Kollywood’s Adrenaline Odyssey: Unveiling the Best Action Movies of 2023

In the cinematic realm of Kollywood, where storytelling converges with heart-pounding action, 2023 emerges as a year of pulse-quickening spectacles that redefine the genre. From gravity-defying stunts to choreographed combat, Kollywood takes audiences on an electrifying journey into a world where heroes rise, and villains fall. Join us as we traverse the landscape of Tamil cinema’s action-packed narratives, exploring the dynamic tales that promise to set screens ablaze in 2023. From high-octane sequences to larger-than-life heroes, this article unravels the adrenaline-fueled treasures that make up the best of Kollywood’s action cinema this year. Buckle up because the cinematic thrill ride is just about to begin!

Here are the top Tamil Action Movies of 2023:

1. Vidhuthalai: Part 1

Director: Vetrimaaran

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Soori, Bhavani Sre

A policeman is conflicted between duty and morality when his department begins a brutal campaign to capture a local activist. The film’s soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja in his maiden collaboration with Vetrimaaran. Ilaiyaraaja composed the song of the film in his newly launched music studio in Kodambakkam, after his falling-out with Prasad Studios, where he recorded songs for nearly four decades. Music composition of the film began in February 2021. The music rights were purchased by Sony Music India. The first single titled “Onnoda Nadandhaa” released on 8 February 2023.

2. Jigarthanda Double X

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Starring: Raghava Lawrence, Nimisha Sajayan, S.J Suryah

In 1975, in Tamil Nadu, India, an unlikely filmmaker and a dangerous gangster collaborate to make a Western movie. The soundtrack and background score for the film was composed by Santhosh Narayanan.

3, Por Thozhil

Director: Vignesh Raja

Starring: R. Sarathkumar, Ashok Selvan, Saratha Babu

A rookie cop teams up with a veteran officer to investigate a series of murders and soon finds himself on the trail of a brutal serial killer determined to keep on taking lives.

4, Maaveeran

Director: Madonne Ashwin

Starring: Sivakarthikeya, Aditi Shankar, Mysskin

After an accident, a timid cartoonist begins to hear the voice of a comic character he has created. Guided by this voice, he takes a stand against a group of evil men. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Bharath Sankar in his first collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and second with Madonne after Mandela. The audio rights were bagged by Saregama. The first single “Scene Ah Scene Ah” was released on 17 February 2023, on Sivakarthikeyan’s birthday. The second single “Vannarapettayila” was released on 14 June, and the third single “Vaa Veera” on 7 July.

5. Vaathi

Director: Venky Atluri

Starring: Dhanush, Samyuktha Menon, Shrutika

Assigned to a government school as a teacher, a young professor encounters several obstacles in his fight against people trying to turn the sacred pillar of education into a business. The music of the film is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. The first single titled “Vaa Vaathi” in Tamil and “Mastaaru Mastaaru” in Telugu was released on 10 November 2022. The second single titled “Naadodi Mannan” in Tamil and “Banjara” in Telugu was released on 17 January 2023.

6. Leo

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj

Starring: Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Trisha Krishnan

Things start to take an awry turn for a mild-mannered cafe owner, who gets caught in the crosshairs of a drug cartel. The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his fourth collaboration with Vijay after Kaththi (2014), Master (2021), and Beast (2022); and third collaboration with Lokesh after Master and Vikram.[31] The music rights were purchased by Sony Music India for ₹16 crore. The audio launch was to be held on 30 September 2023 at the Nehru Stadium but was later cancelled on 27 September 2023 due to incessant requests for passes in addition to safety constraints. The album was released on the same day as the film’s release Naa Ready emerged as Spotify’s most-streamed Tamil track of 2023, as per Spotify Wrapped 2023.

7. Ponniyin Selvan Part 2

Director: Mani Ratnam

Starring: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha Krishnan

In the wake of his brother Ponniyin Selvan’s presumed death, Aditha Karikalan of the Chola dynasty rallies his kingdom and tries to resist threats on all sides. The film score and soundtrack were composed by Mani Ratnam’s regular collaborator A. R. Rahman. The audio rights of the film were purchased by Tips Industries. The soundtrack consists of seven original songs composed by A. R. Rahman. The first, “Aga Naga”, was released as a single on 20 March 2023. The remaining tracks were revealed at a trailer and audio launch on 29 March 2023. Lyrics for the Tamil version of the soundtrack was written by Ilango Krishnan. It includes Sangam-literature poet Kudavayil Keerathanar’s excerpts, whereas “Aazhi Mazhai Kanna” was inspired from Andal’s Thiruppavai, and “Shivoham” from Adi Shankara’s Atma Shatakam in the Tamil version. Gulzar, Ananta Sriram, Chandrabose, Ramajogayya Sastry, Rafeeq Ahamed and Jayanth Kaikini wrote the song lyrics in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada respectively.

8. Jailer

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar

Starring: Rajnikanth, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar

Muthuvel Pandian, a stern yet compassionate jailer, sets out to stop a gang when they try to flee their leader from prison. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander in his third collaboration with Rajinikanth, after Petta (2019) and Darbar (2020) and fourth collaboration with Nelson after Kolamaavu Kokila (2018), Doctor (2021), and Beast (2022). The first single titled “Kaavaalaa” was released on 6 July 2023.The second single titled “Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara” was released on 17 July 2023.The third single titled “Jujubee” was released on 26 July 2023. The album featuring 8 tracks was released on 28 July 2023.

9. Mark Anthony

Director: Adhik Ravichandran

Starring: Vishal, Sunil, Abhinaya

Mark, the son of a former gangster, comes across a mobile phone that can time-travel. Using the phone, Mark acquires the ability to save his estranged mother from a grim fate but with dangerous consequences. The film’s music and background score are composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar in his second collaboration with Vishal after Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) and second with Adhik after Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) and first with S. J. Suryah. The first single “Adhirudha” released on 15 July 2023, and the second single “I Love You Di” on 23 August.

10. Varisu

Director: Vamshi Paidipally

Starring: Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, Nandini Rai

When his terminally ill father leaves him in charge of his business conglomerate, a prodigal son must prove his mettle and reunite his broken family. In his first collaboration with Vijay, the music is composed by Thaman S. The album consists of five songs. The first single “Ranjithame” was released on 5 November 2022, the second single “Thee Thalapathy” on 4 December, and the third single “Soul of Varisu” on 20 December.

As the credits roll on the heart-stopping adventures and gravity-defying feats that have graced Kollywood screens in 2023, it’s clear that Tamil cinema continues to push the boundaries of action storytelling. From the breathtaking sequences of heroism to the relentless pursuit of justice, these films have not only entertained but also left an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences.

As we bid farewell to the adrenaline-fueled odyssey that Kollywood has offered this year, let’s carry the echoes of clashing swords, the roar of powerful dialogues, and the triumph of our beloved heroes in our cinematic memories. The journey through the best action movies of 2023 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and we eagerly await what the dynamic landscape of Kollywood has in store for us in the years to come. Until then, let the echoes of action-packed brilliance linger, reminding us that in Kollywood, the thrill never truly fades away.