Top 10 Most Underrated Movies in Kollywood

10. Oonayum aatukuttiyum   

The 2013 Tamil-language neo-noir thriller movie Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum was written, produced, and directed by Mysskin. The film's principal actors are Sri of Vazhakku Enn 18/9 fame, Mysskin, and Shaji Chen.  Ilaiyaraaja composed the movie's music. The movie lacked a heroine and music. The team started filming on March 11, 2013, and they completed the full project in and around Chennai. Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum, which was released on September 27, 2013, received accolades from everyone. In Tamil cinema, this movie became a classic and provided inspiration for succeeding cinemas in this particular neo-noir domain. 

9. Pannaiyarum padminiyum

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum is an Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by debutant S. U. Arun Kumar, based on his own short-film which was telecasted in Naalaya Iyakunar . This film contains eminent actors like Vijay Sethupathi, Jayaprakash, and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead roles. The one liner of this film is an old man and his love for his vintage car Premier Padmini. The film was released on 7 February 2014. 

8. Thegidi

Thegidi (means Deception) is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language in the genre of mystery thriller film directed by P. Ramesh. The primary actors in the movie are Ashok Selvan and Janani. Nivas Prasanna was the music director. The movie was released on February 28, 2014,  even after getting favourable reviews from reviewers and also being remade as Chanakya Thanthram in Malayalam this film did not reach the kollywood audience it deserved.

 7. Moodar koodam

Naveen wrote, produced, and directed an unsung Tamil language black comedy movie Moodar Koodam in the year 2013, Together with the director himself, Sendrayan, Kuberan, and Rajaj play the main characters in the movie. Other significant characters include Oviya, Anupama Kumar, Jayaprakash, Five Star Krishna, and Uday Mahesh, the music is by Natarajan Sankaran. This fim recieved recieved positive reviews but was not positive on the box office collection.

6. Kaaviya thalaivan

A 2014 Tamil-language historical drama film titled Kaaviya Thalaivan was written and directed by Vasanthabalan. In addition to Nassar, Thambi Ramaiah, Ponvannan, Mansoor Ali Khan, and others playing supporting parts, it has Siddharth, Prithviraj, Vedhika, and Anaika Soti as its main actors. A. R. Rahman composed the music. The movie is about the rivalry between two theatre performers in a tiny play group and is set in the early 20th century. This film had a good story line, great costume and an unbeatable sound track but still did not get the recognition from common people and remains as an underrated movie.

5. Uriyadi

In 2016, Vijay Kumar, a novice, wrote, directed, and produced the political action thriller movie Uriyadi in the Indian Tamil language. In addition, he also shared the starring role alongside Mime Gopi, Citizen Sivakumar, Chandru Kumar, Henna Bella, Jeyakanth Velu, and Suruli. The story takes place in the 1990s and centres on four bachelors whose carefree lives take an unexpected turn when they become involved in a political conflict. Yet, they ultimately discover how they are connected to one another. This gave a huge recognition to vijaykumar both as an actor and director but as a film it is still underrated but the good news about this film is second edition is planned to be released as Uriyadi 2 in the upcoming years

 4. Aaranya kaandam

The 2010 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir gangster movie Aaranya Kaandam, was written and directed by newcomer Thiagarajan Kumararaja. It is Tamil cinema's first neo-noir movie. The six main characters' (protagonists) daily lives provide the setting of the novel. Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the highly praised musical soundtrack for the movie, while P.S.Vinod was the camera man. Afte facing 52 cuts and severe criticismin the censor boardOn October 30, 2010, it made its global premiere at the South Asian International Film Festival, where it took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature. The movie was then honoured with two National Film Awards, one for Best Editing and the other for Best First Film for a Director.

3. Uttama Villain

Uttama Villain is a 2015 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Ramesh Aravind and written by Kamal Haasan. This is the posthumous film of actor and director, K. Balachander following his death in December 2014. Kamal Haasan, playing Superstar Manoranjan, learns that he only has a limited amount of time left after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. As a result, he asks his mentor, director Margadarisi (K. Balachander), to helm his next project, a comedy in the style of folklore about a man who keeps eluding death and his part in saving a kingdom. He must also manage his personal life, which includes his daughter from his longtime love and his estranged son. As a stereotype most of the films written/directed by kamal haasan did not get the recognition when it is being originally released but it is praised to the maximum extent after fans start getting a good understanding but this makes his movies underrated or badly affects the rating of his masterpiece movies in the time of release.

 2. Aayirathil oruvan

The 2010 action-adventure movie Aayirathil Oruvan, was written and directed by Selvaraghavan, with R. Ravindran serving as producer. Karthi, Reemma Sen, Andrea Jeremiah, and Parthiban all had major roles in the movie. Three main characters set off on a journey to find a lost archaeologist in the story's centre. It is largely based on the real rise and fall of the Tamil Pandya kingdom and the Tamil Chola dynasty. The film's background score & soundtrack album is composed by G. V. Prakash which still remains one of the master piece sound track of kollywood cinema and it also bagged the award of best supporting actor. This film was re release last year due to the request of fans but nevertheless this film did not get the recognition and revenue when it was released originally.

 1. Hey Ram

Hey Ram is directed, acted and produced by Kamal Haasan. It was simultaneously made in Tamil and Hindi languages. Shah Rukh Khan plays a supporting role, making his debut in Tamil cinema. The film's soundtrack and score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The partition of India and Nathuram Godse's killing of Mahatma Gandhi are shown in this alternate history movie. The movie was shown at the International Film Festival of India, and the Film Federation of India chose it as its entry for the 2000 Oscars, however it did not receive a nomination. Three National Film Awards have been given to the picture. Although though the movie created a number of milestones for Tamil cinema, it is still considered to be one of Kollywood's most underrated films.

Conclusion :

All the movies in the list except Kamal hasan (the ulaga nayagan) are from debutant directors who give a unique perspective to the kollywood cinema, though their debutant films are underrated but still they have got the recognition for their work in one way or the other. And an other unique observation is most of the movies also have the director acting in it which makes them to give the content fresh, raw and in the way they want. But stating all of this Kamal Haasan has been an exception and has always been giving something to kollywood cinema which has taken tamil cinema to the next level. All the rankings done here are from the point of view of author based on public forum reviews and personal opinions so it may be subjected to change for each and every individual.