Indian television and films have been always known for their great writing and variety of genres. Netflix, in 2025, India’s ability to produce a gripping thriller that manages to pull the right strings and reach the global audience. If you’re into gritty crime sagas, edgy thrillers or nail-biting whodunits, Netflix’s Indian content library will definitely have you covered. This article explores the Indian thriller series and movies on Netflix you can’t miss out on in 2025, providing a glimpse into their premises, themes, and what sets them apart.
1. Black Warrant – A Glimpse into India’s Infamous Tihar Jail(Decider)
Inspired by the memoir, Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer Sunil, Gupta/Sunetra Choudhury, Black Warrant is an engaging crime drama that presents audiences with gripping reenactments of what goes on inside Tihar Jail, one of India’s most feared prisons. The series chronicles Sunil Gupta, played by Zahan Kapoor, and his experiences encountering notorious prisoners and deep-rooted corruption prevalent in some institutions there. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, known for Sacred Games, the show offers a raw and unfiltered look into the Indian prison system. (Wikipedia, Decider)
2. Dabba Cartel – Housewives Turned Drug Lords
Dabba Cartel Dabba Cartel follows an out-of-the-box story of middle class housewives in Mumbai who are running a traditional-style lunchbox delivery service, which also acts as a front for a drug cartel. Featuring Shabana Azmi, Jyothika and Shalini Pandey, the show will dive deep into topics like women empowerment, crime and the double life women have to lead in the society. With an innovative plot and impressive performances, Dabba Cartel is among the best thrillers to watch on Netflix.(Wikipedia)
3. The Diplomat – Navigating Geopolitical Tensions
The Diplomat is a political thriller featuring John Abraham in the lead and is based on India-Pakistan relations. The movie explores the stresses, strains and internal and social disconnects that ensue for diplomats like Dev during such high stakes operation especially after a terror attack in Pahalgam. The Diplomat is a gripping account that provides a window into the complications of diplomacy in time of war. (@EconomicTimes)
4. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter – A Cat-and-Mouse Crime Drama(Decider)
A sequel to Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, this series moves its setting to Bengal and revolves around gangster-politician Bagha and the subsequent police chase. The series, directed by Neeraj Pandey and chronicling the corruption, the power play and the quest for justice in Bengal politics, is now available on Hotstar Specials. Filled with crisp production and action sequences, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is an intense supplement to Netflix’s crime drama offering. (Decider)
5. Pushpa 2: The Rule – Rise of a Smuggling Kingpin(Polygon)
Based on the blockbuster hit of Pushpa: The Rise, Pushpa 2: The Rule charts the journey of Pushpa, played by Allu Arjun, in his trajectory up in the red sandalwood smuggling empire. The film is known for its high-octane fight scenes too; the most notable one being Pushpa (with his hands and legs tied) taking down multiple baddies only with his body and teeth. Pushpa 2 is an action thriller that fans will not want to miss for the narrative and performances dynamic appeal.(Polygon)
6. Officer on Duty – A Tale of Crime and Justice
Here is the full re-cap point as Indian television police drama the series ACP Pradyuman who hearts on-a-wristwatch: CaptureID. At 134 minutes, the movie wades into the gray area of crime, justice and sacrifices on the homefront in uniform. With dialogues in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, the movie takes a pan-Indian look at crime and law enforcement. (What’s on Netflix)
7. Azaad – A Period Drama of Rebellion
Inspired by India in British colonial times, the film tells the story of an unruly young man who secretly educates a wild horse Azaad in the midst of abusing British colonialism. Featuring Ajay Devgn and newcomer Aaman Devgan, the film contrasts the values of freedom, resistance and the unstoppable nature of the human spirit. Azaad has a drama, thriller mix drama and it will be having historical base background of the story with lots of emotion. (What’s on Netflix)
8. Robinhood – A Suspense-Driven Telugu Thriller(@EconomicTimes)
Robinhood is a Telugu movie starring Anirud C and Kruthi in prominent roles and is a thriller and action film. Specific details about plot are scarce, but the movie is one of a handful of South Indian films making its way to OTT platforms in the West, like Netflix, that showcase an array of genres such as action, romance, and supernatural thrillers. Hello Charlie With a taut story-line, Robinhood contributes to the dense collection of Indian thrillers on Netflix.(@EconomicTimes)
Netflix’s 2025 slate of Indian thrillers is testament to that: It is a proudly local set of films that not only revives classic Indian stories but also seamlessly integrates modern concerns into these. Ranging from the gritty realism of Black Warrant, to the offbeat story of Dabba Cartel, the series and movies promise a great variety of thrilling experiences in store. Whether it be crime dramas, political thrillers, or a good old action-packed narrative, Netflix’s Indian library carries it all to keep you constantly on the edge of your seat.(britasia.tv, Reddit)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are these Indian thrillers available in multiple languages? Yes, many of these titles are available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, catering to a diverse audience.
Q2: Do I need to watch previous installments to understand sequels like Khakee: The Bengal Chapter? While Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is a standalone sequel, watching the previous installment, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, can provide additional context and enhance the viewing experience.(Decider)
Q3: Are these titles suitable for international audiences unfamiliar with Indian culture? Absolutely. These thrillers offer universal themes of crime, justice, and human resilience, making them accessible and engaging for international viewers.
Q4: How can I find these titles on Netflix? You can search for these titles directly on Netflix or browse through the ‘Indian Movies’ and ‘Thriller’ categories to discover them.
Q5: Are there any upcoming Indian thrillers to look forward to on Netflix? Yes, Netflix continues to expand its Indian content library. Keep an eye out for announcements on upcoming releases in the thriller genre.(Tentang Netflix)
