South movies set to showcase at Indian Panorama for IFFI 2024: Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Aadujeevitham to Prabhas starrer Kalki 2898 AD

As a cinephile who has traversed the vast expanse of celluloid dreams for many years, I must say that this list presents a captivating tapestry of stories and characters from across the Indian subcontinent. Each film offers a unique perspective, showcasing the richness and diversity of our cinema.


From November 20th to 28th, 2024, the International Film Festival of India will unfold in the beautiful state of Goa. A plethora of movies from around the globe will be on display.

The Randeep Hooda-led film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar will kick off the festival, and this year, several movies from the South are joining the Indian Panorama. Here’s a comprehensive list of the upcoming South films to be showcased in the 55th edition of the film festival:

South movies set to screen at Indian Panorama of IFFI 2024:

1. Aadujeevitham (Malayalam)

  • Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, KR Gokul, Amala Paul, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Shobha Mohan, Talib Al Balushi 
  • Director: Blessy
  • IMDb rating: 7.1/10

In simpler terms, “Aadujeevitham” or “The Goat Life” is a survival drama where Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the main character. The story unfolds based on a book with the same title. It’s about Najeeb, a man who goes to Saudi Arabia to work as a laborer, aiming to make money for his loved ones back home.

As a follower, I find myself ensnared in a deception, forced into servitude, tending goats amidst the barren expanse of a desert wasteland, devoid of any means to better my circumstances. The narrative unfolds, shedding light on the resilience and determination of an individual as he battles his adversities and ultimately finds a way to break free from his misery. This compelling tale is inspired by the real-life experiences of a man who endured such hardships.

2. Jigarthanda DoubleX (Tamil)

  • Cast:  Raghava Lawrence, SJ Suryah, Nimisha Sajayan, Ilavarasu, Sathyan, Naveen Chandra, Shine Tom Chacko, Aravind Akash
  • Director: Karthik Subbaraj
  • IMDb rating: 8/10

As an ardent admirer, I’m bursting with excitement about “Jigarthanda DoubleX” starring the remarkable Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah! This Tamil action-thriller takes us back to the 1970s and follows a young man who aspires to be a policeman, tragically finding himself falsely imprisoned in a criminal case. It’s the prequel to the 2014 blockbuster “Jigarthanda,” promising an enthralling journey of justice, power, and redemption!

In a second chance at life, I find myself tasked with bringing down a ruthless crime lord, but this time, instead of wielding a weapon, I’m armed with a camera and a script. The film I direct becomes the stage for my mission, with its outcome hanging in the balance as I navigate through the dangerous world of organized crime.

3. Bramayugam (Malayalam)

  • Cast: Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, Amalda Liz, Manikandan R Achari
  • Director: Rahul Sadasivan
  • IMDb rating: 7.8/10

The film “Bramayugam” with Mammootty as the main character is a chilling tale of horror rooted in Malayalam folklore, set during the 17th century in Malabar. Fleeing from the Portuguese slave trade, a troubadour stumbles upon an old estate (a traditional manor).

As soon as he arrives, he’s warmly greeted by the landlord who provides him with food and a room for the night. But it doesn’t take long for the musician to sense that there’s something eerie about this house, finding himself trapped in the grip of a malevolent spirit lurking around him.

4. 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu (Telugu)

  • Cast:  Nivetha Thomas, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Vishwadev Rachakonda, Gautami, K Bhagyaraj
  • Director: Nanda Kishore Emani
  • IMDb rating: 7.8/10

35-Chinna Katha Kaadu is a movie that delves into my world, where I, as a mother, am grappling with my son’s struggle to barely pass his exams. The narrative unfolds as our family embarks on an arduous journey to help him succeed, revealing the depth of our resilience and unity in the face of adversity.

5. Manjummel Boys (Malayalam)

  • Cast: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman
  • Director: Chidambaram
  • IMDb rating: 8.2/10

In simpler terms, “Manjummel Boys” is a suspenseful film filled with thrilling action, starring Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi as the main characters. The plot revolves around a true event that happened in 2006, involving a group of friends who embark on a trip to Kodaikanal for a relaxing vacation.

To catch a glimpse of the notorious Guna Caves, also known as the Devil’s Kitchen, one of their companions unluckily finds himself stuck within. For the remainder of the film, we follow the group as they join forces in an effort to save their trapped friend.

6. Kerebete (Kannada)

  • Cast: Gowrishankar SRG, Bindu Shivaram, Harini Shreekanth, Gopal Krishna Deshpande
  • Director: Rajguru
  • IMDb rating: 9.1/10

The movie “Kerebete” is a heartfelt drama centered around Gowrishankar and Bindu Shivaram as the main characters. This film revolves around an annual fishing festival named Kerebete, which takes place in a village located in Karnataka. Although this event is known for uniting the community, it’s the blossoming yet contentious relationship that arises from it that forms the crux of the story and its unfolding events.

7. Level Cross (Malayalam)

  • Cast: Asif Ali, Amala Paul, Sharaf U Dheen, Lal Jose
  • Director: Arfaz Ayub
  • IMDb rating: 6.7/10

In “Level Cross,” Asif Ali and Amala Paul star as the main characters, with Raghu, a railway crossing guard, finding himself unexpectedly encountering an enigmatic girl disembarking from a train one day. Hailing from distinct spheres of life, this film takes us on a journey through the stark contrasts between their characters, immersing us in a captivating storyline brimming with suspense.

8. Kalki 2898 AD (Telugu)

  • Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, Shobana, Pasupathy, Saswata Chatterjee
  • Director: Nag Ashwin
  • IMDb rating: 7/10

2898 AD’s Sci-Fi Epic, titled Kalki, features Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone in prominent roles. This film is influenced by Hindu mythology and is set in a world devastated by the year 2898 AD. The story revolves around Supreme Yaskin, the newly appointed leader, who emerges in this apocalyptic landscape.

Amidst escalating struggles and difficulties faced by humanity each day, a beacon of optimism arises in the guise of Kalki, the foretold 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The initial chapter of the Kalki Cinematic Universe unfolds the efforts of individuals as they strive to protect this child amidst adversaries hot on their heels.

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2024-10-25 16:56