As a connoisseur of cinematic experiences, I’ve always found documentary films to be a fascinating and essential component of the vibrant tapestry that is South Indian cinema. These films provide an intriguing peek into the less celebrated facets of life, offering a balanced perspective that deserves equal attention from viewers.
Without further ado, here are 9 of the best South Indian documentary movies you can stream on OTT.
9 Best South Indian documentary movies to watch on OTT
Curry and Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case
- Director: Christo Tomy
- Streaming on: Netflix
The True Crime Documentary Series ‘Curry and Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case’ delves into a perplexing sequence of six unexplained deaths within a single family spanning 14 years. At its core lies the enigma of 47-year-old Jolly Joseph, who initially stood as the main suspect and subsequently admitted to using cyanide in these fatal incidents.
The Hunt for Veerappan
- Director: Selvamani Selvaraj
- Streaming on: Netflix
The Hunt for Veerappan is a gripping true-crime documentary that delves into both familiar and hidden tales surrounding the infamous Indian outlaw, Veerappan. A menacing figure who was known as a terrorist, poacher, and smuggler, he carried out his illicit activities in the woodlands of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Dreaming of Words
- Director: Nandan
- Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
The narrative focus of Dreaming of Words revolves around the life and achievements of acclaimed lexicographer Njattyela Sreedharan. Remarkably, this individual, who only completed the fourth grade, is responsible for creating the first-ever dictionary that seamlessly connects four Dravidian languages.
Against The Tide
- Director: Sarvnik Kaur
- Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
2023’s Against the Tide is a compelling documentary that provides a close-up view of the daily lives of two fishermen from a disadvantaged caste group. The film delves into their hardships as they navigate through the complexities and swift pace of urban existence.
Ladies and Gentlewomen
- Director: Malini Jeevarathnam
- Streaming on: YouTube
In a different phrase, the Tamil documentary titled “Ladies and Gentlewoman” delves into the themes of love and relationships as experienced within the lesbian community. It chronicles the lives of a lesbian couple residing in Rajasthan and juxtaposes their love narrative with an ancient story from Tamil folklore. Furthermore, the film includes various viewpoints from members of the LGBTQ+ community, providing a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the topic.
Dhoolpet Ganesha
- Director: Anantha Perumal
- Streaming on: IMDb
The Telugu film “Dhoolpet Ganesha” narrates the tale of a humble, underprivileged group residing in South India who passionately celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival each year. It emphasizes their exclusive customs and unique approach to celebrating the festival as a minority within the state.
Nilgiris – A Shared Wilderness
- Director: Sandesh Kadur
- Streaming on: YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6mlelWVyiA
Nilgiris – A Collective Sanctuary”
This documentary delves into the extraordinary bond between mankind and nature in the Nilgiris district. It underscores the adaptability of wild animals in a swiftly evolving ecosystem, while emphasizing how humans live harmoniously within this pristine ecological habitat.
21 Months of Hell
- Director: Yadu Vijayakrishnan
- Streaming on: YouTube
2017’s documentary, “21 Months of Hell,” sheds light on the less publicized forms of torment employed by Indian law enforcement during the Emergency era (1975).
The Elephant Whisperers
- Director: Kartiki Gonsalves
- Streaming on: Netflix
The Elephant Whisperers is a movie that follows the journey of a pair, Bomman and Bellie, from South India who have dedicated their lives to nurturing a young, orphaned elephant named Raghu. The film emphasizes the extraordinary bond between humans and elephants, illustrating how this relationship goes beyond the ties of blood.
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2025-05-21 13:53