Kollywood’s Dark Chronicles: Unmasking the Best Crime Movies of 2023

In the mysterious underbelly of Kollywood’s cinematic tapestry, 2023 unfolds as a riveting chapter marked by tales of crime, intrigue, and suspense. The crime genre, known for its ability to captivate and challenge audiences, takes centre stage as Kollywood’s storytellers delve into the complexities of morality, justice, and the human psyche. Join us on a gripping journey into the shadowy narratives that define the best crime movies of Kollywood in 2023. From noir-inspired thrillers to thought-provoking mysteries, each film stands as a testament to the industry’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Get ready to be immersed in a world where every twist of the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, as we unravel the dark chronicles that grace Kollywood screens this year.

Here are the Top Tamil Crime Movies 2023:

1. Aval Peyar Rajni

Director: Vinil Scariah Varghese

Starring: Namitha Pramod, Kalidas Jayaram, Reba Monica

Siblings Naveen and Gowri find themselves in chaos and danger with a looming life threat which unravels a mysterious quest to uncover the identity of Rajni.

2. Thupparivaalan 2

Director: Vishal

Starring: Prasanna, Gautami, Nassar

Thupparivaalan 2 is a Tamil spy, thriller movie written and directed by Vishal. A sequel to the 2017 movie Thupparivaalan and the second instillment in the Thupparivaalan movie series. The movie star cast has Vishal in the lead role, along with Prasanna, Rahman, Munna Simon and Adithya Menon in supporting roles.  The movie produced by Vishal, it has music and background score by Iyalaraja. Camera handled by Nirav Shah.

3. Atharva

Director: Mahesh Reddy

Starring: Karthik Raju, Simran Choudhary, Arvind Krishna

A policeman from the clues department tries to unravel murder mystery. When the investigation becomes more complex, it leads to a twisted path. Will he be able to unravel the chain of mystery?

4. Vidhuthalai Part 1

Director: Vetrimaaran

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Soori

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.

5.Siren

Director: Anthony Bhagyaraj

Starring: Jayam Ravi, Keerthy Suresh, Yogi Babu

An Ambulance driver turned criminal, who awaits the day of his release from prison. However, the man gets to go out of jail after 14 years on parole.

6.Por Thozhil

Director: Vignesh Raja

Starring: R. Sarathkumar, Sarath Babu, Ashok Selvan

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.

7.Jailer

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar

Starring: Rajinikanth, Vinayakan, Mira Menon

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.

8.Tiger Nageswara Rao

Director: Vamsee, Vamasi Krishna Naidu

Starring: Ravi Teja, Nupur Sanon, Renu Desai

During the 1970s, thief Tiger Nageswara Rao masterminds a series of daring heists and becomes a legend for his ingenious methods of outwitting the police. The music of the film is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. The first single titled “Ek Dum Ek Dum” was released on 5 September 2023. The second single titled “Veedu” was released on 21 September 2023.

9.Regina

Director: Domin D’Silva

Starring: Sunaina, Rithu Manthra, Bava Chelladurai

Regina is an upright and straightforward girl whose world revolves around her father. However, things change when her father gets killed. The film was released on 23 June 2023. The production team announced that the film will release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.

10. Theerkadarishi

Director: P.G. Mohan, L.R. Sundarapandi

Starring: Ajmal Ameer, Sathyaraj, Devadharshini

A stranger keeps calling the police control room to tip them off about various crimes and accidents that are about to occur soon. The music is composed by G. Balasubramanian. Lyrics were written by M. Viveka and Vivek.

As the curtains draw on the compelling crime narratives that have unfolded on Kollywood screens in 2023, the echoes of suspense, morality, and intricate storytelling linger in the cinematic air. Each crime movie presented a unique tapestry of intrigue, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of audiences.

As we bid farewell to the dark chronicles that have enthralled us, we carry with us the memories of twisted plots, unexpected revelations, and characters etched in Shades of Gray. Kollywood’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of crime storytelling is evident in these films, and as we await the mysteries that future years hold, let the enigma and suspense of 2023’s crime movies resonate, reminding us that in the labyrinth of Kollywood, the next thrilling narrative is just around the corner.