasakhi is the film adaptation of the Malayalam novel of the same name authored by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The novel which was originally published in 1944 was earlier adapted to screen by Sasikumar in 1964. Balyakalasakhi directed and scripted by Pramod Payyannur, will feature Mammooty and Isha Talwar in the lead roles.

Kunjali Marakkar is based on the life and times of the brave warrior Kunjali Marakkar, who fought against the Portuguese. Mammotty will play the titular role. Kunjali Marakkar, directed by Amal Neerad, will also feature Prithviraj in a pivotal role. This period drama is expected to hit screens by Aug 15 this year.