Kumbalangi Nights (2019)

Saji, Bonny, Bobby and Franky are siblings who mostly do not get along. However, a series of events forces them to keep their animosity aside and support each other

This is a progressive film that is characterised by its progressive themes and realistic screenplay. The film critiques hypermasculinity and patriarchy, morality, primarily through the juxtaposition of Shammi and Saji's characters

How Old Are You? 

This 2014 Malayalam film starring Manju Warrier revolves around a middle-aged married woman desperately trying to change her life. Her ray of hope to settle in Ireland goes up in smoke when her job applications are turned down by Irish companies

The married woman who is categorised to just a housewife by her husband and child empowers herself and women like her and becomes an entrepreneur who meets the President of the country. She defies all odds and does not let her age come in the way of achieving her dreams

Charlie 

This 2015 Malayalam film revolves around Tessa,who runs away from home to avoid getting married and rents a room. She finds a sketchbook of the previous occupant, which reveals an incomplete story, and decides to find the artist

Tessa's journey of finding an artist also leads to several life lessons as she comes across different people in her path. From learning to live her life the way she wants to making the most of her freedom to learning to make others happy along the way are some of the things that the film teaches you

Asuran 

Starring Dhanush and Manju Warrier, this 2019 Tamil film revolves around a farmer who goes on the run with his family as he is compelled to protect his son, who has murdered a wealthy upper-caste landlord in a fit of vengeance

The underlying message that the film wants to tell is that there is a devil (Asuran) lurking inside all of us, and comes out at times. Revenge will consume a person, will be their downfall, and in no way, will solve their problem

Anbe Sivam 

Starring Kamal Haasan and R Madhavan, this 2003 Tamil film features two travellers who get stranded at the airport. Aras tries to keep away from the man with a deformity. However, while forcefully accompanying each other to Chennai, they form an unexpected bond

The film taught us a lot about love, life and more. The film through Kamal Haasan's character makes us believe in the goodness of people and doing good deeds. The film, without being over preachy delivers the beautiful message of Love Is God (which is what the title means) without offending any person's ideals

Vaaranam Aayiram

This 2008 Tamil film starring Suriya and Sameera Reddy is the story of an NSG official who is on a mission to rescue someone when he gets the news of his father's demise. He starts reminiscing about the bond he shared with his father and the stories related to him

The film beautifully portrays the role of a father and the sacrifices a father does that often goes unnoticed. The film was so impactful that it is remebered by the audience even today

Dear Comrade 

This 2019 Telugu film revolves around Bobby, a student union leader with anger issues, who falls in love with Lilly, a state-level cricketer. However, his temperament poses an obstacle in his path to being united with Lily

Apart from being a beautiful love story, the film also shows how it is necessary to be an ally to a woman who has faced sexual assualt and not just treat her like a damsel in distress. The male protagonist proved to be a strong ally to the woman he loves and empowers her to fight for her rights

Yevade Subramanyam

This coming-of-age Telugu drama marked the debut of director Nag Ashwin. The film revolves around Nani, who after overcoming several obstacles and witnessing his childhood friend's death, embarks on a life-changing journey to the Himalayas

Nani's journey also teaches us a lot of life lessons including the fact that money is not everything

Manam

This Telugu film revolves around Bittu, a six-year-old, who loses his parents in an unfortunate car accident. Thirty years later, he comes across two collegians who look exactly like his late parents' young selves

The core of Manam is that without love there is no meaning to either life or to death. Love is the thread that keeps us alive and connected to other human beings

Dia 

This 2020 Kannada film revolves around Dia, who takes three years to confess her feelings to Rohith but after a terrible accident, she is told he does not survive. Later, when she starts seeing Adi, she finds out that Rohith is still alive

The film teaches us that life is full of surpirse and miracles. It also tells how the generation makes quick decision and regrets later. It asks us to take a break and take time to heal from the past