Unmissable Indian Thrillers of the Modern Era: A Compilation of Edge-of-Your-Seat Masterpieces
Modern Indian thrillers are captivating audiences with their fresh perspectives, layered narratives, and strong performances. These cinematic masterpieces offer a treasure trove of suspense, drama, and emotion, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
One such example is Thadam (2019), directed by Magizh Thirumeni. The film presents a murder investigation complicated by identical twins, leaving the police and audience guessing. The gripping storytelling, unexpected plot developments, and strong performances make it a standout in the genre.
South Indian thrillers, particularly from the Tamil and Malayalam film industries, are hailed as cinematic masterpieces. Thala 2025, Preminchoddu, Saaree, Zebra, Kondreal Paavam, Jathara, Veerapandiyapuram, V1: The Unsolved Murder Case, and Maruthi Nagar Police Station are recent suspense thrillers praised for their intense murder mysteries, shocking twists, and powerful performances.
Ratsasan (2018), a Tamil psychological thriller directed by Ram Kumar, is another example of South Indian cinema's innovative narrative structures. The film follows a rookie cop tracking a serial killer who preys on young girls.
Mumbai Police (2013) is a Malayalam thriller known for its shocking climax, while Super Deluxe (2019) is a film by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, featuring multiple intertwining storylines.
In Hindi cinema, Badla is a thriller adaptation of the Spanish film The Invisible Guest, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu. U Turn (2018) is a supernatural thriller that creatively blends mystery and a social message, and Kahaani (2012) is a suspenseful film set in Kolkata about a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband.
Andhadhun (2018) is a dark comedy-thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu, about a blind pianist entangled in a murder mystery. Game Over (2019) is a psychological thriller directed by Ashwin Saravanan, starring Taapsee Pannu.
Article 15 (2019) is primarily a socio-political drama, but its investigative storyline adds a thrilling edge. Badla (2019), another thriller film, offers no further details about its plot, director, or cast.
Vikram Vedha (2017) is a Tamil neo-noir film directed by Pushkar-Gayathri, featuring R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi, telling a story of a righteous cop against a cunning gangster. Evaru (2019) is a Telugu reinterpretation of The Invisible Guest, directed by Venkat Ramji.
The sequel to the 2015 film, Drishyam 2 (2022), directed by Jeethu Joseph, continues the story of Georgekutty battling new challenges to protect his family.
These modern Indian thrillers elevate the genre through intricate plotting, layered characters, and high production values, creating suspense that is both intellectually and emotionally engaging. Filmmakers are pushing creative boundaries, crafting stories that resonate universally while retaining their unique cultural essence.
- In addition to thrillers, Indian cinema also excels in other genres such as drama, comedy, and even home-and-garden shows, making entertainment a diverse and compelling landscape.
- Apart from movies, some Indian television productions in the 'movies-and-tv' category, like the suspenseful series 'Mirzapur' (2018), have also gained international acclaim with their gripping narratives and powerful performances.
- Beyond cinema and television, the lifestyle segment in India has seen a boom, with numerous home-and-garden shows educating viewers on the art of interior design, sustainable living, and more, thereby contributing to the overall entertainment industry in the country.
