Feb 12, 2025

Sushmita Dey

​9 Must-Watch South Indian Films Inspired By Real-Life Stories

​Take Off​

Mahesh Narayanan makes his directorial debut with a film inspired by a real-life story. In 2014, Indian nurses were held captive in Tikrit. The film focuses on Sameera (Parvathy) as she endures the harrowing ordeal.

Credit: IMDb

​​Killing Veerappan​

Ram Gopal Varma’s film recreates Operation Veerappan, the dramatic operation to capture the infamous poacher who had once kidnapped Dr Rajkumar, a legendary actor.​

Credit: IMDb

​Manjummel Boys​

One of the best films of 2024! It is inspired by a true story from 2006, where a group of friends rescued one of their own from Guna cave.

Credit: IMDb

​Vikrithi​

Inspired by the real-life incident of a mute man wrongly accused of being drunk, Vikrithi explores the consequences of social media’s destructive power on innocent lives.


Credit: IMDb

​Visaranai​

A shocking, real account of injustice. This intense thriller is based on the novel Lock Up, detailing a real-life incident of police torture. The film captures the brutality of the justice system in Andhra Pradesh.​

Credit: IMDb

​Jai Bhim​

The Tamil film is based on a true event from 1993, focusing on a legal case involving a couple from the Irular tribe and their fight for justice.

Credit: IMDb

​​Traffic​

This Malayalam film with a morally complex narrative based on a real heart transplant case in Chennai. Traffic intertwines the lives of strangers on a fateful day.

Credit: IMDb

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​​Virata Parvam​

This romantic revolution-themed film is inspired by the true story of Thumu Sarala, a woman who falls in love with a Naxal leader amidst political turmoil.​ It stars Rana Daggubati, Sai Pallavi, and Nandita Das.

Credit: IMDb

​​Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru​

Based on the real-life story of the Bawaria dacoit gang, the film follows a police officer’s efforts to track down criminals terrorising Tamil Nadu. The director’s attention to detail makes it one of the most authentic crime thrillers.


Credit: IMDb

​Ambajipeta Marriage Band​

Inspired by director Dushyanth Katikineni's life, this film is based on real events with fiction, tackling caste discrimination while exploring societal biases and relationship struggles.


Credit: IMDb

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