The portrayal of women in South Indian cinema has undergone a tremendous change in recent years; With the Telugu industry known for its large-scale production, Malayalam Industry known for its compelling narratives and Tamil Industry knows for its energy and nuanced characters, female actors across these industries are being portrayed in progressive roles. With humanistic scripts and a thought-provoking approach to filmmaking, more and more women are seen taking up diverse and women-centric roles. As we gear up to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, here are some of the best South Indian, women-centric movies and shows you must watch on Disney+ Hotstar. 

Mookuthi Amman (Tamil)

Small-time reporter Engels’ life changes drastically when he meets his ancestral goddess Mookuthi Amman. What happens when she puts forth an intriguing plea? Written and directed by RJ Balaji in his directorial debut, the film stars Nayanthara and Balaji.  

Netrikann (Tamil)

When fear grips Chennai as girls get abducted in the city, blind ex-cop Durga (played by Nayanthara) becomes the prime witness in the case and the kidnapper’s object of obsession. Directed by Milind Rau and features  Ajmal Ameer, K. Manikandan, and Saran Shakthi in supporting roles. 

November Story (Tamil)

A celebrated crime novelist who has Alzheimer’s is found at a murder scene with no memory of what happened. Now, it is up to his daughter to save him. Directed by Indhra Subramanian, this Hotstar Specials series stars Tamannaah in the lead role along with Pasupathy M, GM Kumar and Namita Krishnamurthy.  

Take Off  (Malayalam)

The film is based on a real-life rescue mission to save the Indian nurses stranded in Tikrit, Iraq, during the country’s civil war in 2014. The film is directed by Mahesh Narayan, the film stars Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead role and  Kunchacko Boban and Fahadh Faasil in supporting roles.