Best Indian Crime Thriller Movies You Must Watch (Bollywood + South)
If you love edge-of-the-seat suspense, Indian cinema has some of the most gripping crime thrillers in the world. From tight investigations and police procedurals to dark psychological dramas, these best Indian crime thriller movies are perfect for your next binge.
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| Best Indian Crime Thriller Movies |
In this list, I’ve mixed Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and other regional films so you get the best from across India.
1. Drishyam (2013, Malayalam) & Drishyam (2015, Hindi)
If you search for best Indian crime thriller movies, Drishyam almost always tops the list. The Malayalam original starring Mohanlal and the Hindi remake starring Ajay Devgn both follow a simple family man who goes to shocking lengths to protect his family after an accidental crime.
- Why it’s a must-watch: Brilliant writing, no loose ends, and a climax that stays with you.
- Great for viewers who like: Slow-burn suspense, smart plot twists, emotional storytelling.
You can also check out Drishyam 2, which continues the story with another smart twist-filled investigation. Personal rating 9/10.
2. Raatchasan (2018, Tamil)
Raatchasan (also spelled Ratsasan) is often called one of the best serial-killer thrillers in Indian cinema. A struggling filmmaker becomes a police officer and is pulled into a terrifying case involving a masked killer targeting schoolgirls.
- Why it stands out: Brutal, tense, and tightly edited. The investigation, the villain’s backstory, and the cat-and-mouse game are all top-notch.
- Great for viewers who like: Dark, disturbing thrillers with a strong investigative angle.
3. Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru (2017, Tamil)
Inspired by real events, Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru follows a dedicated cop who takes on a violent dacoit gang operating across states. It blends crime thriller, action, and procedural drama.
- Why it’s worth watching: Realistic action, grounded police work, and a gripping narrative based on the infamous Bawaria gang case.
- Great for viewers who like: True-crime vibes, police operations, and road-movie style pursuits.
4. Mardaani (2014, Hindi)
Rani Mukerji plays a fearless crime branch officer hunting down a human-trafficking racket and its chillingly calm mastermind. Mardaani is a tight crime thriller that doesn’t waste a minute.
- Why it works: Strong female lead, realistic treatment of a serious issue, and a very satisfying showdown.
- Bonus: It has a sequel, Mardaani 2, and a third part Mardaani 3 has been announced.
5. Vikram Vedha (2017 Tamil / 2022 Hindi)
Whether you watch the Tamil original or the Hindi remake, Vikram Vedha is a brilliant crime thriller with philosophical layers. A cop (Vikram) hunts a dreaded gangster (Vedha) who keeps confusing him with stories that blur the line between good and evil.
- Why it’s special: Inspired by the old Vikram–Betaal folktales, it combines mass entertainment with clever writing.
- Great for viewers who like: Dialog-heavy thrillers, anti-heroes, moral dilemmas.
6. Aankhen (2002, Hindi)
Aankhen is a stylish heist thriller where an angry ex-bank manager designs the perfect revenge robbery carried out by three blind men, trained specifically for the job.
- Why it’s unique: The heist concept is very different for its time, and the star cast (Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Sushmita Sen) makes it a fun watch.
- Great for viewers who like: Heist movies, big-ticket entertainers with thriller elements.
7. Badla (2019, Hindi)
Produced by Red Chillies and starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu, Badla is a confined-space crime thriller full of mind games. A businesswoman accused of murder hires a top lawyer, and the entire film plays out through their conversation and changing versions of the truth.
- Why it’s gripping: Almost no action, yet completely absorbing thanks to twists, unreliable narration, and a killer final reveal.
- Great for viewers who like: Psychological thrillers, talk-heavy courtroom-style dramas.
Feminist movies to Watch
8. Kahaani (2012, Hindi)
Set in Kolkata, Kahaani follows a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband. But nothing is what it seems. As she navigates the city, we slowly understand there’s a bigger game at play.
- Why it’s iconic: Strong atmosphere, memorable characters, and one of the most satisfying twist endings in Hindi cinema.
- Great for viewers who like: City-based thrillers, layered storytelling, strong female protagonists.
9. Asuran (2019, Tamil)
While Asuran is more of a revenge drama, it has strong crime-thriller elements — caste conflict, land disputes, and a crime that pushes a quiet farmer into a world of violence. It’s intense, grounded, and emotionally powerful.
- Why it stands out: Dhanush’s performance and Vetrimaaran’s direction make it a gritty, realistic crime story with thriller pacing.
- Great for viewers who like: Violent rural dramas, socio-political undertones, family-driven plots.
10. Jai Bhim (2021, Tamil)
Based on real cases fought by Justice K. Chandru, Jai Bhim is a legal crime thriller about marginalized communities falsely implicated in crimes. A lawyer takes on the system to uncover the truth.
- Why you should watch: Not a “whodunnit” but a how-do-we-prove-it thriller. Investigative sequences and courtroom scenes are tense and emotional.
- Great for viewers who like: Legal dramas, issue-based cinema grounded in reality.
11. Manorama Six Feet Under (2007, Hindi)
A hidden gem, Manorama Six Feet Under is inspired by Chinatown. A failed writer in a small Rajasthani town is hired to spy on a politician, only to stumble into a deadly web of corruption and murder.
- Why it’s underrated: Excellent writing, noir mood, and a slow-burn mystery that rewards patient viewing.
- Great for viewers who like: Neo-noir, dusty desert settings, quietly smart thrillers.
12. RangiTaranga (2015, Kannada)
RangiTaranga is a Malayalam-flavoured Kannada mystery thriller (and was a surprise global streaming hit). A writer and his wife visit a remote village, where local legends, politics, and dark secrets collide.
- Why it works: Strong atmosphere, smart twists, and a layered story that connects neatly in the end.
- Great for viewers who like: Village mysteries, folklore mixed with crime, twisty narratives.
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