Top 7 South Indian sci-fi Movies: From Thalapathy Vijay’s The GOAT, Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD to Rajinikanth’s 2.0 and more

As a cinephile who’s had the pleasure of traversing through the vibrant world of South Indian cinema, I must say that the sci-fi genre has been a thrilling exploration! From the time-bending adventures of Elango and Pulivetti in Indru Netru Naalai to the mind-boggling spectacle of 2.0, these films have left me spellbound. The intricate narratives, the thought-provoking themes, and the exceptional performances have made every minute worth it!


Regardless if you prefer romantic comedies, action-packed thrillers, or family-oriented dramas, the Southern film industry is renowned for its compelling narratives, imaginative scripts, and talented performers. In recent times, there’s been a growing interest among cinema enthusiasts towards South movies, especially their science fiction offerings.

If you’re on the hunt for exceptional science fiction films that will whisk you away to extraordinary realms and offer an unparalleled cinematic journey, look no further! Below is a handpicked list of the Top 7 Sci-fi Movies from South India, perfect for your binge-watching plans this weekend.

Top 7 South Indian sci-fi Movies

1. Kalki 2898 AD (2024)

  • Cast – Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, and Dishan Patani
  • Director – Nag Ashwin
  • Where to watch – Amazon Prime and Netflix

Discussing the standout South Indian science fiction films, it is impossible to overlook the Prabhas-led Kalki 2898 AD, which made a significant impact at the box office. Guided by director Nag Ashwin, this film undeniably transformed the way Indian cinema is viewed globally. In addition to Prabhas, Kalki 2898 AD features acting powerhouses like Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani in crucial roles.

In the narrative of Kalki 2898 AD, events unfold post the epic battlefield of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata, signifying the start of the Kali Yuga in the year 3102 BC. The story commences when Lord Krishna entrusts Ashwatthama with safeguarding his final incarnation.

The movie explores a world that’s been transformed 6000 years later, filled with dread. Most inhabitants live under the constant fear of a deity called Supreme Yaskin. However, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of an unborn child. Could this child be the solution to everyone’s troubles? Will the child survive and offer aid to people? To find out, catch the movie on Amazon Prime in various South languages or stream the Hindi dubbed version on Netflix.

2. The Greatest of All Time (2024)

  • Cast – Thalapathy Vijay, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Prashanth Thyagarajan, Prabhu Deva, Mohan, Sneha Prasanna, Premgi Amaren, and Yogi Babu
  • Director – Venkat Prabhu
  • Where to Watch: Yet to be released on OTT

Coming up next is the highly anticipated film “The Greatest of All Time,” starring Thalapathy Vijay. This movie was masterfully directed by Venkat Prabhu and premiered on September 5, 2024. The plot centers around a contented young field agent and spy living in Delhi with his wife and child. On holiday in Thailand, posing as a government employee, the man finds his peaceful life disrupted when circumstances force him to confront his past once more. However, this time, his ancestry works against him.

As an ardent admirer, I can confidently say that this movie embodies everything a Thalapathy Vijay production promises, making it an absolute must-see in the realm of South Indian sci-fi cinema. The film’s most captivating element is undeniably the exceptional acting of our beloved superstar, who masterfully portrays not one, but two roles – a father and son.

3. Maanaadu (2021)

  • Cast – Silambarasan TR, SJ Surya, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Premgi Amaren, Anjena Kirti, and Priyadarshan
  • Director – Venkat Prabhu
  • Where to watch – Sony LIV

Have you come across the concept known as a time loop? Imagine reliving the same stretch of time repeatedly. The next top 7 South Indian sci-fi films includes Maandaadu by Silambarasan TR. This film revolves around a man and a police officer who find themselves stuck in a time loop on the day of the chief minister’s public gathering. They try to break free, but are compelled to live that very day over and over again. Don’t miss out on this fantastic movie on Sony LIV.


4. Indru Netru Naalai (2015)

  • Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Miya George, Karunakaran, Arya , V. Jayaprakash, Bagavathi Perumal
  • Director: R. Ravikumar
  • Where to watch: Disney Hotstar

This impressive Tamil film, titled “Indru Netru Naalai,” has an IMDb rating of 8 out of 10. The narrative revolves around characters Elango and Pulivetti, who stumble upon a time machine and choose to exploit it for their advantage. However, altering the timeline lands them in hot water when they unintentionally prevent a gangster’s demise, leading to complications. “Indru Netru Naalai” was expertly directed by R. Ravikumar and premiered on June 26, 2015.

5. Kanam (2022)

  • Cast:  Sharwanand, Ritu Varma, Amala Akkineni, Ravi Raghavendra, and Nassar
  • Director: Shree Karthick
  • Where to watch: Sony LIV

Picture this scenario: A collaboration between a musician and a scientist to build a time machine with the aim of rectifying past errors. This concept serves as the basis for the Indian time travel movie “Kanam,” directed by Shree Karthick and produced by Dream Warrior Pictures. The film received favorable feedback from critics and was a box office success. Notably, the film featuring Sharwanand was filmed in Tamil and Telugu concurrently, with the Telugu version titled “Oke Oka Jeevitham.

6. 2.0 (2018)

  • Cast:  Rajinikanth, Amy Jackson, Akshay Kumar, Sudhanshu Pandey, Adil Hussain, Maya S Krishnan, Kalabhavan Shajohn
  • Director: S. Shankar
  • Where to watch: Sony LIV

2.0, released in 2018, is a thrilling 3D sci-fi action film in Tamil, helmed by director S. Shankar. He collaborated with B. Jeyamohan and Madhan Karky on the screenplay. This movie stars Rajinikanth in a unique triple role as Dr. Vaseegaran, Chitti the Robot, and Kutti. In his Tamil film debut, Akshay Kumar plays Pakshi Rajan, while Amy Jackson portrays Nila. The supporting cast includes Sudhanshu Pandey, Adil Hussain, Kalabhavan Shajohn, and K. Ganesh. If you’re a fan of Tamil sci-fi films, then 2.0 should definitely be on your watchlist.

7. Awe! (2018)

  • Cast:  Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen, Regina Cassandra, Eesha Rebba, Priyadarshi Pullikonda, Srinivas Avasarala, Murali Sharma 
  • Director: Prasanth Varma
  • Where to watch: Netflix

Among the top 7 South Indian sci-fi movies, I’d like to highlight a woman-centric film titled “Awe!” that holds a special place in my heart. The narrative revolves around a woman grappling with multiple personality disorder, a situation that leads her into complex predicaments as she assumes different roles mirroring various aspects of her life. Starring Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen, Regina Cassandra, Eesha Rebba, Priyadarshi Pullikonda, Srinivas Avasarala, and Murali Sharma, this film is the brainchild of director Prasanth Varma.

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2024-09-17 06:38