Crime, Mystery & Suspense: The Ultimate Bollywood Thriller List That Will Keep You Guessing

Why We Love Bollywood Thrillers

Bollywood has long been synonymous with colorful music, grand romance and exaggerated drama. But there’s another strand of the industry that has become hugely successful over the past few decades: crime, mystery and suspense thrillers.

These movies are full of edge-of-your-seat tension, unexpected plot twists, and a dive into the dark underbelly of humanity. From gritty whodunits to psychological mind games, the Indian film industry has delivered some unforgettable thrillers that rival even the best of Hollywood.

In this ultimate list, we dive deep into the best Bollywood thrillers of all time  spanning different eras, genres, and themes guaranteed to give you chills and keep you hooked till the last frame.

What Makes a Great Bollywood Thriller?

A compelling Bollywood thriller isn’t just about guns and gore. It’s a delicate balance of narrative tension, strong character arcs, psychological depth, and cultural context. Here are a few key elements that make a great Bollywood crime or mystery film:

• Unpredictable Plot Twists
• Strong Performances by actors that bring intensity to every frame
• Suspenseful Background Score that heightens every moment
• Realism or High Stakes that reflect real societal fears or issues
• Cinematic Direction & Visual Storytelling

With that in mind, let’s unravel the top crime, mystery, and suspense thrillers Bollywood has to offer.

Top 15 Must-Watch Bollywood Crime, Mystery & Suspense Thrillers

1. Andhadhun (2018)

• Director: Sriram Raghavan
• Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte
• Why Watch: A blind pianist gets entangled in a murder. This black comedy thriller is unpredictable at every turn. Tabu delivers a chilling performance, and the screenplay keeps you guessing throughout.

2. Drishyam (2015 & 2022 Sequel)

• Director: Nishikant Kamat
• Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran
• Why Watch: A middle-class man goes to unimaginable lengths to protect his family after a crime. The use of storytelling as an alibi is both clever and emotional.

3. Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)

• Director: Reema Kagti
• Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji
• Why Watch: A haunting mix of psychological thriller and supernatural suspense. It’s about grief, guilt, and closure, wrapped in a gripping mystery.

4. Kahaani (2012)

• Director: Sujoy Ghosh
• Starring: Vidya Balan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
• Why Watch: A pregnant woman’s search for her missing husband in Kolkata leads to an astonishing climax. Smartly written and brilliantly acted.

5. Badla (2019)

• Director: Sujoy Ghosh
• Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu
• Why Watch: A murder mystery with changing perspectives, power dynamics, and courtroom drama. Inspired by the Spanish film “The Invisible Guest.”

6. Raat Akeli Hai (2020)

• Director: Honey Trehan
• Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte
• Why Watch: A small-town cop investigates the murder of a wealthy patriarch during a wedding. Classic noir-style murder mystery.

7. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)

• Director: Anurag Kashyap
• Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal
• Why Watch: A disturbing psychological thriller inspired by the real-life serial killer Raman Raghav. Dark, gritty, and intense.

8. Ittefaq (2017)

• Director: Abhay Chopra
• Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha, Akshaye Khanna
• Why Watch: A remake of the 1969 classic. Two conflicting stories, one murder, and a detective trying to untangle the truth.

9. Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)

• Director: Navdeep Singh
• Starring: Abhay Deol, Raima Sen
• Why Watch: A hidden gem. A failed writer gets entangled in a web of deceit and crime. Inspired by the Hollywood film “Chinatown.”

10. Ugly (2013)

• Director: Anurag Kashyap
• Starring: Ronit Roy, Rahul Bhat
• Why Watch: A child goes missing, and the adults unravel in disturbing ways. Raw, real, and highly unsettling.

11. A Wednesday! (2008)

• Director: Neeraj Pandey
• Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher
• Why Watch: Not a whodunit, but a whydunit. A man holds a city hostage for a reason that stirs your conscience.

12. Special 26 (2013)

• Director: Neeraj Pandey
• Starring: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher
• Why Watch: A team of conmen impersonate CBI officers to rob corrupt politicians. Based on real events.

13. Ek Hasina Thi (2004)

• Director: Sriram Raghavan
• Starring: Urmila Matondkar, Saif Ali Khan
• Why Watch: A woman is framed and jailed, then returns with vengeance. Sharp, stylish, and emotionally satisfying.

14. Dhokha: Round D Corner (2022)

• Director: Kookie Gulati
• Starring: R. Madhavan, Aparshakti Khurana
• Why Watch: A hostage situation turns into a psychological maze. Layers of lies, mental illness, and betrayal.

15. 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009)

• Director: Vikram Kumar
• Starring: R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra
• Why Watch: An ordinary family watches a soap opera that eerily mirrors their real lives. A supernatural thriller with a twist.

The Evolution of Bollywood Thrillers: From Clichés to Class

Earlier, Bollywood thrillers often leaned on tropes overacting villains, convenient twists, and formulaic endings. But today’s creators are embracing gritty realism, layered characters, and social commentary.

With the influence of OTT platforms and global cinema trends, modern Bollywood thrillers now explore:

• Mental health and trauma
• Systemic corruption
• Gender and power dynamics
• Unreliable narrators and non-linear storytelling

Where to Watch These Thrillers (Updated for 2025)

(Availability may vary by region)

The Future of Bollywood Thrillers: Tech, Trends, and Global Influence

With the rise of AI-powered storytelling tools, data-driven audience analysis, and OTT content experimentation, the future of Bollywood thrillers is exciting. Creators are now able to:

• Understand viewer preferences in real-time
• Create hyper-personalized content based on watch history
• Use data analytics to predict trending thriller themes
• Integrate real surveillance tech (like facial recognition or hacking) into plots more realistically

As AI, automation, and data analytics become integral to storytelling, we’ll likely see more psychologically accurate characters, tighter narratives, and smarter twists.

A Genre That Continues to Evolve

Not Bollywood, which has moved on from simple crime dramas to complex psychological thrillers that are a match for any made elsewhere in the world. Whether you’re a fan of traditional whodunits or blood-drenched brutality genres, this list has a sampler plate full of the best that’s available for your viewing pleasure.

So settle in with some popcorn, dim the lights and allow these mysteries to unravel one shocking twist at a time.

FAQs – Crime, Mystery & Suspense in Bollywood

Q1: What is the best Bollywood thriller of all time?

Many consider Andhadhun and Drishyam as the best due to their unique narratives and unforgettable twists.

Q2: Are Bollywood thrillers based on true stories?

Yes, films like Special 26 and Raman Raghav 2.0 are inspired by real events or people.

Q3: What are some underrated Bollywood thrillers?

Manorama Six Feet Under and Ugly are critically acclaimed but not widely known among general audiences.

Q4: Where can I watch Bollywood thrillers online?

Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Zee5 host a large selection of Hindi thrillers.

Q5: How are modern thrillers different from older ones?

Modern thrillers focus more on psychological depth, non-linear storytelling, and realistic character development.