Intro:
Crime thrillers never go out of style—especially when it involves sharp cops chasing twisted minds. From gritty investigations to psychological showdowns, Tamil cinema has delivered some standout police procedurals over the years. With Eleven, the latest bilingual thriller featuring Naveen Chandra now streaming on OTTplay Premium and Prime Video, here are five other Tamil cop crime thrillers you can binge right now.
🔥 1. Por Thozhil (SonyLIV)
A sleeper hit from 2023, Por Thozhil pairs a nervous rookie cop (Ashok Selvan) with a hardened veteran (Sarath Kumar) as they hunt a serial killer targeting young women. With sharp writing and a chilling antagonist, this psychological thriller is both cerebral and suspenseful.
🔫 2. 8 Thottakkal (ZEE5)
Directed by Sri Ganesh, this 2017 film tells the story of a young cop who misplaces his loaded service revolver—only to find it connected to a series of crimes. Featuring Vetri, Aparna Balamurali, and Nassar, 8 Thottakkal is a nuanced blend of police drama and emotional introspection.
🧠 3. The Smile Man (JioCinema)
Released in 2024, this edge-of-the-seat thriller stars Sarathkumar as a retired cop battling Alzheimer’s who is drawn back into a case involving a serial killer who carves smiles onto his victims. Can a fading memory piece together a dark puzzle? Directed by Syam and Praveen, it’s a tense, emotional ride.
👮 4. Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (Prime Video)
A Gautham Menon classic, this 2006 film features Kamal Haasan as DCP Raghavan, chasing a brutal killer from Chennai to New York. With an iconic soundtrack by Harris Jayaraj and a gripping narrative, it’s a cornerstone of Tamil cop thrillers.
🎭 5. Ratsasan (Disney+ Hotstar)
This 2018 psychological thriller directed by Ram Kumar is a must-watch. Vishnu Vishal plays an aspiring filmmaker-turned-cop who investigates the serial killings of schoolgirls. With razor-sharp tension and brilliant twists, Ratsasan is a modern classic.
📺 Bonus Pick: Eleven (Prime Video, OTTplay Premium)
This Tamil-Telugu bilingual stars Naveen Chandra as an honest cop tracking a serial killer linked to a mysterious school that admits only twins. A fresh premise and eerie setting make it a perfect addition to your weekend watchlist.