Watch in Theaters This Week Nani The Paradise Meesaya Murukku 2, Keerthy Suresh’s Dorothy and More
South Indian cinema is heading into a packed theatrical weekend, with several Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films arriving on the big screen between September 24 and 25. The lineup features established stars, returning franchises and films built around different genres, including action thrillers, musical dramas, romantic stories, psychological suspense, horror and fantasy comedy.
Among the most-awaited titles is Nani’s The Paradise, which is scheduled to release on September 24. The film brings Nani back to theaters in an action-driven role and reunites him with director Srikanth Odela after their previous collaboration. At the same time, Tamil cinema has Meesaya Murukku 2, while Keerthy Suresh headlines Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy.
With audiences looking for different kinds of theatrical experiences this week, here is a detailed look at 11 South Indian films arriving in cinemas.
1. The Paradise
Release Date: September 24, 2026
Language: Telugu
Genre: Action Thriller
Director: Srikanth Odela
Cast: Nani, Mohan Babu, Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar and others
The biggest South Indian release of the week is arguably The Paradise, starring Nani in the lead role. Directed by Srikanth Odela, the film has generated attention because of its intense action setting and Nani’s transformation into a character very different from some of his more grounded romantic and family-oriented roles.
The story is set against the backdrop of 1980s Secunderabad and revolves around a marginalised community referred to as the “crows.” Nani plays Jadal Zamana, a man whose life is connected to the struggles of his community. The narrative reportedly combines social conflict, power struggles and action with a strong emotional component involving his relationship with his mother.
The film also features Mohan Babu and Raghav Juyal in important roles. Keerthy Suresh is associated with the project as well. The combination of Srikanth Odela’s filmmaking style and Nani’s performance has made the movie one of the prominent theatrical releases of the week.
The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on September 24, with a multilingual release planned. In Telangana, authorities have also approved a special screening on September 23 and temporary ticket-price revisions around the release period.
2. Meesaya Murukku 2
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language: Tamil
Genre: Musical Drama
Director: Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi
Cast: Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi, Ketika Sharma, Chaithra J Achar, Ramya Ranganathan, Nassar, Karunas and others
One of the major Tamil releases this week is Meesaya Murukku 2, directed by and starring Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi.
The movie carries the name of the 2017 film Meesaya Murukku, but Aadhi has clarified that the new film is not simply a direct continuation of the first movie. Instead, it explores a different story centred around a musician and places music at the heart of the narrative.
The film explores the evolution and legacy of gaana music across three generations. This gives the sequel a broader musical theme while allowing Aadhi to return to the world of music and filmmaking.
The cast includes Ketika Sharma, Chaithra J Achar, Ramya Ranganathan, Harshath Khan, Nassar and Karunas. Aadhi has also written and composed the music for the film.
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 25.
3. Dorothy
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language: Tamil
Genre: Romantic Drama
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Cast: Keerthy Suresh, Sananth, Rishikanth and others
Keerthy Suresh is set to headline Dorothy, a Tamil film directed by filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj.
The film revolves around childhood friends Karthi and Subbu, whose close relationship begins to change when Dorothy enters their lives. Played by Keerthy Suresh, Dorothy is portrayed as a compassionate and influential woman whose presence affects the people around her.
The story is rooted in a rural setting and explores relationships, friendship and the impact of changing perspectives within a traditional community. The arrival of Dorothy becomes a turning point for the characters, particularly for Subbu and his longtime friendship with Karthi.
The film marks another collaboration between Karthik Subbaraj’s distinctive filmmaking approach and a strong central performance from Keerthy Suresh. The movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 25.
4. Aaram
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language: Malayalam
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Cast: Saiju Kurup, Anju Kurian, Siddique and others
Malayalam cinema also has a suspense-oriented release in Aaram.
The film revolves around a central character facing a difficult moral and professional situation. As the story develops, questions of guilt, responsibility and institutional pressure become increasingly important.
With psychological suspense forming the foundation of the story, Aaram is aimed at viewers who prefer character-driven thrillers rather than large-scale action spectacles.
The movie is part of the Malayalam-language releases arriving during the busy September 25 theatrical window.
5. Anbil Avan
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language: Tamil
Genre: Romantic Action Drama
Cast: Ashok Selvan, Preity Mukhundhan and others
Anbil Avan combines romance with action and drama. The film stars Ashok Selvan and Preity Mukhundhan as a couple whose relationship is put under severe pressure after marriage.
The story begins with the couple trying to establish a peaceful life together. However, unexpected circumstances force them into a dangerous situation, turning their relationship into a fight for survival.
The movie is expected to balance emotional relationship drama with action sequences and a darker atmosphere. It is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on September 25.
6. Dhoomakethu
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language: Malayalam
Genre: Fantasy Comedy
For audiences looking for something lighter and unusual, Malayalam film Dhoomakethu brings fantasy and comedy together.
The story follows a newly married couple who find themselves caught in a mysterious time loop. Strange incidents repeatedly occur, forcing the characters to understand why they are trapped in the same sequence of events.
The combination of marriage-related comedy, mystery and fantasy gives the film a different tone from the action and psychological thrillers arriving this week.
7. Anumana Pakshi
Release Date September 25, 2026
Language Telugu
Genre Comedy Thriller
Cast Rag Mayur, Merin Philip, Prince Cecil, Brahmaji and others
Anumana Pakshi is a Telugu comedy thriller centred on Sunny, a young man known for his suspicious nature.
His constant doubts about people and circumstances become a problem for his family, eventually leading them to send him away. During his journey, Sunny travels to Kashmir, where he meets a woman and develops a romantic connection.
However, his life changes when an officer starts pursuing him. What begins as an unusual and humorous journey gradually turns into a mystery involving Sunny past and his experiences in Kashmir.
The movie adds a comedy-thriller option to this week’s South Indian theatrical lineup.
8. Spark
Release Date September 25, 2026
Language Kannada
Genre Crime Drama Thriller
Cast Niranjan Sudhindra, Bhavana, Prem Kumar Rachana Inder and others
Kannada cinema is represented by Spark, a crime drama thriller involving investigative journalism and a financial scam.
The protagonist is an ambitious journalist who begins investigating suspicious financial activities. His investigation eventually puts him on a collision course with powerful individuals.
As more information comes to light, the journalist finds himself dealing with a much larger conspiracy than he initially expected.
The movie combines investigative elements with crime and thriller themes and is scheduled to release on September 25.
9. Amanushikam
Release Date September 25, 2026
Language Malayalam
Genre Horror Thriller
For horror fans, Amanushikam is another notable release this week.
The film centres on supernatural events connected to a village and a mysterious local legend. As unusual incidents begin occurring, the characters are forced to confront the possibility that the old stories surrounding the village may have a connection with the events unfolding in the present.
The movie brings supernatural horror and thriller elements together and adds another genre option to the Malayalam theatrical lineup.
10. Lenin Pandiyan
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Language Tamil
Genre Social Action Drama
Cast Gangai Amaran, Roja and others
Lenin Pandiyan focuses on a social issue involving illegal sand mining and its impact on farming communities.
The story brings together farmers, a police officer, the judiciary and individuals connected to the illegal operation. As the conflict intensifies, the affected villagers are forced to stand up against forces threatening their land and livelihood.
The film combines social commentary with action-drama elements and uses a rural setting to explore the conflict between communities and illegal commercial activities.
11. Kalyanam Kamaneeyam Jeevitham
Release Date September 24, 2026
Language Telugu
Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama
The final title in this lineup is Kalyanam Kamaneeyam Jeevitham, a Telugu romantic comedy-drama.
The story centres on relationships, marriage and the complicated emotions surrounding young love. The narrative follows characters whose personal experiences gradually become connected through an unexpected story from the past.
With romance and comedy forming the central elements, the film offers a lighter alternative to the action-heavy and suspense-driven movies releasing during the same week.
A Busy Week for South Indian Cinema
The September 24–25 release window brings a wide variety of South Indian films to theaters. The Paradise stands out for its large-scale action setting and Nani’s lead performance, while Meesaya Murukku 2 returns with Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi and a story built around music.
At the same time, Dorothy brings Keerthy Suresh into a rural relationship drama under Karthik Subbaraj’s direction. Malayalam cinema offers psychological suspense, fantasy comedy and horror through films such as Aaram, Dhoomakethu and Amanushikam.
Tamil audiences also have options ranging from the romantic action drama Anbil Avan to the socially focused Lenin Pandiyan, while Telugu and Kannada cinema add Anumana Pakshi, Kalyanam Kamaneeyam Jeevitham and Spark to the week’s lineup.
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Overall, the theatrical slate is spread across multiple languages and genres, giving South Indian moviegoers a broad selection as the September 2026 releases enter cinemas.
