As the Valentine’s Day spirit takes over, South Indian cinema is ready to sweep audiences off their feet with a diverse slate of releases. From quirky romantic comedies to heart-pounding survival thrillers, this week’s lineup features big names like Vishwak Sen, Andrea Jeremiah, and the directorial return of Arjun Sarja.
If you’re planning a cinema date or a weekend outing, here are the nine major South Indian films arriving in theaters between February 13 and 14, 2026.
South Cinema Showdown: 9 Exciting Releases to Watch This Week
This week is a treat for movie buffs, especially with the Valentine’s Day weekend approaching. From high-octane action to quirky romances, here is the full lineup:
1. Funky (Telugu) – The Director’s Chaotic Dream
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Vishwak Sen, Kayadu Lohar, Naresh
- The Story: Vishwak Sen plays a quirky and ambitious filmmaker. When a young producer (Kayadu Lohar) steps in to fund his project, a chaotic but romantic journey begins. It’s a perfect pick for those who love “behind-the-scenes” comedy.
2. Seetha Payanam (Multi-Language) – A Journey of Gratitude
- Release Date: Feb 14, 2026
- Cast: Aishwarya Arjun, Niranjan Sudhindra, Dhruva Sarja
- The Story: Directed by Arjun Sarja, this film features his daughter Aishwarya. It’s a soulful family drama about an aspiring chef who survives a fatal accident and goes on a journey to thank her saviors, only to discover a shocking secret about her lover.
3. Kaa – The Forest (Tamil) – A Deadly Survival Game
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Andrea Jeremiah, Salim Ghouse
- The Story: Andrea Jeremiah plays a wildlife photographer trapped in a remote, dangerous forest. This adventure-crime thriller follows her desperate struggle to survive against a sadistic villain named Victor Mahadevan.
4. Couple Friendly (Telugu/Tamil) – Success vs. Love
- Release Date: Feb 14, 2026
- Cast: Santosh Sobhan, Manasa Varanasi
- The Story: A romantic drama for the modern age. It follows a struggling designer and an IT professional. While their bond blossoms into romance, professional jealousy and the pursuit of success threaten to tear them apart.
5. Pennum Porattum (Malayalam) – A Village Under Watch
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Raina Radhakrishnan, Rajesh Madhavan
- The Story: A social comedy focusing on Charulatha and her pet dog. When a personal matter goes public, she becomes the target of moral policing and social judgment. The film highlights her fight against a judgmental society.
6. AT: Welcome to the Dark Side (Malayalam) – The Digital Underworld
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Shaju Sreedhar, Akaash Sen, Rachel David
- The Story: A high-tech action thriller where two individuals rise against a drug empire operating on the Dark Web. It’s a race against time to find a rogue hacker who holds the keys to the digital underworld.
7. Sweety Naughty Crazy (Tamil/Telugu) – The Multi-Relationship Mess
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Thrigun A, Srijitaa Ghosh, Iniya
- The Story: Shiva is a young man juggling multiple relationships at once. This romantic comedy explores the absolute chaos and confusion that ensues when his secret worlds start to collide.
8. Pookie (Tamil) – One Argument, Life-Changing Results
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Ajay Dhishan, RK Dhanusha
- The Story: A romantic drama focusing on a couple who has been together for six years. One night, a heated argument leads to a breakup, triggering a chain reaction of events that changes their lives forever.
9. Sukhamano Sukhamann (Malayalam) – Love and Ghosts
- Release Date: Feb 13, 2026
- Cast: Mathew Thomas, Devika Sanjay
- The Story: Theo is a shy, lonely ambulance driver searching for love. His journey takes a peculiar turn as he starts interacting with a strange group of “ghosts” while dealing with his own personal struggles.
Quick Release Summary Table
| Movie Title | Language | Genre |
| Funky | Telugu | Romantic Comedy |
| Seetha Payanam | Multi-Language | Family Drama |
| Kaa – The Forest | Tamil | Crime Thriller |
| Couple Friendly | Telugu/Tamil | Romantic Drama |
| Pennum Porattum | Malayalam | Social Comedy |
| AT: Dark Side | Malayalam | Action Thriller |
| Sweety Naughty Crazy | Tamil/Telugu | Rom-Com |
| Pookie | Tamil | Romantic Drama |
| Sukhamano Sukhamann | Malayalam | Romantic Comedy |
Why This Week is Special
The box office this week is heavily influenced by the Valentine’s Day holiday, with nearly 70% of the releases focusing on love and relationships. However, for those who aren’t into romance, the survival thriller Kaa and the dark-web actioner AT provide a perfect alternative for a high-intensity cinema experience.
Whether it’s the star power of Vishwak Sen or the fresh debut of Aishwarya Arjun, the South Indian film industry is ensuring that every type of moviegoer finds a reason to visit the theaters this weekend.