These are my picks for the Top 9 Best South Indian Movies before 2000…
I have over time slowly but steadily moved to english movies from Hindi and Regional films… The reasons are not important but there have been so many Regional Language Movies(Kannada, Telugu and Tamil) over the years that I truly loved and I wanted to share it with all of you…
Anjali(Telugu, Tamil): Story of a family which is shaken with the knowledge that the youngest daughter who they thought died at birth is actually alive but mentally retarded. This movie truly touched my heart and it has everything from mature subject line to a children story like look to amazing songs.
Gitanjali(Telugu, Tamil, Hindi): A young man diagnosed with a terminal illness wishes to spend the few remaining days of his life in solitude away from his family. He comes to a hill station and there he comes across a girl, who seems to be his complete opposite and full of life. As they keep playing tricks on each other they get closer to each other. One such incident makes him aware of a shocking truth about her, which changes both their lives forever.
Shiva(Telugu): Ram Gopal Varma’s debut film received such an amazing response he was instantly hailed as the director for the next gen of movies. Calling this movie a cult classic will not be enough… This ultimate Good v/s Evil story is a must watch for every one.
Beladingala Baale(Kannada): I doubt many movies have held me to its magic like this one. Based on a Telugu novel the movie follows a few months of the life of a Indian Chess player who recently became a Grand Master. He is contacted by a female fan who matches him with her wit… The hero is desperate to meet his fan but has to solve puzzles against time to meet her. The movie goes to a climax that is possibly the best twist I hv ever seen in a Kannada movie.
Amruthavarshini(Kannada): The story of a young couple who is visited by an old friend(of the guy). The friend is heartbroken and has lost all love for life. The couple go out of their way trying to cheer him up and along the way he realizes he is in love with his friend’s wife. He chooses to walk away but is held back for one last trip with the couple. During the trip his friend learns about the love and having absolute faith in his wife warns his friend and asks him to never come near them again… The choices made by the friend dictates the rest of the story… The movie follows into a murder and then turns to an emotional thriller that is simply aweinspiring. Suhasini’s acting won her a national award and is possibly one of the best performances of her illustrious career.
Pushpaka Vimana(No Language): An unemployed youth (Kamal) dreams of living well. One evening, he finds a drunken industrialist passed out in a gutter, and takes the opportunity to switch places with him. He finds love, intrigue, and the good life in his new home, Pushpak, a hotel where the industrialist was booked in. The silent movie is brilliant and its amazing how well this movie was made…
Roja(Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi): Romance and Terrorism… Rishi and Roja, a young couple visit Kashmir after their marriage as Rishi is assigned some government work, during their stay a terrorist group kidnaps Rishi and makes demands to the government. The move tells the story of Roja’s fight and a has heartmoving sequences… Nobody can forget the scenes between Arvind Swamy(Rishi) and possibly the best actor in India Pankaj Kapur
Bombay(Telugu, Tamil, Hindi): Ground breaking movie about the sensitive issue of the controversy surrounding the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Shekar from a traditional hindu family falls in love with Shailo Bano, a muslim girl and they decide to elope when their families refuse the marriage proposal. The two settle down in Bombay and have two kids… The family fear for each others safety as the entire nation is thrown into communal violence. This movie was banned from theaters and face a lot of public outcry before its release… the critics applauded the movie and it went on to win many awards.
Alaipayuthey(Tamil) or Sakhi(Telugu) or Saathiya(Hindi): Karthik is frantic after the disappearance of his wife Shakti. Told in flashbacks, the film traces their brief marriage as the couple’s dreamy romance runs through the usual gamut of highs and lows. This movie was the most recommended movie to me by people ever… I finally saw the hindi version after refusing to see the tamil version(cant understand the language). The hindi version is brilliant but many say the tamil version is far better.
This list is in no way complete, most of these movies I had watched over 10 years ago and still a part of them lies with me. If I have missed any movie please tell me and I shall gladly update the list :)
PS: I wanted to make this list out before the release of the remake of Shiva. The original is 17 years old and the remake hits theaters in few days… One of the few movies I have waited with bated breath for.