Pa. Ranjith has emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s most outspoken and diverse directors. From the student politics drama Madras to the boxing epic Sarpatta Parambarai, Ranjith’s filmography takes on different themes but with a strong anti-caste system. His criticism of caste discrimination also stems from his association with his music group The Casteless Collective, a few members of which contribute to the soundtrack of Ranjith’s critically acclaimed Tamil movies.
If you wish to get started with the director’s best movies, we’ve got you covered with our streaming guide that will give you a definitive ranking of every movie and the information on where to stream them all.
What are the best Pa. Ranjith movies to watch?
All of Pa. Ranjith's films so far are worth a watch. However, it’s best to keep his mainstream ventures with superstar Rajinikanth, Kaala and Kabali, for later. While both movies were compelling with morally grey heroes challenging the system, the rest of Ranjith’s work is more nuanced.
His 2012 directorial debut Attakathi is a good starting point. The romantic-comedy starred Dinesh as Dinakaran, a dreamy casanova who falls for any girl who smiles at him. But after one particular lady re-enters his life, Dinakaran’s quest for true love begins. The film avoided familiar romantic cliches and presented a breezy exploration of modern romance instead.
But it’s the 2014 political action drama Madras that marked Ranjith as a force to be reckoned with. Starring Karthi as an angry young man archetype, the movie covers his journey from quitting his IT job to becoming involved in a political rivalry. With a wall creating a discord among two rival political factions, Madras explores larger themes like youthful angst, marginalisation of the Dalit (lower caste) community, and caste-based politics.
Following the success of Madras, Ranjith collaborated with Rajinikanth for two back-to-back action thrillers, Kabali and Kaala. Kabali starred Rajinikanth as an aging gangster who seeks to reunite with his estranged family after being released from prison. In Kaala, Rajinikanth essayed the titular role of a local slum leader who attempts to save his land from the clutches of a ruthless gangster-turned-minister.
While both Kaala and Kabali were subjected to mixed reviews, the tide turned to Ranjith’s favour with his 2022 Prime Video release Sarpatta Parambarai. Set in the world of rival boxing clans in 1970s-era Tamil Nadu, the boxing drama starred Arya as an aspiring underdog in the ring. The film drew immense acclaim for its performances, fighting choreography, and Ranjith’s directorial vision.
The director then brought out his anti-caste messages in a more explicit fashion in the ensemble musical drama Natchathiram Nagargirathu. The movie revolves around the creation of a local play, one that features Dalits, queer people, and even judgmental conservatives (many of whom unlearn their biases as the plot progresses). Balancing tragic reality checks with some optimism for the future, Natchathiram Nagargirathu proves how Ranjith can direct political movies with more depth and less preachiness.
Why is Sarpatta Parambarai Pa. Ranjith’s best movie to watch?
There is a lot to love about Sarpatta Parambarai, from its technical aspects to an emotional lead performance by Arya. While boxing movies often tend to follow the same cliches after Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky, the Pa. Ranjith film still excels with its focus on local boxing clans, ‘70s-era politics, and some standout training sequences.
Where can I watch the best Pa. Ranjith movies online?
Below you can find the latest streaming information for Pa. Ranjith's best movies. This includes every offer for viewers in India today. We'll also show you if any of his best movies are available to watch online for free.
