But the other side of India’s film industry, dark and sharp, is as well known the world over as the cruder, more colorful world of Indian cliché India’s crime thrillers. While Bollywood blockbusters like Andhadhun or Drishyam grab the headlines, there is a slew of criminally underrated Indian crime thrillers that have gone unnoticed in the mainstream universe. Hidden gems, these sharp stories and gritty performances with psychological tension to match any global crime drama.
This article takes you deep into the world of underrated Indian crime thrillers films that deserve more recognition, praise, and your immediate attention.
Why Crime Thrillers Are Gaining Momentum in India
As streaming platforms have evolved, and an increasing fondness for sophisticated, multilayered stories has become popular, Indian crime thrillers have undergone a renaissance. Inspired by both Tinseltown storytelling and indigenous social issues in the socio-politically tinged works of Indian filmmakers, locally produced films are mixing local realities with common crime clichés of corruption, betrayal and the graying of justice.
Let’s now explore some incredibly underrated Indian crime thrillers that offer cinematic brilliance but have somehow slipped under the radar.
1. Ugly (2014) – An Emotional Punch in the Gut
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Available on: Netflix
A harrowing tale about a kidnapped girl, Ugly isn’t your typical whodunit. Instead, it spirals into a disturbing study of fractured relationships, systemic apathy, and human greed. The pacing is raw, the cinematography grim, and the narrative twisty enough to make your head spin.
2. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) – The Mind of a Serial Killer
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Available on: Zee5, Prime Video
This psychological thriller draws inspiration from a real-life serial killer in 1960s Mumbai. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s spine-chilling portrayal of a modern-day psychopath makes this film unforgettable. It’s dark, violent, and deeply unsettling—in the best way possible.
3. Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) – Desert Noir at Its Best
Director: Navdeep Singh
Available on: YouTube
Often compared to Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, this neo-noir crime thriller stars Abhay Deol as an amateur detective drawn into a dangerous web of lies in Rajasthan’s scorching heat.
4. Talaash (2012) – More Than Just a Mystery
Director: Reema Kagti
Available on: Netflix, Prime Video
Starring Aamir Khan, Talaash combines police procedural with supernatural elements. While it received mixed reviews at release, its layered storytelling and emotional core have earned it cult status over time.
5. Paanch (Unreleased) – A Cult Classic You’ve Never Seen
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Available on: DVD/Blu-ray (hard to find)
Banned for years, this controversial film is inspired by the Joshi-Abhyankar serial murders. Its punk rock attitude and unapologetic violence make it stand out even today.
6. 99 (2009) – Crime Meets Comedy
Directors: Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru
Available on: Prime Video
Set in 1999, this film is part heist thriller, part comedy, with just the right amount of satire. Kunal Khemu and Boman Irani are pitch-perfect in this offbeat crime story that’s fun yet smart.
7. B.A. Pass (2013) – A Thriller with a Morally Complex Edge
Director: Ajay Bahl
Available on: Netflix
Though technically a neo-noir erotic thriller, B.A. Pass delves deep into the dark alleys of human exploitation. It’s a slow burn that leaves a lasting impact, raising unsettling questions about survival, sexuality, and choice.
8. Aaranya Kaandam (2010) – Tamil Cinema’s Tarantino Moment
Language: Tamil (Subtitled)
Director: Thiagarajan Kumararaja
Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
This genre-defying neo-noir crime thriller unfolds over a single day in Chennai’s underworld. With sharp dialogues and nonlinear storytelling, it’s Tamil cinema at its boldest.
9. Monica, O My Darling (2022) – Stylish, Sleek, Subversive
Director: Vasan Bala
Available on: Netflix
A dark comedy murder mystery that’s both an ode to retro Bollywood and a clever critique of modern capitalism. With a brilliant ensemble cast and pulpy aesthetics, it’s a genre twist done right.
10. Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011) – Crime, Chaos, and a Love Story
Director: Sudhir Mishra
Available on: YouTube
A complex narrative that combines love, betrayal, and crime, Yeh Saali Zindagi keeps viewers on edge with its nonlinear structure and memorable dialogues. Irrfan Khan’s performance alone makes it worth watching.
Bollywood vs. Hollywood: How Indian Thrillers Adapt Global Tropes
While Hollywood thrillers often follow streamlined three-act structures, Indian thrillers are increasingly taking a hybrid approach:
- Localization of Narrative: Instead of LA or New York backdrops, stories are set in Delhi’s underbelly, Kolkata’s lanes, or rural Maharashtra.
- Moral Ambiguity: Indian films explore the gray rather than the black-and-white.
- Family & Society Themes: Even the most intense crime thrillers often have underlying family dynamics or social commentary.
This cultural contextualization sets Indian thrillers apart while borrowing the pacing, tension-building, and twists from their Western counterparts.
The Future of Crime Thrillers in India: Powered by AI & Streaming Data
With AI-driven analytics and streaming algorithms, platforms now understand viewer preferences in real-time. This has enabled lesser-known thrillers to gain cult status over time:
- Netflix and Prime Video curate hidden gems based on your watch history.
- AI tools help producers understand which themes are resonating—allowing more bold, experimental thrillers to be greenlit.
- Expect more data-driven storytelling, personalized content, and niche sub-genre explorations like cybercrime, legal thrillers, and psychological horror in coming years.
Crime Thrillers Are India’s Hidden Strength
The crime thriller space in India has been transitioning into one of the most electrifying genres in world cinema. These under-the-radar Indian crime thrillers are much more than just crush-worthy; they’re also mirrors that reflect society through their own no-nonsense, unfiltered light, showing us everything from political corruption to personal demons.
If you love edgy, mind-bending storytelling, this is the moment to journey down this rabbit hole. You will not only find good stories but also an increasingly sophisticated narrative maturity from Indian cinema.
(FAQ) Underrated Indian Crime Thrillers
Q1. What makes a crime thriller “underrated”?
A film that’s critically acclaimed or innovative but didn’t receive widespread viewership or recognition at release.
Q2. Are these thrillers available on OTT platforms?
Yes. Most of them are available on Netflix, Prime Video, or YouTube. Some rare ones may need extra digging or DVD sourcing.
Q3. Is there a language barrier in watching regional thrillers?
Not at all. Subtitled versions are widely available, and many platforms offer dubbed options.
Q4. How do Indian thrillers differ from Western ones?
Indian thrillers often include social context, cultural depth, and moral complexity—making them rich and layered compared to the typically fast-paced Western style.
Q5. Are there more upcoming underrated thrillers to watch for?
Absolutely. With the rise of OTT content and AI-based viewership tracking, hidden gems are more likely to surface and gain recognition over time.
