Here are six Kollywood movies that completely capture the essence of Chennai and accentuate its beauty.

Chennai, home of the beloved Kollywood industry is also a prime spot for some beautiful and picturesque outdoor shooting spots with serene beaches, temples, gardens, churches, and even slums, Chennai provides a vibrant culture that entices filmmakers to capture it on reel. Even with the new changes in modern cinema, Chennai hasn’t lost its charm. For all those missing the streets, we have curated a list of movies that capture the true essence and emphasize the unique character of the beautiful city so, read on!

1. Vada Chennai

This gangster thriller follows a non-linear narrative, moving between different periods and paints a dark tale of bloody gang violence. The storyline charts the life of a skilled carrom player Anbu (Dhanush), who joins the gangs of North Chennai only to later realize that they want to annihilate his locality. Wishing to seek revenge, what ensues is an eruptive war between two gangs over territory and politics. The movie captures the volatile environment surrounding North Chennai with pinpoint accuracy and spectacularly encapsulates the old-world-charm of people living in the area between the years 1980 to 2000. You absolutely can’t miss this one!

Watch Online Here | Vada Chennai

2. 96

This film narrates the lives of two high school sweethearts, separated in high school due to the boy’s father going through financial difficulties but reunite again after 22 years during their ‘96 batch reunion (hence the movie title). This film is a fresh take on a romantic story, without the overused cliches and drama that seems to be a general trend in mainstream romance movies. It also beautifully captures the streets and locales of Chennai with some breathtaking shots that will surely make you miss exploring the nooks and crannies of this bustling city.

Watch Online Here | 96

3. 7G Rainbow Colony

A much-acclaimed romantic drama, this portrays the love story between a girl that recently moves into town and the tragic lower-middle-class hero who falls for her and tries to woo her. Not surprisingly, it ends with things getting out of hand when she refuses all his advances. But this isn’t your usual run of the mill love story. With incredibly emotional performances, both the lead casts have done an amazing job making it a real tear-jerker. There are also some beautiful scenes of the gorgeous Marina Beach that will make you pine to experience the sand between your toes and the ocean water lapping your feet, first hand.

Watch Online Here | 7G Rainbow Colony

4. Alai Payuthey

This movie explores the relationship of a newly married couple that elope against their families’ wishes to soon find out that married life isn’t all a bed of roses. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Chennai and the local suburban trains, this classic Mani Ratnam movie wishes to portray the struggles of married life and how compromise and a healthy balance plays an important role in any relationship. This movie was also later adapted into the popular Bollywood film, Sathiya. So, tune into this treat!

Watch Online Here | Alai Payuthey

5. Nayakan

Nayakan is yet another Mani Ratnam’s legendary classic. A young boy’s ( Kamal Hassan) father is murdered in front of him, whom he avenges and later flees to Mumbai, only to become a gangster acting as a new-age Robin Hood, blurring the lines between good and evil. This legendary movie also depicts the myriad flavors of Chennai, with the breathtaking facade of the Guindy Engineering College which will forever be engraved in our memory, all thanks to the intense heartbreaking scene at the end of the movie. Go and enjoy this masterpiece along with the aesthetic shots of the college and its beautiful front entrance and gallery, Now!

Watch Online Here | Nayakan

So, here’s sincerely hoping that the list helped you relive some important memories with this breathtaking city, making you fall in love with its charm all over again.