These films aren’t just romances—they’re alive with passion, heartache, and the unexpected twists that keep you guessing. From young lovers in the throes of first love to tales that weather time and circumstance, they leave their mark, raw and undeniable. Each one tells a story where love gets tested, broken, and mended in ways you don’t see coming. If you’re a sucker for the bittersweet, this list of 20 South Indian love stories is waiting to steal your heart.
Here are Top 20 Must-Watch South Indian Romantic Movies That Will Touch Your Heart
1. Sita Ramam
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Hanu Raghavapudi’s Sita Ramam isn’t your typical love story. It’s a slow burn that cuts deep, leaving a mark that’s hard to shake. Dulquer Salmaan plays Ram, an orphaned soldier with a look in his eyes that says he’s seen too much. He receives a letter, a twist of fate in an envelope, from Sita, played by Mrunal Thakur—beautiful, mysterious, and, as it turns out, a princess. What follows is a love story painted on a big canvas, with lush backdrops and high stakes. But fate, like a loaded gun, doesn’t play nice. Ram gets captured, and Sita is left to wait—twenty years of silence, longing, and hope that fades like a shadow at dusk. The story doesn’t end with a neat bow. It ends with Sita holding a posthumous award for the man who never made it home. It’s for those who know love isn’t always kind but always unforgettable.
2. 96
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video
There are stories that don’t let go, even when the credits roll. 96 is one of them. Directed by C. Premkumar, with Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha carrying the weight, it’s about two people who shared something once. High-school sweethearts, they meet again, twenty-two years later, at a reunion. Time’s done its work, but the feeling? That’s still there.
3. Geetha Govindam
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar
Geetha Govindam, directed by Parasuram, plays a different game. Vijay Deverakonda, smooth as always, falls hard for Rashmika Mandanna. First sight, first mistake. They cross paths on a bus, and Govind, not knowing who she really is, makes a mess of it. Turns out, she’s family—his brother-in-law’s sister. Now, it’s a chase, a stumble, a crash of misunderstandings and emotions. Govind hunts for her forgiveness; Geetha figures it out. The end? A love confession that’s messy, but honest. If you’re a fan of either actor, it’s worth the ride.
4. Fidaa
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Directed by Sekhar Kammula, Fidaa spins a tale as old as time—opposites drawn together like moths to a flame. Varun, an ambitious neurosurgeon with dreams stitched to the skies of America, crosses paths with Bhanumathi, a sharp-witted girl from a sleepy village. Their meeting, a collision at a wedding, ignites a rivalry that morphs into something tender. But love isn’t without its thorns; decisions and misunderstandings swirl like smoke in a dimly lit room. Yet through the storms and shadows, their journey shines, reminding us that even the roughest roads can lead to something beautiful.
5. OK Kanmani
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar
Directed by the masterful Mani Ratnam, Ok Kanmani weaves a narrative that grips you by the throat. Dalquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen play Adi and Tara, two souls who’ve thrown caution to the wind and shackled themselves together, shunning the traditional chains of marriage. It’s a tale that unfolds with a pulse, a must-see for those who appreciate Ratnam’s artistry. And if you didn’t know, OK Jaanu is the remake of this beautiful film.
6. Dear Comrade
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar
Dear Comrade is a gem crafted by Bharat Kamma. Starring Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, it traces the rocky path of Bobby and Lilly. Anger issues? Check. Differences? Check. But amid the chaos, their love blooms, punctuated by stunning performances and a chemistry that makes the heart ache and eyes glisten.
7. Tholi Prema
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Zee5
after a misunderstanding. Their journey will make you believe in love all over again.
Directed by Venky Atluri, Tholi Prema is a tale that clings to your heart like a cigarette burn on a dark night. Aditya and Varsha, played by Varun Tej and Raashi Khanna, are two souls caught in the web of misunderstanding, but the threads of love pull them back together. Their journey reawakens the kind of love that makes you believe again.
8. Majili
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar, Sony LIV, and Amazon Prime
Majili, directed by Shiva Nirvana is a bittersweet melody played on the strings of lost dreams. Naga Chaitanya’s Poorna, a cricketer sidelined by fate, finds solace in the steadfast love of his wife, Shravani, portrayed by Samantha Ruth Prabhu. As he trains the daughter of his first love, he uncovers buried feelings, and the story unfolds like a delicate flower in a storm.
9. Dumdaar Khiladi
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, Dumdaar Khiladi dances on the edge of laughter and love. Sanju, played by Ram Pothineni, finds himself in a bind, falling for Anu, the daughter of his mother’s friend. Anu, played by Anupama Parmeswaran, has her own troubles—her father, the hard-nosed Prakash Raj, has plans for her future, and they don’t include Sanju. When Sanju confesses his feelings to Prakash Raj, they strike a bet: will Anu choose love or obligation? The plot twists like a back alley in the rain, but through the chaos, Sanju and Anu fight their way to a happy ending that’ll leave you grinning.
10. World Famous Lover
IMDb Rating: 5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
World Famous Lover is directed by Kranthi Madhav. In the film, Vijay Deverakonda’s Gautham, an aspiring writer, goes on a quest to reclaim Yamini, played by Aishwarya Rajesh. He learns the hard way about the sacrifices she made and the weight of his own mistakes. This film cuts deep, capturing the raw, unvarnished truth of love today—a must-see for couples navigating their own tangled hearts.
11. Premam
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar
We’ve all been there—lost faith in love like it was a cheap trick in a back alley. If you’re still fumbling in the dark, let me point you to Premam. This South Indian gem cuts through the noise with a fresh take on romance. George, a young man with a heart shattered by first love, drifts through life like a ghost. But when Malar, a college professor, waltzes in, the sparks fly like firecrackers in a dry field. Her presence reignites the flickering flame of purpose in his life. Trust me, this film doesn’t just entertain; it restores faith.
12. Ninnila Ninnila
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Cast: Ashok Selvan, Ritu Varma, Nithya Menen
Where to Watch: Prime Video, & ZEE5
Ninnila Ninnila is a love story that sidesteps the clichés. Dev, a top-notch chef in London, battles muscle spasms that sneak up on him like a dark shadow. In the kitchen, he meets Tara, and the chemistry simmers. But just when it seems like a sweet escape, Maya enters the scene, unearthing a dark secret from Dev’s past. The plot twists keep you riveted, leaving you eager for what comes next.
13. Ninnu Kori
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Cast: Nani, Nivetha Thomas, Aadhi
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Ninnu Kori is a romantic-comedy that flirts with the edges of heartbreak and desire. It tells the tale of Pallavi and Uma, two lovers tangled in a passionate embrace. When Pallavi makes the bold move to elope, Uma pulls the brakes, leaving her heart shattered. She marries Arun and finds herself settled in the sprawling landscapes of the US. But love has a way of haunting the corners of the heart, and Uma soon realizes he can’t shake his feelings for Pallavi. He’s willing to pull every trick in the book to tear apart the life she’s built with Arun. The question lingers like cigarette smoke in the air: whose side are you on—Team Arun or Team Uma?
14. The Super Khiladi 3 (Nenu Sailaja)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Cast: Ram Pothineni, Keerthy Suresh, Sathyaraj
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, MX Player
Nenu Sailaja is a flick that’s sure to reignite your belief in love’s unpredictable nature. Hari, a young man searching for affection in the wrong alleys, crosses paths with Shailu, who turns out to be his childhood crush. It’s a sweet twist that leaves you grinning, reminding us that love often comes full circle, even when you least expect it.
15. RX 100
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Cast: Kartikeya Gummakonda, Payal Rajput, Ramki
Where to Watch: Prime Video
RX 100 is a tale steeped in the smoky haze of love and lust, where shadows linger and secrets twist like a serpent. Shiva, the gentleman with a heart of gold, falls for Indu, the daughter of a local politician. They dive headfirst into a relationship, passion crackling between them like electricity in a storm. But the clouds gather when Indu drops the bombshell: her father has other plans, a suitor waiting in the wings. With that revelation, the air thickens, and the heartbreak that follows hits harder than a two-bit crook’s fist.
16. A Aa
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Cast: Nithiin, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Anupama Parameswaran
Where to Watch: ZEE5
In the world of unconventional love stories, A Aa doesn’t disappoint. Enter Anana and Anasuya, cousins ensnared in a web of forbidden affection. Anasuya’s mother is a high-flying businesswoman, while Anana comes from a poor background. But it’s not just their backgrounds that clash; a dark secret lurks in the shadows, a hurdle to their love. Can they convince their parents to look past it all? The answer lies in the twists that unravel, leaving you breathless and wanting more.
17. Orange
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Cast: Ram Charan, Genelia Deshmukh, Shazahn Padamsee
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar
Orange: For the skeptics wandering through the smoky haze of love, there’s a flick worth your time. Ram, a graffiti artist in Australia, finds himself trapped in the confines of doubt. He breaks up with his girlfriend, a casualty of his belief that “forever” is just a fairy tale. But fate has a way of twisting the knife. He meets a captivating girl and begins to wonder if she could be the one. The question lingers like a bad whiskey: is she really?
18. Uppena
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Cast: Panja Vaisshnav Tej, Krithi Shetty, Vijay Sethupathi
Where to Watch: Netflix, YouTube
Uppena is a story of a struggle of the oppressed and rebels. Aasi is a fisherman, who is captivated by the beauty of Bebamma who is the daughter of the village head. Their love is the storm and she has to elope with Raja, because her zamindar father wants to get rid of her as she disgraced the family’s reputation. The drama is as tight as the bundle of a cigarette; I am glad we are on the edge of the seat waiting for the couple to fight it out despite all the odds against them to get a love story of their choice.
19. Super Khiladi 4
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Cast: Nani, Keerthy Suresh, Naveen Chandra, Rao Ramesh
Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar, ZEE5
Super Khiladi 4 is a classic tale of love that dances on the edge of desperation. Babu, a young man with more heart than sense, falls for Keerthi, a vision of beauty caught in a web spun by her father’s disapproval. The old man sees Babu as nothing more than a punk with an attitude problem. In a bid to win him over, Babu tries to polish his rough edges, only to discover another suitor has already stolen the old man’s favor. It’s a comedy of errors wrapped in a compelling storyline, leaving you chuckling through the chaos.
20. Chalo
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Cast: Naga Shaurya, Rashmika Mandanna, Achyuth Kumar
Where to Watch: Jio Cinema
Chalo: Here is the story of Hari, a man with a temper like a lit fuse. Sent to his ancestral village as a last resort, he unintentionally finds himself fighting for a cause that isn’t even his own. As he brawls his way through the troubles of the locals, he stumbles into romance with Karthika. The irony drips like rain on a cold night—his unplanned heroics are about to complicate his life in ways he never saw coming.
Conclusion
South Indian cinema has a knack for spinning love stories that stick to your heart. These films don’t just flirt with romance; they dive headfirst into the messy complexities of relationships—unrequited love, heartbreak, and redemption lurking in every shadow. Whether it’s the thrill of first love, the ache of forgotten connections, or the bittersweet sting of misunderstandings, each flick captures the raw power of love. It’s a chaotic force, one that can bring joy and pain in equal measure, reminding us of its beauty amidst the turmoil. If you’re hunting for tales that hit harder than a shot in the dark, this list of South Indian love stories is bound to snag your heart and leave you wanting more.
FAQs
1. What kind of love stories are included in the list?
The list includes a wide variety of love stories, from heartwarming romances and bittersweet reunions to tales of lost love, love against societal norms, and complex relationships that withstand time and adversity.
2. Where can I watch these South Indian love story movies?
Each movie in the list has information on where it can be streamed, including platforms like Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, Netflix, Zee5, and more.
3. Which movie has the highest IMDb rating on the list?
Sita Ramam has the highest IMDb rating, with a score of 8.6/10, followed closely by 96, which has a rating of 8.5/10.
4. Is this list limited to romantic movies only?
While all the films are centered around romance, many of them also incorporate other genres such as drama, comedy, and family conflicts, giving the stories added depth and variety.
