AFTER a stellar year in 2024, south Indian cinema is set to capture global attention once again in 2025 with its signature mix of creative storytelling, thrilling action, and emotionally charged plots.
The Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam film industries are gearing up to deliver another round of exciting films, many headlined by major superstars. The year has already kicked off with the Telugu political action thriller Game Changer, starring Ram Charan. Ajith Kumar’s Tamil entertainer VidaamuyarchiVidaamuyarchi is also on the way. Here is a roundup of south Indian movies to watch out for in 2025:
Good Bad Ugly: Ajith Kumar is set for an exciting year, following Vidaamuyarchi with this action comedy directed by Adhik Ravichander. In the film, Ajith sports a youthful, clean-shaven look, adding to his striking presence. Can Ajith deliver back-to-back blockbusters this year?
L2: Empuraan:The anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer continues the Malayalam trilogy. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film stars Mohanlal alongside Tovino Thomas, Ma Dong-seok, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Manju Warrier. With a budget of `4 billion (£37.7 million), it is one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema history.
Good Bad Ugly
Salaar: Chapter 2:Many directors have been splitting films into two parts, often without strong justification. While films like KGF, Baahubali, and Pushpa earned their sequels, the decision to follow up the Prabhas starrer Salaar initially raised doubts. However, the makers have hinted that the conflicts in the story are complex enough to warrant a sequel. They have promised that the second part will deliver a Game of Thrones-style experience, packed with drama, politics, intrigue, and action.
Thug Life: Imagine a film featuring Kamal Haasan, Trisha, Silambarasan, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Pankaj Tripathi – only Mani Ratnam could bring together such a cast. While the plot remains under wraps, teasers have already heightened curiosity, making this one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Thalapathy 69: Superstar Thalapathy Vijay bids farewell to acting with this untitled film, directed by H Vinoth. Scheduled for a Diwali release, it is expected to be a solid commercial entertainer and a fitting conclusion to Vijay’s illustrious acting career as he shifts his focus to politics.
Coolie: Rajinikanth joins forces with director Lokesh Kanagaraj for the first time in this dark crime action thriller. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Nagarjuna Akkineni, Sathyaraj, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Shruti Haasan. Adding to the excitement, Aamir Khan makes a special appearance, further strengthening the star-studded line-up.
Coolie
Suriya 44: This untitled project marks the first collaboration between Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj. The film will feature a special appearance by Shriya, who is set to perform a dance number. A major highlight of the film is a much-anticipated 15-minute single-shot sequence. Fans are eagerly wondering whether this could finally deliver Suriya the major box office success he has been waiting for.
Kantara: Chapter 1: The highly anticipated prequel to Kantara is set to release in theatres on October 2, 2025. Starring Rishab Shetty, this film explores events preceding the original, which was released in 2022 and became a massive hit, earning over `4bn (£37.7m) globally on a modest `160m (£1.5m) budget. The first film brought Rishab Shetty widespread acclaim, including awards for best actor and best popular film at the 70th National Film Awards.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.