Tamil movies lack strong storylines and catchy songs

TAMIL cinema has long been known for its rich storytelling, powerful performances, innovative cinematography and catchy songs and music. However, in recent years, the Tamilnadu movie industry seems to be struggling to consistently produce great films.

There are still many good Tamil movies being released, but they may not always receive widespread attention. Some recent Tamil films have been praised for their storytelling and performances, such as Nesippaya and Good Bad Ugly, released in 2025 on streaming platforms (like Netflix), which also offered a collection of critically-acclaimed Tamil films.

The definition of a "great" movie varies from person to person, but films like Thangalaan (2024) and Meiyazhagan (2024) were widely appreciated for its unique narratives and strong performances. These films highlighted the depth and creativity that Tamil cinema is known for.

There are several reasons why some audiences feel that Tamil cinema is not producing as many great films as it used to. A major cause of the dearth of good movies coming out of Kollywood is commercial pressure - many filmmakers prioritise box office success over artistic storytelling, leading to formulaic movies.

The competing space of streaming where there is a rise of over-the-top or OTT platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime has resulted in many movies coming out of Kodambakkam where the producer's focus is more on quick entertainment rather than deep narratives.

Changing audience preferences also contribute to lack-lustre Tamil movies becoming more common place because viewers now have access to global content, thus raising expectations and making it harder for local films to stand out.

And to call a spade a spade, it seems that there is lack of innovation; perhaps Tamil cinema needs to take more creative risks to produce groundbreaking films. There are just too many overly violent movies where the storyline revolves around kidnapping, murder, revenge, gang fights… and more gang fights.

Looking back, the Ponniyan Selvan series (PS-1 & PS-2) were more hype than great movies. And did we have to go for Aishwarya Rai when there are so many great actors down south?

What are top actors such as Suriya, Jyothika, Vikram, Dhanush, Rajnikanth, Nayanthara, Trisha Krishnan, Samantha, Tamannaah and Kamal Haasan doing? Have they taken early retirement? Unfortunately, talented actors such as Dhanush and Jayam Ravi (now known as Ravi Mohan) are too busy dealing with their personal marital matters. It would appear there are more divorces/break-ups coming out of the Kollywood scene than movies.

Where are the great movies such as the box office hits that left an impression? I am referring to among others, Roja, Thevar Magan, Mouna Ragam, Ghajini, Bombay, Enthiran, 7 Aum Arivu, Thuppakki, Vishwaroopam, Lingaa, Singam and Mersal?

Also, it has been some time since we had a movie with hit songs that linger in our heads long after the story-line has been forgotten. Here think Roja, Bombay, Alaipayuthey, Kandukondain Kandukondain, 96, Minale, Padaiyappa and Sivaji. Despite these challenges, Tamil cinema continues to evolve, and there are still filmmakers pushing boundaries to create memorable movies. But not as many they once did. I am hoping the next great Tamil film is just around the corner.

Saranya Devan is a theatre-maker, dance performer, academic and proud Tamilian. She holds an MA in dance from UCT, and a MA in Bharatha Natyam from the University of Madras. 

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