9 South movies releasing in theaters this week: Vidrohi to Matthew Thomas’ Nellikampoyil Knight Riders

Many South Indian films are set to hit the big screen this week, ranging from crime thrillers to horror comedies. If you’re confused about what to watch, here’s a curated list of releases you can see in theaters this week.

9 South Indian movies to watch in theaters this week

1. Rebel

• Mould: Ravi Prakash, Shivakumar Ramachandravarpu, Karishma Srikhar, Sai Keerthan Swargam, Thagubothu Ramesh, Madhunandan
• Director: Venkata Subramaniam Vijjana
• Language: Telugu
• Style: crime thriller
• Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Vidrohi is a Telugu-language crime thriller starring Ravi Prakash in the lead role. The film is based on CI Karthik, a brave and tough officer who is assigned to investigate a series of cases of abuse of women in their own homes, without their knowledge.

As Karthik begins his undercover investigation, he inadvertently sets off a dangerous chain reaction, sending matters into disarray. The film tells how the officer attempts to find out the truth in the face of increasing threats.

2. Cat Chukki Halli Hakki

• Mould: Mahesh Gowdha, Kajal Kunder, Jahangir MS, Veena Sundar, Lakshmi Siddaiah, Ravi Bhatt
• Director: Mahesh Gowda
• Language: Kannada
• Style: romantic comedy drama
• Runtime: tba
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Raj B Shetty, Virginia Rodriguez and Chaitra J. After directing the Mahira starrer Achar, Mahesh Gowdha returns with Billi Chukki Halli Hakki, in which he also plays the lead role.

The story revolves around a simple villager named Shiva who suffers from vitiligo. His life takes an unexpected turn when his marriage is fixed with Kavitha, who accepts him despite his skin condition.

However, Kavitha’s superstition regarding vitiligo brings emotional turmoil in their relationship. The film focuses on how the couple overcomes these challenges.

3. green

• Mould: Gopal Krishna Deshpande, Balaji Manohar, Dimpy Fadhya, RJ Vicky, Vishwanath Mandalika, Shiv Manju
• Director: Raj Vijay
• Language: Kannada
• Style: psychological thriller
• Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes
• Release date: 23 October 2025

Green is a psychological thriller set in a mysterious, eerie forest. The cinematic enterprise delves into the psyche of the protagonist as he confronts his inner demons driven by fear and loneliness.

As the jungle grows darker and more dangerous, the line between reality and illusion begins to blur. Can he survive the mental and physical jungle?

4. Sarala Subbarao

• Mould: Krishna Ajay Rao, Misha Narang, Rangayan Raghu, Veena Sundar, Rishika Naik, Sri Mahadev
• Director: Manju Swaraj
• Language: Kannada
• Style: Romantic period family drama
• Runtime: 2 hours 19 minutes
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Set in 1970s Mysuru, Sarala Subbarao is a romantic period drama that explores the journey of a married couple, Sarala and Subbarao, as they navigate love, tradition and personal aspirations.

The film promises a heartfelt story about enduring family values ​​and questions the sacrifices required to maintain a successful marriage.

5. Arhidra

• Mould: Ajay Surya, Navya Shree, Yogish Tiptur, Manjesh Gowda, Annapurna Tholishetty, Bhairavi Mahesha
• Director: Ajay Surya
• Language: Kannada
• Style: horror thriller
• Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes
• Release date: 23 October 2025

Aridra follows Virat, a TV show host, who comes to a haunted house with his crew to shoot a paranormal show, but discovers that the ghost of a young girl, Lucky, actually haunts the place.

As they struggle to survive, they uncover Lucky’s tragic past, having been sacrificed by greedy people. The film explores whether Virat and his team can bring peace to the malevolent spirit.

6. 1990s

• Mould: R. Arun Kumar, Rani Varad, Shivanand B. Turuvanur, Suprith R, Swapna Shettigar, Dev Rathvara
• Director: Nand Kumar CM
• Language: Telugu
• Style: romantic family drama
• Runtime: tba
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Based on a true incident that took place in Mysuru, the film tells the story of two lovers from conflicting communities in the 1990s. Their bond deepens against adversity, but social pressure, prejudice and tradition challenge their love.

The film takes us on a journey to see whether their relationship will survive or break under the weight of cultural expectations.

7. Turtle: A Story of Murders

• Mould: Sooraj Shetty, Vidya Prabhu, Chillar Manju, Jahangir
• Director: Venkatesh N.
• Language: Kannada
• Style: suspense crime thriller
• Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Tortoise: The Tale of Murders focuses on Vicky, a journalist investigating a series of mysterious murders in the city. As he delves deeper, he uncovers shocking secrets that are linked to the crimes.

The suspense builds as Vicky uncovers the disturbing truth behind the murders.

8. Yarigu Halbedi

• Mould: Chetan Vicky, Chaitra J. Achar, Comedy Khiladi Appanna, Ashwini Polepalli, Sharath Lohitashva, Shabarish Kabinale
• Director: shiv ganesh
• Language: Kannada
• Style: comedy drama
• Runtime: tba
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Yarigu Halbedi is a comedy-drama about a man whose small lie turns into chaos, putting his relationships and future in jeopardy. This light-hearted film explores how far someone will go to keep a secret, and what happens when the truth comes out.

The cinematic venture stars Chetan Vicky and Sapta Sagardache Aloe fame Chaitra J. Ethics play a key role.

9. Nellikampoyil Knight Riders

• Mould: Matthew Thomas, Roshan Shanavas, Sarath Sabha, Marin Philip, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, Ronnie David, Abu Salim
• Director: Naufal Abdullah
• Language: Malayalam
• Style: fantasy horror comedy thriller
• Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Release date: 24 October 2025

Nellikampoyil Night Riders (also marketed as Night Riders) is a fantasy horror comedy thriller starring Leo and Kumbalangi Nights actor Matthew Thomas.

The film, which was earlier postponed to avoid clash with Kantara: Chapter 1, hits theaters this week. The story revolves around Shyam, a vivacious and charismatic young man who, along with his close friends, sets out to investigate a mysterious darkness spread across the village of Nellikampoyil, a place known to the villagers wrapped in age-old myths.

Apart from Mathew, the film also stars Aavesham fame Roshan Shanavas, Sarath Sabha, Merrin Philip, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan and many others in lead roles.

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