This week we have Mathagam, a Tamil web series, set to be unveiled on Disney+. It has raised some amount of excitement, and it has brought the limelight to the Tamil web series. Unlike Hindi, Tamil filmdom is still grappling with the web series format.
There have been quite a few series in the recent past that confirm the fact that the Tamil film industry is coming to terms with the new style and format. Here are some of the best Tamil web series worth watching.
Best Tamil web series
Here are some of the best Tamil web series worth watching across Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, SonyLiv and Zee5
- Best New Indian Movies and Web Series on Disney+
- New Indian movies and shows on Prime Video
- Best new SonyLiv movies and series for June 2023
- New Zee5 movies and series in the UAE for June 2023
Story of Things
Year: 2023 | Platform: SonyLIV | Genre: Supernatural drama
The 5-episode Story of Things focuses on the supernatural and is easily one of the best Tamil web series that’s worth watching. It is not about ghosts but ordinary things that take on a scary element. Like getting phone calls from your mom who’s no longer alive? What happens when a second-hand air-conditioner becomes a portal to another dimension?
Created, written and directed by George K Antoney, the series gives life to everyday inanimate objects. The series stars Vinoth Kishan, Anshita Anand, Aditi Balan, Gautami Tadimalla, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Shantanu Bhagyaraj, Sidhique KM, Archana, Bharath Niwas, Linga, Ritika Singh, Roju.
Watch Story of Things on SonyLiv
November Story
Year: 2021 | Platform: Disney+ | Genre: Thriller
Written and directed by Indhra Subramanian, November Story has twists, misdirection, suggestive flashbacks, shifty and unpredictable characters, and revelations. The 7-episode series is a classic murder mystery where the quest to find the truth behind the crime unveils a series of hidden stories.
The series stars Tamannaah in the lead role along with Pasupathy, Arul Das, Vivek Prasanna, G M Kumar and Myna Nandhini. November Story unfolds mainly as a whodunit and also maintains a consistent tone both visually.
Sweet Kaaram Coffee
Year: 2023 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video | Genre: Slice of life
Sweet Kaaram Cofdee is a feel-good slice of story about women empowerment, travel and self-discovery. It is about three women from three generations who decide to go on a life-altering trip in a car. With Lakshmi, Madhoo and Santhy in the leads, the series strikes a blow for women’s freedom.
Created by Reshma Ghatala and directed by Bejoy Nambiar, each episode of this 8-episode series is the newest one on our best Tamil web series list and sees them taking a pitstop across different cities where they meet new people, understand several aspects, discover a side of them that had stayed dormant for years and introspect on the paths they have taken in life. It is a joyful ride.
Read our review of Sweet Karam Coffee
Vadhandhi: The Fable Of Velonie
Year: 2022 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video | Genre: Suspense
Created by duo Pushkar-Gayatri (they helmed Suzhal: The Vortex), Vadhandhi is a small-town thriller that’s about the killing of a young girl and the hunt for her killer. Created and directed by Andrew Louis, the 8-episode series is mostly riveting and makes excellent use of its set milieu.
It’s a slow-burn thriller that comes into its own, especially in the latter portions. The cast comprises S J Suryah, Laila, Nassar, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, Smruthi Venkat, Vivek Prasanna, Kumaran Thangarajan, Vaibhav Murugesan, Vikky Aadithya and Hareesh Peradi.
Suzhal: The Vortex
Year: 2022 | Platform: Amazon Prime Video | Genre: Crime Thriller
The series, created by Pushkar and Gayatri, and directed by Bramma and Anucharan, studies a close-knit community, questioning their beliefs and customs without being judgemental. Set in the fictional town of Saambaloor, the series is an investigation into the case of a missing person, leading to many secrets buried inside the small town.
The gripping 8-episode stars actors, including R Parthiban, Kathir, Aishwarya Rajesh, Harish Uthaman, Elango Kumaravel and Sriya Reddy. The climax reveal is a punch in the gut.
Anantham
Year: 2022 | Platform: Zee5 | Genre: Family drama
Anantham is the story of the house and the stories of its various occupants from time to time. And there is an underlying invisible thread. Directed by V Priya, who previously worked as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam, the 8-episode series is a bouquet of stories and a mosaic of emotions.
The various stories in the series explore the idea of acceptance and forgiveness. The show stars Prakash Raj, Sampath Raj, John Vijay, Vivek Rajgopal, Samyuktha, Vinoth Kishan, Indraja, Vivek Prassana, Vinodhini, Anjali Rao, Madhuri and Aravinth Sundar in pivotal roles.
Vilangu
Year: 2022 | Platform: Zee5 | Genre: Suspense
A cop undergoing a stressful personal situation must solve a mysterious murder case that has put the police department on its toes. The reality of Tamil Nadu police stations in its village comes alive with a chilling reality.
The series dedicates ample space to showcase the cultural side of the locality and the people’s beliefs. It also works as a commentary against discrimination, especially caste-based. The cops, too, come across as believably close. The 7-episode series, directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj of Bruce Lee fame, has Vemal in the lead role along with Ineya, Bala Saravanan, Munishkanth and R N R Manohar.
Auto Shankar
Year: 2019 | Platform: Zee5 | Genre: Biopic
Auto Shankar is based on terrifying real incidents in Chennai during the late 1980s and early 1990s. And Auto Shankar is the dreaded criminal who orchestrated many heinous crimes and struck terror in Madras as a serial killer.
The 10-episode series is based on the life of gangster Gowri Shankar, who became known by the infamous moniker Auto Shankar. The series unravels itself as a story told in hindsight across multiple timelines. The series is directed by Ranga and produced by noted cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa. It stars Sarath Appani, Saranya Ravi and Arjun Chidambaram, among others.
Iru Dhuruvam
Year: 2021 | Platform: SonyLiv | Genre: Suspense
Iru Dhuruvam is an intriguing crime thriller in that a serial killer perplexingly leaves notes that quote verses from Thirukkural. The cop, who is assigned to track the case, takes it personally. It gets worse when his wife is sucked into the narrative.
This slick 9-episode series stars Nandha Durairaj and Abhirami Venkatachalam in the lead roles. The series’ success spawned a second season and continued the story with the same main characters. But somehow, the second season did not click much.
Mugilan
Year: 2020 | Platform: Zee5 | Genre: Gangster drama
Last but not least on our best Tamil web series is Mugilan, an 8-episode series directed by Sriram Ram. It is an action-thriller that traverses between the 70s and now, depicting the life of a gangster named Mugilan. The story starts with a middle-aged underworld kingpin who lets his rage overpower his love for his family in a weak moment.
The series also explores the socio-political reality that leads to the birth of such gangsters. Karthik Raj and Ramya Pandian essay the role of Mugilan and his wife Maheshwari, respectively. Aadukalam Naren, Gayatri Rema, and Robert also have impactful characters.
That concludes our list of best Tamil web series across the OTT platforms. Lets us know in the comments below if you’ve seen any of these or if we have missed one that deserves to be on this list.
