Dulquer Salmaan, the charming Malayalam superstar and son of legend Mammootty, has become a pan-India sensation with his versatile roles, multilingual films, and magnetic screen presence. With over a decade in cinema, he’s seamlessly balanced art-house storytelling and commercial blockbusters.
From heartfelt romances to intense thrillers, here’s a curated list of the Dulquer Salmaan best movies that captured hearts and bagged awards across India.
Must-Watch Dulquer Salmaan Movies That Made Him a Pan-India Star
Ustad Hotel (2012)
Director: Anwar Rasheed
Co-stars: Thilakan, Nithya Menen
Theme: Family, food, and generational values
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Dulquer plays Faizy, a young man who dreams of becoming a chef abroad but finds his true calling when he reconnects with his grandfather (Thilakan). The film explores tradition versus ambition, showing how food unites generations. Ustad Hotel struck a deep emotional chord and won three National Film Awards, marking Dulquer’s first major milestone.
Bangalore Days (2014)
Director: Anjali Menon
Co-stars: Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim, Fahadh Faasil, Parvathy Thiruvothu
Theme: Friendship, family bonds, and self-discovery
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Sun NXT
As Arjun, a carefree biker with emotional scars, Dulquer infused vulnerability and youthful charm. His chemistry with Nivin and Nazriya gave life to this tale of cousins chasing dreams in Bangalore. The film became a cultural phenomenon, celebrating friendship and modern Indian aspirations.
Charlie (2015)
Director: Martin Prakkat
Co-stars: Parvathy Thiruvothu, Aparna Gopinath
Theme: Freedom, adventure, and love
Where to Watch: Sun NXT, MX Player
Dulquer’s portrayal of Charlie, a mysterious wanderer, was both whimsical and soulful. The film’s narrative — following Tessa’s (Parvathy) search for Charlie — turned into a visual poem about freedom and purpose. With breathtaking cinematography and Gopi Sundar’s music, Charlie became a cult classic, earning Dulquer the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.
OK Kanmani (2015)
Director: Mani Ratnam
Co-stars: Nithya Menen, Prakash Raj, Leela Samson
Theme: Modern love and cohabitation
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
As Adi, a passionate game designer, Dulquer perfectly captured the essence of a modern-day lover torn between ambition and affection. His sparkling chemistry with Nithya Menen’s Tara made OK Kanmani a trendsetter in Tamil cinema, normalizing live-in relationships and redefining urban romance — with A.R. Rahman’s timeless score elevating it further.
Kali (2016)
Director: Sameer Thahir
Co-stars: Sai Pallavi, Chemban Vinod Jose
Theme: Anger management, love, and redemption
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Sun NXT
Dulquer’s role as Siddharth, a man struggling with uncontrollable anger, was a striking departure from his usual charm. His chemistry with Sai Pallavi added layers of realism, while the thriller backdrop intensified the narrative. Kali was a raw exploration of toxic masculinity, proving Dulquer’s ability to take on emotionally complex roles.
Kammattipaadam (2016)
Director: Rajeev Ravi
Co-stars: Vinayakan, Manikandan Achari, Shaun Romy
Theme: Caste, crime, and urban transformation
Where to Watch: Netflix
A gritty gangster drama set in Kochi, Kammattipaadam traces the story of Krishnan, played by Dulquer, who navigates friendship, betrayal, and survival amid caste-based conflicts. The film earned praise for its realism and powerful performances, cementing Dulquer’s reputation as an actor of substance in Malayalam cinema.
Mahanati (2018)
Director: Nag Ashwin
Co-stars: Keerthy Suresh, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Vijay Deverakonda
Theme: Fame, tragedy, and personal flaws
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
In this biopic on legendary actress Savitri, Dulquer played her partner Gemini Ganesan — a role that demanded charm, controversy, and complexity. Mahanati became a National Award-winning film and marked Dulquer’s massive Telugu debut, earning him admiration for his layered performance.
Kurup (2021)
Director: Srinath Rajendran
Co-stars: Sobhita Dhulipala, Indrajith Sukumaran, Shine Tom Chacko
Theme: Crime, identity, and deception
Where to Watch: Netflix
Playing the real-life fugitive Sukumara Kurup, Dulquer brought charisma and menace in equal measure. As both lead actor and producer, he created a stylish and suspenseful biopic that became a blockbuster. His layered portrayal made Kurup one of the most successful Malayalam thrillers in recent years.
Sita Ramam (2022)
Director: Hanu Raghavapudi
Co-stars: Mrunal Thakur, Rashmika Mandanna, Sumanth
Theme: Love, sacrifice, and patriotism
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video (Hindi)
Set in the 1960s, Sita Ramam follows Lieutenant Ram, a soldier who discovers love through letters from an unknown woman. Dulquer’s performance as a gentle, loyal lover was universally praised. With its stunning visuals, poetic writing, and soulful music, the film became a modern-day romantic classic across languages.
Lucky Baskhar (2024)
Director: Venky Atluri
Co-stars: Meenakshi Chaudhary, R. Sarathkumar
Theme: Ambition, morality, and social change
Where to Watch: Netflix (post-theatrical)
Set during India’s economic boom of the 80s–90s, Dulquer’s portrayal of Baskhar, a humble bank cashier who rises into the world of greed and temptation, was both relatable and gripping. His nuanced act earned him the Telangana State Film Award (Special Jury) — making him the first Malayalam actor to receive this honor.
Awards & Recognition
Over his career, Dulquer Salmaan has received numerous accolades:
- Kerala State Film Award for Charlie (2015)
- SIIMA Awards for Ustad Hotel and Bangalore Days
- Telangana State Film Award for Lucky Baskhar (2024)
- Filmfare Awards South across multiple languages
His ability to adapt to regional cinema while maintaining a pan-Indian appeal is unmatched.
Also Worth Watching
- Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013) – A cult road drama about freedom and identity.
- Solo (2017) – An experimental anthology where Dulquer plays four avatars of the elements.
- Karwaan (2018) – His Bollywood debut with Irrfan Khan and Mithila Palkar, full of humor and emotion.
Quick Top 5 Picks
If you don’t know where to start, here are the Top 5 Dulquer Salmaan Best Movies you shouldn’t miss:
- Ustad Hotel – for heartwarming family drama
- Charlie – for magical storytelling and visuals
- Mahanati – for a powerful biopic performance
- Sita Ramam – for timeless romance and emotions
- Lucky Baskhar – for his latest pan-India blockbuster
FAQs on Dulquer Salmaan Best Movies
Q1: Which is Dulquer Salmaan’s highest-rated movie on IMDb?
A: Sita Ramam (2022) holds one of the highest ratings, followed closely by Mahanati and Bangalore Days.
Q2: Has Dulquer won any major awards for his films?
A: Yes, including the Kerala State Film Award for Charlie and the Telangana State Film Award for Lucky Baskhar.
Q3: What is Dulquer Salmaan’s latest hit movie?
A: His latest blockbuster is Lucky Baskhar (2024), a Telugu period drama with pan-India acclaim.
From the soulful Ustad Hotel to the stylish Kurup and the emotional Sita Ramam, the Dulquer Salmaan best movies reflect a journey of evolution, emotion, and excellence.
Whether he’s playing a dreamer, rebel, or romantic, Dulquer brings authenticity to every role. With upcoming projects lined up across languages, this pan-Indian heartthrob continues to redefine Indian cinema — one powerful performance at a time.
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