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If you like high-quality spectacle, heavy drama, and memorable characters, you probably have experienced the magic of Lyca Productions. This production house has steadily (and sometimes very noisily) emerged in Indian cinema over the last decade. The Best of Lyca Productions is a curated set of movies that you have to watch that keeps creating new ways to tell stories — from sci-fi exploits to gut-wrenching social tragedies.
Let’s take a walk down this cinematic memory lane and explore what makes these films iconic.
1. 2.0 (2018)
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
We're starting with the most costly film India has ever made - 2.0 - and although it is a team up with the likes of Shankar, Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar, it was then more than a film, it's a sequel to Enthiran (Robot); it's an experience of seeing. 2.0 offered new visual effects, sociological implications, and pure star power; regardless, 2.0 showcased what was capable in a contemporary Indian science fiction film. This was a huge gamble for Best of Lyca Productions and they received a nice return.
2. Ponniyin Selvan: I & II (2022, 2023)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 (PS-I), 7.3/10 (PS-II)
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
These films, adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy's historical works, were stylishly and passionately captured by Mani Ratnam as epics. Ponniyin Selvan was cinematic beauty with an ensemble cast of Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Jayam Ravi and Trisha. This tremendous undertaking, funded by Best of Lyca Productions left viewers astonished and restored a glorious time in Tamil history and give them a feeling of aww.
3. Kaththi (2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Available on: Sun NXT
AR Murugadoss, Vijay. A strong social message is what shown in the movie Kaththi and what it meant to be. Kaththi was the perfect storm to kick off a conversation on corporate exploitation and farmer suicides. It was also one of Best of Lyca Productions first bona fide hits, showing the studio's interest and comfort with tackling social awareness topics commercially.
4. Kaala (2018)
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Kaala, featuring Rajinikanth and director Pa. Ranjith, was a bold statement movie dealing with urban inequity, caste, and class. It was loud, scrappy, and utterly political, and while Lyca created something so unconventional, the end result, like all great films, is still contested and discussed.
Also Read: Tamil Actor Nani's 'Hit 3' Teaser Out: Know Its Cast, & Release Date
5. Darbar (2020)
IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
Available on: Netflix
Darbar, an action masala film by AR Murugadoss, was yet another vehicle for Rajinikanth. Although it received a fair bit of negative reviews, one cannot doubt Thalaivar's ability to pull in an audience, nor Lyca's ability to market the film. For fans, this was Rajini as a police officer (what else?) with all of the action, swag, and good one-liners.
6. Cobra (2022)
IMDb Rating: 5.2/10
Available on: SonyLIV
Vikram returned in style with the complex and cerebral thriller Cobra, in which he performed in numerous roles. Directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu, the film blended math, murder, and lunacy into a visual and intellectual puzzler. Regardless of opposing viewpoints, it showed Best of Lyca Productions ongoing commitment to developing high-end stories and productions that push boundaries. Cobra undoubtedly earns its place on the Best of Lyca Productions list due to its scale and ambition.
7. Viswasam (2019) – Distribution Brilliance
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Available on: Amazon Prime
Although Lyca did not produce Viswasam, their distribution campaign distributed the film extensively. In Tamil Nadu and beyond, this film of Ajith was a wild success. The success proved that Lyca has a good perception of what projects work with the masses.
Best of Lyca Productions is a supporter of ideas as well as cinematic productions. Their decisions are bold and eclectic, whether they are big-budget extravaganza or politically oriented dramas. Such celebrity names as Rajinikanth, Vijay, Mani Ratnam, and Shankar—a production house for directors in all but name—have been their collaborators.
Also, they do not mind investing in lavish schemes. And Lyca has spearheaded efforts to take Tamil cinema to global markets, bringing regional narratives to the fore.
An example of how a very new studio may question the established quo, take artistic chances, and establish itself as a major player is The Best of Lyca Productions. Lyca's filmography is a great place to start, regardless of your level of interest in Tamil cinema or your want to learn more about interesting Indian films.
So next time you’re scrolling through any streaming service, look out for that Lyca logo. You might just catch a film that’ll leave a lasting impression on you.
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