From ‘G.O.A.T’ and ‘Vettaiyan’: Tamil films to look forward to in 2024

Kollywood is bracing itself for one of its most creatively and financially lucrative years in recent history, and here are some titles that are expected to be at its helm

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that 2024 will be one of Tamil cinema’s most important years in terms of quality content and box-office numbers. One doesn’t have to be a soothsayer to say this as track records, projections and the insane line-up scheduled for this year forecast 2024 to be so. For starters, this will be the first year since 2010 in which Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, Vijay, Vikram, and Suriya will all have film releases.

Here is a list of some of the most expected Tamil films of 2024.

The first biggie to release this year is Sivakarthikeyan’s much-awaited Ayalaan.The sci-fi film has been in the making for a while and from the looks of it, the team has used the time to improve the quality of the visuals given the immense use of VFX. Apart from being Indru Netru Naalai director Ravikumar’s sophomore film, Ayalaan also marks the return of Isha Koppikar to Tamil cinema. Despite being a high-concept film, the trailer promises a family-friendly entertainer that the younger audience might love more.

The legends are back!Indian 2 has Kamal Haasan and director Shankar reuniting after close to 30 years for the sequel of Indian (1996). From a glimpse released by the makers, it looks like Senapathy is returning to his home turf of fighting corruption and injustice. With an ensemble cast, Shankar’s first collaboration with Anirudh Ravichander for music and the legacy of the original film, a lot is riding on Indian 2. And who else other than Kamal and Shankar can deliver when it matters the most.

Releasing alongside Ayalaan during Pongal this year is Dhanush’s Captain Miller. Following a slew of hits, the actor is teaming up with Arun Matheswaran who had just worked with Dhanush’s brother Selvaraghavan in Saani Kaayidham (2022). Captain Miller, with an impressive cast list featuring Shiva Rajkumar, Priyanka Arul Mohan and Sundeep Kishan, looks like an intense film similar to the filmmaker’s first two outings and we can expect it to be a gritty revolutionary tale. Add to the equation that the film sees the ever-dependable combo of Dhanush and GV Prakash and the fact that Captain Miller will also have an IMAX release.

Andhadhun-filmmaker Sriram Raghavan seems to be returning to his Tamil roots with Merry Christmas. Starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi as leads, the film was made simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil. After making a mark with Jawan, the film will be a pivotal one for Vijay Sethupathi while it also marks Katrina’s Tamil debut. Not to mention the film’s supporting cast changes based on which version of the film you are deciding to catch. The trailer hints at a neo-noir thriller on cards, a genre the filmmaker is known for, and we are glad that Christmas is coming so early this year.

Kanguva is undoubtedly the biggest film of their careers for both Suriya and director Siva. Said to be one of the most expensive Indian films to date, the film’s promo video promises it to be unlike anything we have seen in Tamil cinema. With Disha Patani and Bobby Deol making their Tamil debuts alongside an ensemble cast, Kanguva is also expected to be released in 3D and IMAX formats. Apart from cameos in Vikram and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Suriya has not had a theatrical release for almost two years now and since Kanguva also marks the return of Siva after the underwhelming Annaatthe, all eyes are on the duo.