Indian cinema is popular for its colourful storytelling and wide variety of genres. In this age, a large number of such entertainers has been brought under hammer, however, dark thrillers have emerged as exception gripping the minds of the viewers with their complex storyline. Many of these movies also mix suspense, crime and psychology to give you a story that is nerve wrenching and deep at the same time.
1. Andhadhun (2018)
- Director: Sriram Raghavan
- Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte
- Available on: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
A blind pianist’s life takes a dark turn when he becomes entangled in a murder mystery. “Andhadhun” masterfully blends black comedy with suspense, keeping viewers guessing till the end. (Top 10 Bollywood Thriller Movies: Conquer Evil with These Gripping Tales, Just Like Dussehra Celebrations! | magicpin blog)
2. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)
- Director: Anurag Kashyap
- Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal
- Available on: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.3 (11 Best Bollywood thriller movies that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats: Drishyam, Raazi to Kahaani | PINKVILLA, Top 10 Bollywood Thriller Movies: Conquer Evil with These Gripping Tales, Just Like Dussehra Celebrations! | magicpin blog, 20 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies)
Inspired by the real-life serial killer Raman Raghav, this psychological thriller delves into the mind of a murderer and the cop chasing him, blurring the lines between sanity and madness. (Unforgettable Thrillers: 9 Edge-of-Your-Seat Blockbusters from Indian Cinema”)
3. Badlapur (2015)
- Director: Sriram Raghavan
- Cast: Varun Dhawan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
- Available on: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 7.4 (50 Best Indian Psychological thriller films, Top 10 Bollywood Thriller Movies: Conquer Evil with These Gripping Tales, Just Like Dussehra Celebrations! | magicpin blog, 9 best South Indian thriller movies of all time on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more; Maharaja, Super Deluxe to Ratsasan | PINKVILLA)
A tale of vengeance, “Badlapur” follows a man’s transformation from a grieving husband to a cold-blooded avenger, questioning the morality of revenge. (Top 10 Bollywood Thriller Movies: Conquer Evil with These Gripping Tales, Just Like Dussehra Celebrations! | magicpin blog)
4. Kahaani (2012)
- Director: Sujoy Ghosh
- Cast: Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chatterjee
- Available on: JioCinema
- IMDb Rating: 8.1 (50 Best Indian Psychological thriller films, 20 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies, 17 best suspenseful Hindi thriller movies that will mess with your head and blow your mind; on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, JioCinema and more)
Set against the backdrop of Kolkata, a pregnant woman’s search for her missing husband unravels secrets and lies, culminating in a shocking revelation. (50 Best Indian Psychological thriller films)
5. Drishyam (2015)
- Director: Nishikant Kamat
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu
- Available on: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.2 (7 best edge-of-the-seat psychological thrillers on JioCinema that’ll disturb your peace of mind | GQ India)
A gripping narrative of a father’s desperate measures to protect his family, “Drishyam” challenges perceptions of right and wrong. (7 best edge-of-the-seat psychological thrillers on JioCinema that’ll disturb your peace of mind | GQ India)
6. Talvar (2015)
- Director: Meghna Gulzar
- Cast: Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma
- Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.2 (15 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies – Top Suspense & Mystery Indian Movies of All Time, 17 best suspenseful Hindi thriller movies that will mess with your head and blow your mind; on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, JioCinema and more)
Based on the real-life Noida double murder case, “Talvar” presents multiple perspectives of the investigation, highlighting the complexities of the justice system. (15 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies – Top Suspense & Mystery Indian Movies of All Time)
7. Kaun? (1999)
- Director: Ram Gopal Varma
- Cast: Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee
- Available on: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 7.8 (20 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies)
A psychological thriller set entirely within a house, “Kaun?” keeps audiences on edge with its claustrophobic setting and unexpected twists. (20 Best Bollywood Thriller Movies)
8. Ratsasan (2018)
- Director: Ram Kumar
- Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Amala Paul
- Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
- IMDb Rating: 8.4 (“Hidden Thrills: 10 Unseen Underrated Indian Thriller Movies to Watch Right Now” – MoviezHunt, 9 best South Indian thriller movies of all time on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more; Maharaja, Super Deluxe to Ratsasan | PINKVILLA)
A Tamil thriller that follows a cop’s pursuit of a serial killer targeting schoolgirls, “Ratsasan” is lauded for its intense narrative and chilling antagonist. (“Hidden Thrills: 10 Unseen Underrated Indian Thriller Movies to Watch Right Now” – MoviezHunt)
9. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)
- Director: Anurag Kashyap
- Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
- Available on: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 8.2 (11 Best Bollywood thriller movies that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats: Drishyam, Raazi to Kahaani | PINKVILLA, Slumdog Millionaire’s Bollywood Ancestors)
An epic saga of crime, politics, and revenge spanning generations, this film offers a gritty portrayal of the coal mafia in Dhanbad. (11 Best Bollywood thriller movies that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats: Drishyam, Raazi to Kahaani | PINKVILLA)
10. A Wednesday (2008)
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher
- Available on: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 8.1 (11 Best Bollywood thriller movies that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats: Drishyam, Raazi to Kahaani | PINKVILLA)
Aam admi to the rescue with a desperate act to save India from man-made genocide, which calls into question the custodians of law & order, and ends with a twist in the tale!
These movies depict the sleazy, dark aspect of thriller in Indian Cinema. From psychological mind-benders to harrowing true-crime stories, each of these offers a quality that both challenges and thrills various parts of our intellect. For fans of the darker side of storytelling and Hitchcock’s signature suspense, these films are a must-see.
FAQs
Q1: Are these movies available with English subtitles?
Yes, most of these films are available on streaming platforms with English subtitles.
Q2: Are there any sequels to these movies?
Yes, for instance, “Drishyam” has a sequel titled “Drishyam 2,” continuing the gripping narrative. (17 best suspenseful Hindi thriller movies that will mess with your head and blow your mind; on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, JioCinema and more)
Q3: Are these films suitable for international audiences?
Absolutely. The universal themes and high-quality storytelling make them appealing to a global audience.
Q4: Are there any regional language films in this list?
Yes, “Ratsasan” is a Tamil-language film, showcasing the diversity of Indian cinema. (“Hidden Thrills: 10 Unseen Underrated Indian Thriller Movies to Watch Right Now” – MoviezHunt)
Q5: Where can I watch these movies?
These films are available on various streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and JioCinema. (17 best suspenseful Hindi thriller movies that will mess with your head and blow your mind; on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, JioCinema and more)