South Indian cinema has long been known for its exceptional storytelling and masterful execution of suspense thrillers. In 2024, filmmakers continued to push the boundaries, delivering gripping narratives that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
From psychological thrillers to crime dramas and investigative mysteries, here’s a list of the top 15 Best South Indian Suspense Thriller Movies of 2024 by Cinema Smachar that you shouldn’t miss.
15 Superhit New South Indian Movies List 2024
1. Maharaja
Director: Nithilan Saminathan
Writer: Nithilan Saminathan
Stars: Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas
IMDB Rating: 8.4

Maharaja follows the story of a barber seeking vengeance after his home is burglarized. When reporting the crime, he cryptically tells the police that his “Lakshmi” has been stolen, leaving them confused about whether it’s a person or an object. As his quest to recover the elusive Lakshmi unfolds, the mystery deepens, leading to an intense and thrilling narrative.
2. Bramayugam
Director: Rahul Sadasivan
Writers: Rahul Sadasivan, T.D. Ramakrishnan
Stars: Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan
IMDB Rating: 7.8

A gripping period horror thriller, Bramayugam follows Thevan, a folk singer of the Paanan caste, who escapes slavery only to stumble upon a mysterious and eerie mansion. What he encounters inside changes the course of his life, unveiling dark secrets from ancient times.
3. Anweshippin Kandethum
Director: Darwin Kuriakose
Writer: Jinu Abraham
Stars: Tovino Thomas, Vineeth Thattil David, Rahul Rajagopal
IMDB Rating: 7.4

This crime thriller revolves around two major crimes that shook Kerala and the investigations that followed. With a gripping screenplay and suspenseful storytelling, the movie explores how law enforcement handles high-profile cases, delivering an engaging cinematic experience.
4. Abraham Ozler
Director: Midhun Manuel Thomas
Writer: Randheer Krishnan
Stars: Jayaram, Jagadish, Senthil Krishna
IMDB Rating: 6.5

Veteran police officer Abraham Ozler finds himself in the middle of a high-stakes serial killing case. As he balances his personal and professional challenges, the hunt for the elusive killer intensifies. The film blends mystery, action, and emotions, making it a must-watch.
5. Siren
Director: Anthony Bhagyaraj
Writer: Anthony Bhagyaraj
Stars: Keerthy Suresh, Anupama Parameswaran, Ravi Mohan
IMDB Rating: 6.4

Siren follows the story of an ambulance driver who, after turning to a life of crime, eagerly awaits his release from prison. However, his 14-year sentence leaves him struggling to adjust to a world that has changed beyond recognition.
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6. Shakhahaari
Director: Sandeep Sunkad
Writer: Sandeep Sunkad
Stars: Savitha K. Avarasang, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Cloudy Dsouza
IMDB Rating: 7.5

Set in a vegetarian restaurant, Shakhahaari is a suspenseful murder mystery that unravels through the unexpected intertwining of innocent lives. The story centers on Chef Subbanna, who finds himself caught in an intriguing web of secrets and deception.
7. Case of Kondana
Director: Deviprasad Shetty
Writers: Jogi, Deviprasad Shetty
Stars: Vijay Raghavendra, Bhavana, Kushee Ravi
IMDB Rating: 5.8

In the outskirts of Bangalore, a dedicated ASI clashes with a notorious gangster in a fictional town. Alongside his tumultuous love life, an ACP searches for a criminal while another character, Raju, fights to save his ill son. The film blends action, crime, and drama in an intense narrative.
8. Simbaa
Director: Murali Manohar Reddy
Writer: Sampath Nandi
Stars: Rajiv Kumar Aneja, Jagapathi Babu, Anasuya Bharadwaj
IMDB Rating: 5.9

This action-packed drama follows Purushottam Reddy, an environmental activist fighting against industrial pollution. His journey takes an emotional turn when saving three lives, fueling his mission to take down those harming nature.
9. Sorgavaasal
Director: Sidharth Vishwanath
Writers: Tamizh Prabha, Ashwin Ravichandran, Sidharth Vishwanath
Stars: RJ Balaji, K. Selvaraghavan, Hakkim Shah
IMDB Rating: 6.6

A thought-provoking social drama, Sorgavaasal follows a common man imprisoned in a corrupt system. The film questions whether jails genuinely rehabilitate criminals or push them further into a cycle of crime.
10. Sabari
Director: Anilkatz
Writers: Anilkatz, Sanni Nagababu
Stars: Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Ganesh Venkatraman, Shashank Siddamsetty
IMDB Rating: 8.4

A gripping thriller, Sabari revolves around a single mother who battles past traumas to protect her child’s future. As she faces dangerous threats, she must go to great lengths to keep her daughter safe.
11. Jog 101
Director: Vijay Kannadiga
Writers: Suman Jadugar, Vijay Kannadiga
Stars: Vijay Raghavendra, Tejaswini Shekar, Rajesh Nataranga
IMDB Rating: 6.5

Vikram arrives in Jog in search of his missing relatives. However, as he investigates their disappearance, he uncovers a sinister plot that leads him down a path of unexpected dangers.
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12. Satyabhama
Director: Suman Chikkala
Writers: Suman Chikkala, Prashanth Reddy Motadoo, Sashi Kiran Tikka
Stars: Kajal Aggarwal, Naveen Chandra, Prakash Raj
IMDB Rating: 5.9

ACP Satyabhama takes on a complex missing person case. As she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets hidden across multiple towns. Haunted by her past, she must navigate through dangerous truths to seek justice.
13. Yevam
Director: Prakash Dantuluri
Writers: Prakash Dantuluri, Divya Narayan
Stars: Chandini Chowdary, Kalpitha, Ramesh Konambhotla
IMDB Rating: 6.1

Set in Vikarabad, Yevam follows a determined female police officer, Soumya, who partners with a dedicated cop to uncover the sinister motives of a criminal preying on young female fans of celebrities.
14. Zebra
Director: Eashvar Karthic
Writers: Eashvar Karthic, Meeraqh
Stars: Satyadev Kancharana, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Dhananjaya
IMDB Rating: 8.0

A thrilling heist film, Zebra follows a group of white-collar fraudsters who find themselves entangled with a ruthless criminal. As they attempt a daring robbery, the stakes skyrocket, leading to unexpected consequences.
15. Viraaji
Director: Adhyanth Harsha
Writer: Adhyanth Harsha
Stars: Phani Acharya, Prasad Behra, Kota Jayaram
IMDB Rating: 8.8

Taking place in Visakhapatnam, Viraaji follows a diverse group—a film producer, a stand-up comedian, a doctor, and a pre-wedding photographer—as they attend a celebrity astrologer’s event, only to get caught up in an unexpected series of events.
Note: Statistics are sourced from a reputable online database of information related to films, television programs, and streaming content: IMDB
Conclusion
The South Indian film industry will continue to produce engaging and diverse content in 2024. From gripping thrillers and action-packed dramas to intense crime stories and thought-provoking social narratives, these 20 films showcase the region’s cinematic brilliance. Whether you love mystery, action, or emotional storytelling, this list has something for everyone.

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