Tamil-language action drama films

Bison Kaalamaadan is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language sports action drama film written and directed by Mari Selvaraj. It was jointly produced by Sameer Nair, Deepak Seigal, Pa. Ranjith and Aditi Anand under Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios. The film stars Dhruv Vikram, leading an ensemble cast featuring Pasupathy, Ameer, Lal, Anupama Parameswaran, Rajisha Vijayan and Azhagam Perumal. Based on the life of kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan, it follows a man who strives to excel in the sport while overcoming caste-based discrimination.

Kochadaiiyaan: The Legend () is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language animated period action film written by K. S. Ravikumar and directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth. It is India's first photorealistic motion capture film, featuring characters whose designs were based on the appearance and likeness of their respective actors. The film stars Rajinikanth and Deepika Padukone (in her Tamil debut), with R. Sarathkumar, Aadhi Pinisetty, Jackie Shroff, Nassar, Shobana and Rukmini Vijayakumar in supporting roles. The narrative follows the quest of an 8th-century warrior who seeks revenge after witnessing the unl

2021 Tamil film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj

Aadukalam (; ) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language sports action drama film directed by Vetrimaaran, produced by S. Kathiresan and distributed by Sun Pictures. The film stars Dhanush in the lead role, alongside Taapsee (in her Tamil debut), Kishore, V. I. S. Jayapalan, Naren Narayanan, and Murugadoss. G. V. Prakash Kumar composed the film score and soundtrack.

2017 Tamil film directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth

Vettaiyan ( ) is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by T. J. Gnanavel and produced by Subaskaran Allirajah's Lyca Productions. The film stars an ensemble cast of Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan (in his Tamil debut), Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Rohini, Rao Ramesh, Abhirami and Ramesh Thilak. The film follows a senior police officer who accidentally shoots an innocent person during an encounter killing, while investigating the murder of a teacher.

2019 Tamil film directed by Karthik Subbaraj

film directed by Mani Ratnam

2021 Tamil film directed by Mari Selvaraj

Pithamagan () is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language action crime drama film written and directed by Bala. The film stars Vikram, Suriya, Laila and Sangeetha in the lead roles, with Karunaas, Manobala and Ramaraju (credited as Mahadevan) in supporting roles. In the film, a man raised in a graveyard with no understanding of the world forms a bond with a con artist.

Kaththi () is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language political action drama film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss. It is produced by Allirajah Subaskaran's Lyca Productions. The film stars Vijay in dual roles alongside Samantha, Neil Nitin Mukesh (in his Tamil debut), Tota Roy Chowdhury, and Sathish. In the film, a petty thief assumes the identity of his lookalike and attempts to lead a rebellion by farmers from the latter's village, Thanoothu, and helps them fight against an entrepreneur who exploited Thanoothu's water resources.

Thalaivaa () is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by A. L. Vijay (credited as Vijay) and produced by Vendhar Movies. The film stars Vijay in the titular role, alongside Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Ragini Nandwani, Santhanam, Abhimanyu Singh, Nassar and Rajeev Pillai. In the film, a dancer in Australia takes over his father's duty as a crime boss in Mumbai after his death.

Padayappa is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. It stars Sivaji Ganesan in his penultimate release and Rajinikanth in the titular lead. Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya and Pritha Hari share other lead roles, while Lakshmi, Radha Ravi, Nassar, Abbas and Sithara play supporting roles. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman. The film revolves around the title character and his family being targeted in a generations-long revenge by his cousin Neelambari, a narcissistic woman who was left humiliated after Padayappa reje

Paruthiveeran () is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic action drama film written, directed and produced by Ameer. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the title character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan, Ganja Karuppu, Sampath Raj, and Sujatha Sivakumar playing supporting roles. The film features a soundtrack and score composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematography by Ramji and editing by Raja Mohammad.

2018 Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam

Lingaa is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar and produced by Rockline Venkatesh under Rockline Entertainments. It stars Rajinikanth in a dual role alongside, Anushka Shetty, Sonakshi Sinha and Jagapathi Babu, while Santhanam and Karunakaran play supporting roles. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, while cinematography and editing were handled by R. Rathnavelu and Samjith Mohammed. In the film, Lingaa, a petty thief, arrives at Solaiyur to save the village's dam and temple, which was built by his grandfather Raja Lingeswaran.

2023 film by Karthik Subbaraj

Virumaandi is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written, co-edited, produced, and directed by Kamal Haasan, who also performed in the title role. The cast also includes Pasupathy, Napoleon, Abhirami, Rohini, Shanmugarajan and Nassar in pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film won critical acclaim and was a commercial success at the box office. It marked Rohini’s comeback after an 8-year hiatus from acting.

2008 Tamil film directed by Gautham Menon

2009 Tamil film directed by Bala

Dhool () is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Dharani. The film stars Vikram and Jyothika in lead roles while Reema Sen, Vivek, Sayaji Shinde, Telangana Shakuntala and Pasupathy play other supporting roles. It follows a man who fights to close a chemical factory that has been releasing toxic waste into the river, affecting the people of his village. Produced by A. M. Rathnam at a cost of 7 crore, the film was released on 14 January 2003 and became a commercial success. Dhool was remade in Telugu as Veede (2003) with Sayaji, Sen and Pasupathy reprising their

Kuberaa is a 2025 Indian action drama film directed by Sekhar Kammula, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chaithanya Pingali. Produced by Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP and Amigos Creations, the film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil. It stars Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh.

2005 Tamil film directed by Perarasu

Subramaniapuram is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language gangster action drama film written, produced, and directed by Sasikumar. The film stars Jai, Swathi, Sasikumar himself, Ganja Karuppu and Samuthirakani. The music was composed by James Vasanthan, with cinematography by S. R. Kathir and editing by Raja Mohammad.

Parasakthi is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language political action drama film directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Aakash Baskaran of Dawn Pictures. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa and Sreeleela. Set mainly in 1964, it follows two brothers protesting the promotion of Hindi as India's national language, but face threats from a brutal Intelligence Bureau officer.

Ellaichami is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed and produced by K. Rangaraj. The film stars R. Sarathkumar and Rupini, with Nassar, Vetri Vigneshwar and Gowri playing supporting roles. It was released on 11 September 1992, and failed at the box office. This was the last film Rangaraj directed for over 30 years, until the release of Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal (2025).

2021 Tamil film directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan

Anthahpuram () is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. The film stars Soundarya, Prakash Raj, Sai Kumar and Jagapathi Babu with music composed by Ilayaraja. Inspired by the American film Not Without My Daughter (1991), the plot follows an Indian-origin woman from Mauritius who, along with her young son, becomes trapped in her husband's patriarchal and feudal household in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

1961 Tamil film directed by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar

Ezhumalai () is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Arjun, who also plays the title character. It also features an ensemble cast of Simran, Gajala, Mumtaj, Vijayakumar and Ashish Vidyarthi. It is the Tamil remake of the Telugu film Narasimha Naidu (2001) which also starred Simran and has music by Mani Sharma.

1991 Tamil film directed by Rajashekar

1974 Tamil film directed by C. V. Rajendran

Laabam () is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed and co-written by S. P. Jananathan. It stars Vijay Sethupathi and Shruti Haasan, with Jagapathi Babu, Dhansika, and Kalaiyarasan in pivotal roles.

2003 Tamil film directed by A. M. Nandakumar

Chatriyan () is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by K. Subash and written by Mani Ratnam, with dialogues by A. Varunan. The film stars Vijayakanth, Bhanupriya and Thilakan, with Revathi in a guest appearance. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while cinematography and editing were handled by Y. N. Murali and Raghu & Baabu.

Vaathi () is a 2023 Indian period action drama film written and directed by Venky Atluri and produced by Naga Vamsi. The film was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu languages, with the former version titled Sir. The film stars Dhanush, who plays the titular role of a school teacher, and Samyuktha. The music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar with cinematography by J. Yuvaraj and editing by Naveen Nooli. The film released on 17 February 2023 to mixed reviews and became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2023, earning 105 crore worldwide. G. V. Prakash Kumar won the National Film A

2016 Tamil film directed by R. S. Durai Senthilkumar

1983 Tamil film directed by S. P. Muthuraman