Crime thrillers have long been a favorite of movie-goers around the world. These films often feature a mix of suspense, action, and intricate plotlines that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. While some of this genre films are blockbuster hits that receive critical acclaim, there are many that fly under the radar and don't receive the attention they deserve. In this list, we will take a look at ten of the best underrated crime thriller movies of Tamil cinema that have captivated a section of the audiences but may have been overlooked by mainstream viewers. These movies offer a unique and fresh take on the genre, featuring gripping performances, unexpected plot twists, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the genre or simply looking for a great movie to watch, these films are sure to leave a lasting impression. Lets dive in

"Vidiyum Munn"

'Vidiyum Munn' is what one can call a Tamil language neo-noir thriller film directed by Balaji K. Kumar and released in 2013. The film stars Pooja Umashankar in the lead role as a seasoned prostitute who is assigned the task of chaperoning a twelve year girl against her wishes to gratify a rich old landlord. When murder ensues its up to Rekha the prostitute to try and save the innocent girl.

'Vidyum Munn' received critical acclaim for its tense and suspenseful storyline, as well as its realistic portrayal of the unlikeable characters and their motives. It was praised for its strong performances by the cast and its effective use of music and cinematography to enhance the film's atmosphere. Overall, "Vidiyum Munn" is a gripping thriller that explores the darker side of human nature and the lengths people will go to when they are desperate.

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'Sarabham'

'Sarabham' directed by Arun Mohan and produced by C. V. Kumar was released in 2014. It's one of those films that would have found much wider audiences if it had been released now. The film's cast includes Naveen Chandra, Salony Luthra, Aadukalam Naren, and others.

'Sarabam' revolves around an ambitious young man who is asked by the young daughter of a business tycoon to kidnap her and demand ransom from him. The plan goes awry and ends in murder and a much bigger crime is played out with a twin angle thrown in.

'Sarabham' received positive reviews for its unique storyline and engaging screenplay. The music for the film was composed by Britto Michael, and the cinematography was handled by Gopi Amarnath. Overall, Sarabam is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end when there is a surprising reveal.

Read : Sarabham Indiaglitz review

"Kirumi"

'Kirumi' is a crime thriller film directed by Anucharan and released in 2015. The movie stars Kathir and Reshmi Menon in the lead roles, with Charle and Vanitha Krishnachandran in supporting roles.

The plot of 'Kirumi' revolves around Kathir's character, Kathiravan, who works as a call taxi driver in Chennai. He gets involved in a crime incident and his life takes a dramatic turn. The movie explores themes of crime, corruption, and justice.

'Kirumi' received critical acclaim for its taut screenplay, realistic portrayal of characters, and strong performances by the lead actors. It won several awards at film festivals, including the Best Film award at the Norway Tamil Film Festival.

The music for 'Kirumi' was composed by K, while the cinematography was handled by Arul Vincent. Production was by JPR Films and was released under the banner of Mica Entertainment.

Read : Kirumi Indiaglitz review

"Kurangu Bommai"

'Kurangu Bommai' directed by debutante Nithilan Swaminathan was produced by Shreya Sri Movies with music by Ajaneesh Loknath and released in 2017. Bharathiraja, Vidharth, Delna Davis, Elango Kumaravel, P. L. Thenappan, and others starred in main roles.

Plot: The story revolves around a man named Kathir (Vidharth), who works as a car mechanic and struggles to make ends meet. He gets entangled in a web of crime when he agrees to transport a mysterious package for a gangster. The package turns out to be a Kurangu Bommai (monkey doll), and its terrifying significance becomes clear as the story progresses.

Reception: "Kurangu Bommai" received critical acclaim for its taut screenplay, realistic portrayal of characters, and impressive performances. The film won several awards, including the Best Tamil Film at the 65th National Film Awards.

Overall, it is a gripping crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns. Sadly it did not perform well at the box office.

Read : Kurangu Bommai Review

"Kuttrame Thandanai "

'Kuttrame Thandanai' is a crime thriller directed by Kaaka Muttai Manikandan which was made before he attained critical acclaim but released only in 2016. Produced by S. Harihara Naganathan with music by Ilayaraja the film features Vidharth, Pooja Devariya, and Aishwarya Rajesh in lead roles.

'Kuttrame Thandanai' loosely based on 'Crime and Punishment' revolves around a man named Ravi, played by Vidharth, who suffers from a rare condition called tunnel vision. He can only see things in a narrow field of vision, which makes it difficult for him to perform certain tasks. Being a collection agent he is given a job to collect money from a woman named Smitha (Aishwarya Rajesh) but finds her dead in her apartment and becomes a prime suspect in the case.

As Ravi tries to clear his name, he gets entangled in a web of lies and deceit. He discovers that there is more to Smitha's death than what meets the eye and he must find the real culprit before it's too late. The movie received critical acclaim for its suspenseful plot and the performances of its lead actors. It was also praised for its innovative cinematography and visual style.

'Kuttrame Thandanai' was screened at several film festivals, including the Mumbai Film Festival and the New York Indian Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. Overall, Kuttrame Thandanai is a gripping crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It is a mystery that the film did not take off at the box office in spite of unanimous critical acclaim.

Read : Kuttrame Thandanai Indiaglit review

"Kutram Kadithal"

'Kutram Kadithal' marked the directorial debut of Bramma G and was released in 2015 to much critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of contemporary social issues.

The film's plot revolves around a school teacher, Ravi (played by Master Ajay), who accidentally slaps one of his students, a young girl named Nila (played by Baby Rakshana), for being disrespectful. The incident leads to a series of unexpected events that eventually result in Nila's disappearance.

As the police and Nila's parents search for her, the film examines various societal issues such as corruption, child abuse, and the impact of technology on human relationships. The film's cast includes actors like Radhika Prasidhha, Sai Rajkumar, and Pavel Navageethan, who delivered noteworthy performances.

"Kutram Kadithal" was praised for its sensitive handling of complex social issues and for its strong performances by the cast. The film also won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film.

Read : Kuttram Kadithal Indiaglitz review

"Metro"

The 2016 film was directed by Ananda Krishnan who also produced it along with his brother Jaya Krishnan. The crime thriller features Shirish, Bobby Simha, and Sathya in the lead roles, with Sendrayan and Nishanth playing supporting roles.

The plot of the film revolves around a college student Mathi played by Sathya who becomes a chain snatcher to live the high life and joins a ruthless gang headed by Guna (Bobby Simha). In a twist of fate Mathi's own brother Arivu is aiding the police to nab the gang and when the sibling's mother herself is killed it becomes a war between blood and blood.

The film received positive reviews for its engaging plot, impressive performances, and tight screenplay. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of crime and the underworld in the city, as well as its well-choreographed action sequences.

Read : Metro Indiaglitz review

"Vellai Pookal"

'Vellai Pookal' is a 2019 mystery crime thriller directed by first timer Vivek Elangovan which is surprisingly masterful. It stars the late comedy actor Vivek in the lead role, with Charle, Dev, Paige Henderson, and Pooja Devariya in supporting roles.

The story follows Rudhran (played by Vivek), a retired cop who travels to the USA to visit his son and daughter-in-law gets embroiled in a case of missing peopl. He begins to investigate their disappearance and uncovers a series of unexpected events that lead him to a shocking truth.

The movie was appreciated for its unique storytelling, strong performances, and the beautiful cinematography. It was also praised for showcasing the issues faced by senior citizens, especially in a foreign country. The film was screened at various film festivals and won several awards. Overall, "Vellai Pookal" is a must-watch for those who love thrillers and suspense-filled movies.

Read : Vellai Pookal Indiaglitz review

"Jiivi"

The 2019 thriller with supernatural elements was directed by V.J. Gopinath and produced by M. Vellapandian. The film stars Vetri, Karunakaran, and Rohini in lead roles.

The story revolves around Saravanan, a struggling juice shop worker who plans to rob his kind hearted neighbour Sivagami (Rohini) and frame another neighbour. As he executes his crime he is shocked to realize that whatever has happened to Sivagami many years back is now happening to him and the life of his sister is in danger. Whether he is able to save his dear ones and repents for his crime or not is what the rest of the film is about.

The film was well received by critics particularly praised for its twist ending but did not enjoy patronage from theater audiences. Overall, "Jiivi" is a well-crafted thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end and should have reached a wider audience.

Read : Jiivi Indiaglitz review

'Parole'

On the surface 'Parole' follows two warring brothers, one a criminal and the other an ordinary person and how the latter tries to bring out the elder on Parole to perform the mother's last rites. However deep down its a murder mystery, a study about a mother's strong love for her off springs and how the line between criminals and those in power is very obscure.

'Parole' stars R. S. Karthiik, Linga, Kalpika Ganesh, Monisha Murali and

Vinodhini Vaidyanathan. It marks the acclaimed debut of Dwarakh Raja who has also written the script. A must watch crime thriller that went unnoticed during its theatrical release in 2022.

Read : Parole Indiaglitz review