13 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
A phone call reaches across an old relationship and a difficult lockdown. Try this short reunion with Karthik and Jessie for a conversation about longing, boundaries and finding the will to continue.
Tamil drama short films
161 Tamil drama short films in the cafe, running 4 to 50 minutes. Many are thought-provoking or bittersweet. Each is a complete standalone short film, chosen by the cafe and played through its original video provider.
12 min · Tamil · Drama · Fantasy
A Tamil fantasy-drama about an aspiring filmmaker whose imagination starts writing itself into the story he's trying to make. Eleven playful, layered minutes.
22 min · Tamil · Drama
Karishma writes and directs this Tamil drama with Ram Nishanth and Priyadharshini Rajkumar. Twenty-one minutes.
17 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
An Idly Upma original shot, edited and directed by Sujith S: a simple, gentle Tamil tale from the lockdown months.
12 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
An introvert's carefully closed-off world is upended when an outgoing woman pulls him out of his shell. Settle in to see whether he makes sense of love or bends who he is.
8 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Spend a little time with the love story in “Kooravarthaigal”.
20 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
School memories and an affection never spoken come back in this nostalgic Tamil romance. Twenty minutes.
8 min · Tamil · Drama
A seven-minute Tamil drama in which one traffic-police encounter becomes a reflection on power and fairness.
42 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Joan Ashik's forty-one-minute Tamil romance for Vijay Sethupathi Productions: two strangers fall for each other in a dream before they ever meet. Poetic, unhurried and best for an evening.
11 min · Tamil · Drama
On a rainy Sunday, a barber and his regular customer talk about their lives and the pressures of modern society. Eleven warm Tamil minutes.
15 min · Tamil · Drama
Sridhar Shanmugam's Tamil social drama about poverty, education and whose voices get heard, billed by its makers as award-winning. Fourteen minutes worth sharing.
9 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
An eight-minute Tamil romance about family judgement and the choice to stand beside the person you love.
19 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Thamizh Vannan writes and directs this Tamil romance about words the eyes can say. Eighteen bittersweet minutes.
13 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
Spend a little time with the love story in “Mayakkama Kalakkama”. An encounter between strangers becomes a lasting memory.
15 min · Tamil · Drama
A Tamil social drama about care, responsibility and the world we hand to the next generation. Fourteen minutes.
25 min · Tamil · Drama
Arun D's Tamil drama about a single mother working as a maid who chases her ambitions in the face of class inequality. Billed by its makers as an award winner.
15 min · Tamil · Drama
For this family, a phone is the way into a classroom they cannot otherwise reach. Try Pichai Pugunum for a Tamil story about education and the cost of staying connected.
14 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Set aside thirteen minutes for a Tamil love drama from writer-director Nijil Dhinakar, with cinematography by Karikalan Kamaraj. Marappeno is presented as a feel-good romance.
19 min · Tamil · Drama
Kasimmaidheen's Tamil drama about a girl who can't attend online classes during the pandemic because her family can't afford a phone. Nineteen moving minutes, with subtitles.
8 min · Tamil · Drama
A shortage of carrots exposes something more troubling between neighbours. Try Theetu for a Tamil story about the prejudices hidden in ordinary exchanges.
31 min · Tamil · Drama
A young woman weighs a treasured part of herself against the future she wants. Watch for a story about choosing a life on your own terms.
16 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Some feelings stay hidden until it is almost too late. Try this Tamil musical romance with Amritha Aiyer and Rishikanth for a story of missed chances and second meetings.
44 min · Tamil · Thriller · Drama
Mithun Balaji's forty-four-minute Tamil psychological thriller. Settle in for a long, tense evening watch.
17 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
Spend a little time with the love story in “Antha Naal Gnapagam”.
18 min · Tamil · Drama
Banu Priya stars in Prem Kumar's Tamil drama about caste discrimination and untouchability, an Aadhan Originals production billed by its makers as award-winning.
15 min · Tamil · Comedy · Drama
Saravanan Aravind's first Tamil short, about how 'just five more minutes' can quietly change a life. Fourteen minutes, with English subtitles.
16 min · Tamil · Drama
A Tamil student film about following your passion, built on Steve Jobs's line about loving what you do. Its maker lists first prizes at several college festivals. English subtitles.
20 min · Tamil · Drama
Lakshmi Devy directs and stars in this Tamil drama about a bright young woman raised never to have an opinion. Its makers report awards at several international festivals.
29 min · Tamil · Drama
Settle in for a Tamil drama in which a mother and her teenage daughter face an unexpected pregnancy and the pressures closing in around them. A pick for a quietly searching family story.
20 min · Tamil · Drama
A Tamil social drama about ageing and how families treat their elders. Twenty minutes to make you call your grandparents.
22 min · Tamil · Drama
A Tamil social drama about the dignity and hardship of sanitation workers. Twenty-one minutes that change how you see a familiar job.
23 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
Settle in for a Tamil drama about a young woman pushed into a marriage without a choice, and the open question of whether love or freedom lies ahead.
15 min · Tamil · Thriller · Drama
Try “The Gamble of Time” when you’re in the mood for a little suspense.
17 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
An unexpected encounter gives two people a new chance at connection. A sixteen-minute Tamil romance.
13 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Childhood friendship and unspoken love leave a story unfinished between Chennai and Bangalore. A twelve-minute Tamil romance.
22 min · Tamil · Drama
Surendar's Tamil drama about Muthaiya, his wife and the house that holds them, with awards its makers list including the Toronto Tamil International Film Festival.
25 min · Tamil · Romance · Drama
Uma Swaminathan's Tamil romantic drama with Navaneeth Venkat and Ramya Murugan, an intimate look into Ayesha and Kathir's life together. English subtitles.
35 min · Tamil · Drama
A father reaches the hospital with borrowed money, but it may still not be enough. Choose Balloon Doctor for a Tamil drama about care, poverty and what it takes to help a child.
26 min · Tamil · Drama · Romance
A Tamil drama about a dancer wounded by criticism of her skin colour who learns to heal, love herself and dance again.
20 min · Tamil · Malayalam · Drama
Ride along with “Where Is My Friday?”, a Kochi-set story of a former techie chasing a film career who drives a cab to get by, until one passenger becomes the listener he needs.
Related guides
Tamil romantic short films · Tamil comedy short films · Tamil thriller short films · Tamil horror short films · Tamil short films · Malayalam drama short films · All guides