While Malayalam cinema had a mixed bag in 2018, Bollywood witnessed the rise of new names like Khuranas, Raos and Aptes. Enough talking about Bollywood and Mollywood. When it comes to Tamil movies, the soon-to-end year was amazing with ample experiments.

Although big budget to superstar movies came way, content-driven movies emerged as top picks this year. The quality of content has been steady and interesting subjects were made and gained acceptance. Today, let's go through some such movies:

1. Vada Chennai

Starring: Dhanush, Ameer, Andrea Jeremiah, Aishwarya Rajesh

Director: Vetrimaran

Theme: Gangster film in which a young carrom player becomes a participant in a war between two groups.

What's best: Performances, in-depth approach to characterisation and layered writing.

2. Pariyerum Perumal

Starring: Kathir, Anandhi

Director: Mari Selvaraj

Theme: A hard-hitting anti-caste drama where the hero falls for an upper-caste girl.

What's best: The subject, casting and detailing which will leave you with thoughts.

3. Ratsasan

Starring: Vishnu Vishal, Saravanan, Amala Paul

Director: Ram kumar

Theme: A psychological crime thriller where the criminal is hunted down for a series of murders of teenage girls.

What's best: Narrative style, superb editing and music. The film keeps one hooked.

4. Kolamaavu Kokila

Starring: Nayanthara , Yogi Babu, Saranya Ponvannan, R. S. Shivaji, Hareesh Peradi

Director: Nelson Dilip Kumar

Theme: A black comedy where a woman takes up drug peddling.

What's best: Casting and performance, a message of women empowerment, and sticks true to the genre with making style.

5. 96

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Trisha

Director: C. Prem Kumar

Theme: Romantic drama where hero rewinds the memories of his childhood sweetheart at a reunion ceremony.

What's best: Breezy and heartwarming tale, brilliant performances and nonlinear yet simple narration.

6. Nadigaiyar Thilagam

Starring: Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha, Vijay Devarakonda

Director: Nag Ashwin

Theme: Tamil version of the biopic on veteran actress Savitri.

What's best: Performances, characterisation and narrative pattern.

7. Imaikkaa Nodigal

Starring: Nayanthara, Anurag Kashyap, Atharvaa, Raashi Khanna

Director: R. Ajay Gnanamuthu

Theme: Psychological thriller film on a CBI officer's hunt for a serial killer.

What's best: Engaging with unpredictable twists, performances, cinematography.

8. Merku Thodarchi Malai

Starring: Antony, Gayathri Krishna, Abu Valayankulam

Director: Lenin Bharathi

Theme: The family drama tells the story of people living along the foothills of the Western Ghats.

What's best: The setting, the characters, the cinematography and the message.

9. Irumbuthirai

Starring: Vishal, Arjun Sarja, Samantha Akkineni

Director: P. S. Mithran

Theme: Action-techno thriller is about tracking down hackers.

What's best: Interesting plot and character development.

10. Vanjagar Ulagam

Starring: Guru Somasundaram, Anisha Ambrose, Hareesh Peradi

Director: Manoj Beedha

Theme: Gangster drama revolving a murder and incidents that follow.

What's best: The energy the movie carries and the dialogues.

Bonus. Pyaar Prema Kaadhal

Starring: Harish Kalyan, Raiza Wilson

Director: Elan

Theme: Romantic comedy where two much-in-love couple decides for a live-in relationship.

What's best: Refreshing and emotionally driven.

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