Online streaming platforms are a great way to catch up with films that you might have missed watching in theatres. These platforms are also becoming a good repository for films that offer a quick fix for your K TV/Raj TV loving heart.
Amazon Prime, for instance, has a very good collection of old Tamil films that you probably didn’t know was available to stream online in good quality, ad-free. On a lazy weekend afternoon, if you’re in the mood for some old Tamil drama, the ones that were made before the glitz of the new millennium, take your pick from this list.
Parasakthi 1952
If you haven’t heard about this film, you’re probably not from here. But not to worry, it’s still isn’t too late for you to get acquainted with the brilliance of two very important Tamil icons - Kalaingar Karunanidhi and Sivaji Ganesan - through this film. While Sivaji made his acting debut in Parasakthi, Karunanidhi’s powerful writing in this film paved way for cementing his role in Tamil Nadu's political arena. Parasakthi was met with controversy upon its release but was a huge success, running for over 175 days. This 1952 Tamil drama is a classic and a must-watch.
Andha Naal 1954
Another classic, Andha Naal is considered one of the best made Tamil films to this date. While it is popular belief that Sundaram Balachandar’s Andha Naal was adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s classic Rashomon (1950), film historian Randor Guy writes that the film is actually an adaptation of Anthony Asquith’s The Woman in Question (1950). Spoiler: The film begins with a deep-throated narrator's voice talking about the day Madras was bombed by the Japanese, followed by Sivaji Ganesan's convoluted dying face and a smoking gun. The plot tightens from here on. Do not miss this thriller classic for any reason!
Karpagam 1963
This family drama won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil – Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film upon its release. Starring an ensemble cast, the film was a simple good vs evil story. The ghostly melody, ‘Mannavane Azhalama?’, that KR Vijaya’s spirit sings to Gemini Ganesan is from this film.
Athey Kangal 1967
One of the earliest Tamil thrillers, Athey Kangal needs to be enjoyed for its tight script and down-the-rabbit-hole narration. There are serial murders in a family by an unknown killer and actor Ravichandran plays a detective who’s out to solve it. If you’re still not sure if you want to watch this film, all you need to do is listen to ‘Va Arugil va, thaa uyirai thaa’ song from the film - An eerie melody that translates into ‘come closer, give me your life’.
Kasethan Kadavulada
Kasethan Kadavulada 1972
This one’s an evergreen rib tickler written and directed by Chitralaya Gopu, first as a stage play. The film has great comedy and an engaging story and we’ve wondered, more than once, ‘why don’t they make them like these anymore?’. Kasetha Kadavulada stars Muthuraman, Thengai Srinivasan, Venniradai Moorthy, Manorama, Suruli Rajan amongst others.
Mullum Malarum 1978
This film gave Rajinikanth his real-real break in cinema. His character as Kaali is one of his most nuanced till date. Directed by J Mahendran, Mullum Malarum was screened at the 1979 International Film Festival of India as part of the Indian Panorama and is considered a milestone in Tamil cinema. With many layers to its story, Mullum Malarum has some of the most real character arcs seen in Tamil cinema to this date.
Rajavin Parvaiyile 1995
You might not have heard about this film and we’ll tell you straight up that this one was a box-office failure upon its release. But you’ll thank us for recommending it because this is the only film in which Thala and Thalapathi were seen acting together! When the film released in 1995, little did people know that the two young men in it would go on to dominate Tamil cinema later on. Although an unmemorable drama, you might want to watch it if you’re curious to see how the Ajith-Vijay combination might have turned out.
Rajavin Parvaiyile
The partial Mani Ratnam package
Nayakan, Roja, Bombay, Iruvar, Thalapathi, Thiruda Thiruda, Uyire are some of the Mani Ratnam films available for streaming.
The making of Shankar
You can watch some of Shankar’s earliest films like Kadhalan, Jeans, Indian and Gentleman on Amazon Prime.
Other films you might enjoy
Anbe Vaa
Rajapart Rangadurai
Parthal Pasitheerum
Kalathur Kannamma
Murattu Kaalai
Ninaithadai Mudipavan
Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
Mella Thirandhadu Kadhavu
Nerukku Ner
Michael Madhana Kamarajan