While Waiting for Thangalaan OTT release: Stream these 8 films on resistance, and historical injustice

It’s safe to say that Pa Ranjith's Thangalaan is one of the most anticipated movies in the OTT space. The streaming audience has had to wait longer than usual for its release, sparking several speculations.

Many believed there was a fallout between the producers and the streaming partners, casting doubt on the film’s fate. However, producer KE Gnanavel Raja recently issued a clarification, dismissing these rumours and revealing that Netflix has scheduled the movie’s release for the Diwali holiday.

As Thangalaan won’t be available for at least two more weeks, here are some other films you can stream in the meantime. Each of these movies shares thematic elements with Thangalaan, whether it's oppression, magical realism, or historical resistance.

Starring Chiyaan Vikram in the lead role, Thangalaan revolves around the discovery of the KGF—the Kolar Gold Fields. The central premise may remind audiences of the Kannada blockbuster KGF , written and directed by Prashanth Neel. However, there’s a notable difference between the two. While KGF was made as an escapist spectacle, Ranjith’s Thangalaan delves into the unsettling history of oppression and resistance, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths.

With that in mind, here are eight films that reflect the same themes as Thangalaan:

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Paradesi:

Written and directed by Bala, Paradesi is a harrowing look at the struggles of tea plantation workers under British rule, shedding light on the brutal realities of colonial oppression.

Paradesi is streaming on SunNXT. 

Raavanan:

Directed by Mani Ratnam, Raavanan features one of Vikram's best performances. This modern take on the Ramayana blends themes of resistance and mythology, as a tribal leader takes on the system in a gripping story of defiance.

Raavanan is streaming on Prime Video, YouTube. 

Thuramukham:

A historical drama set in mid-20th century Kerala, Thuramukham explores labour exploitation in Cochin's port city. Starring Nivin Pauly, it portrays the infamous "chappa" system, where workers fought for survival under brutal conditions.

Thuramukham is streaming on SonyLIV. 

12 Years a Slave:

Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is a powerful depiction of the horrors of slavery and one man's relentless struggle for freedom. Its exploration of historical oppression may have been an inspiration for Ranjith’s Thangalaan.

12 Years a Slave is available on Prime Video. 

The Revenant:

More than just the film that won Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar, The Revenant is a visually stunning tale of survival, resistance, and revenge set in 19th-century America, highlighting man’s fight against both nature and oppression.

The Revenant is on Prime Video. 

Children of Men:

If you're a fan of the novel Children of Men and its film adaptation by Alfonso Cuarón, you might be surprised by the significant differences between them. Cuarón didn’t base his screenplay directly on P. D. James' novel; instead, he crafted it using the book's synopsis as inspiration. Children of Men imagines a dystopian future where humanity faces extinction. 

Children of Men is on Prime Video. 

Apocalypto:

Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto is a historical epic about a Mayan tribesman fighting for survival in the face of a collapsing empire. The film blends action with a deep exploration of oppression and resilience, much like Thangalaan.

Apocalypto is streaming on Prime Video. 

Blood Diamond:

Like Thangalaan, Blood Diamond tackles the dark side of wealth and exploitation. Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War, it’s a tense political thriller that uncovers the ugly truths behind beautiful treasures.

Blood Diamond is streaming on Prime Video. 

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