Indian cinema has gifted us with some of the best Thriller movies that kept us on the edge of our seats. From nail-biting suspense to spine-chilling plot twists, Indian thriller movies have always managed to capture the audience’s attention. These movies are known for their excellent storytelling, gripping performances, and mind-bending narratives that are sure to leave you stunned.

Although there are plenty of Indian movies that have caught our hearts and minds in many different ways, the ones in this list consist of different interesting flavours and aren’t just thrilling or shocking. There are elements of humour, drama and romance intertwined with the thrill, excitement and shock of watching shocking and deplorable situations unravel and will keep you on the edge of your seats in every scene.

Special 26 (2013)

Based on the 1987 Opera House heist, this heist thriller is a very interesting and thoroughly engaging watch in every frame. As we follow Ajay and Pramod’s ingenious plans to get money out of politicians and businessmen, we are pulled into the ups and downs of their personal lives, giving us a reason to root for them and understand their motivations. These personal notes make watching the movie more thrilling and exciting and as the story unravels, both Ajay and CBI officer Waseem Khan form formidable adversaries, making the water more and more muddy.

The movie is packed with suspense, drama, and tension, and the performances by the cast are outstanding. Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, and Jimmy Sheirgill have delivered some of their best performances in the movie. The movie also has a great soundtrack and amazing cinematography that will keep you hooked till the end.

Andhadhun (2018)

Tabu and Ayushmann Khurrana form the best rivals in this shocking black-comedy crime thriller wherein one criminal activity leads to another and creates a situation wherein no one can come clean. Khurrana plays a blind piano player who gets pulled into the murder plot of a retired actor by his wife, resulting in an insane plot and shocking revelations. Director Sriram Raghavan delivers a unique blend of suspense, thrill, and dark comedy which won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.

The plot is full of twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end. The performances by the cast are outstanding, especially Ayushmann Khurrana, who plays blind pianist Akash Saraf, and Tabu, who plays the enigmatic and mysterious Simi. Apart from the performances, the movie also excels in its technical aspects. The background score by Amit Trivedi is exceptional and adds to the overall experience of the movie. The cinematography by K. U. Mohanan is also top-notch, with stunning visuals that capture the essence of the story.

Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)

Anurag Kashyap’s neo-noir psychological crime thriller film is a disturbing watch. Following the cat-and-mouse chase between a serial killer and a corrupt cop, the movie is surprisingly funny thanks to Siddiqui’s rather matter-of-fact portrayal of the killer and how he goes about his “bloody” business. The taut thriller doesn’t stop to take a breather for a minute and throughout its 127-minute runtime, you go through a high that never really lets up even after you’ve finished watching the movie.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in the lead role, delivers a powerful and chilling performance as the psychopathic killer. The movie is not for the faint-hearted as it showcases some raw and violent scenes, but it is a must-watch for those who are interested in exploring the darker side of the human mind. It masterfully weaves together the themes of obsession, violence, and the human condition, leaving the viewers on edge throughout the movie.

Drishyam (2013)

Jeethu Joseph’s Malayalam-language crime thriller film took the world by storm and for great reason! The movie has been remade in multiple languages but it’s the original one that will always be our favourite. Starring Mohanlal and Meena in lead roles, it follows Georgekutty and his family as they struggle to face the issues when IG Geetha Prabhakar’s son goes missing and they come under suspicion. Although the plot seems simple enough, there’s nothing simple about this movie. It is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between Georgekutty and the police, led by a determined officer (Kalabhavan Shajohn). What makes Drishyam stand out is its well-crafted plot, which keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

The plot is well-written and cleverly crafted, with intricate twists and turns that will keep you hooked. Apart from the storyline, it’s the performances that truly sell the experience. Both the lead and supporting cast sell their roles with impressive determination and you cannot help but stay hooked to the storyline till the end. Apart from that, the film catches the beauty of Kerala so well that it feels like another character in this thrilling watch.

Talvar (2015)

This crime-thriller drama film directed by Meghna Gulzar is loosely based on the 2008 Noida double murder case that gripped the nation. Starring Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi, the film focuses on the investigation into the murder from three different angles and keeps you on the edge as you see different perspectives which makes the parents either guilty or innocent. The film takes a deep dive into the investigation, revealing the flaws, biases, and corruption that plagued the case.

The screenplay is masterfully written, with well-crafted and well-executed plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. The direction is top-notch, capturing the mood and tension of the story perfectly. The movie also offers a chilling commentary on the Indian socio-political system and how it can impact the justice system. With impressive performances by the entire cast, the movie is thrilling and extremely well-made and will pull you into its storytelling in no time.

Kahaani (2012)

One of Vidya Balan’s most memorable movies, this thriller film is a journey from start to end. Taking place in the stunning background Durga Puja in Kolkata, this movie is an emotional rollercoaster ride that paints a vivid picture of the woman in distress, only for the story to turn on its head soon enough, leaving us reeling from the impact! Director Sujoy Ghosh creates a visually stunning and immersive world that captures the essence of Kolkata perfectly.

Vidya Balan delivers a knockout performance as Vidya Bagchi. She brings depth, emotion, and nuance to her character, making her journey all the more compelling. The supporting cast, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Parambrata Chatterjee, and Indraneil Sengupta, also deliver excellent performances that add to the film’s overall quality. The film’s screenplay is masterfully written, with every detail carefully woven into the story to create a rich, multi-layered narrative. The dialogues are sharp, witty, and impactful, and the pacing is perfect, keeping the audience engaged and invested throughout the runtime.

Ugly (2013)

This thriller film is an extremely pessimistic look at society and delivers a storyline that will break your heart with its bleakness. While you sit at the edge of your seat for most of its runtime, it also makes your heart ache because the movie’s premise makes you lose faith as well. The confusing and intricate plot showcases people taking advantage of a disheartening crime, resulting in a wild goose chase through human’s terrible mindsets. More than thrill, the movie is distressing because a little girl’s life is at stake.

The show’s writing is vibrant in its thoughts and nuances and you will be left reeling till the last scene which delivers the killing blow! The title of the film perfectly encompasses the characters and the situation. The different detours that the characters are forced to take feel unnecessary but add a layer of ugliness to an already hopeless situation. The kidnapping becomes irrelevant as the storyline progresses but remains in the back of your mind as you witness the worst of humanity in full display with impressive audacity.

Vikram Vedha (2017)

This Tamil neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by Pushkar–Gayathri and starring R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, the film follows the cat-and-mouse game between honest cop Vikram and gangster Vedha, who tells the former three stories after surrendering himself to change his perception of right and wrong. This multi-faceted and multi-layered story gives several illusions that the movie handles beautifully, presenting a viewing experience that can get a chokehold on the audience.

Apart from the twists in the story, what makes this movie impactful are its excellent dialogues by K. Manikandan which are sharp and witty and leave a lasting impact. Compounded with the writing are the excellent performances by the leads; Madhavan and Sethupathi both bring their A-game to the movie and their chemistry gives the movie a new direction. It’s difficult to look away from them as they constantly try to one-up each other in this twisted tale of deception. The complexities of the story are what will impress viewers and keep them on the edge and thinking for a big chunk of the runtime.

Which of these movies is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!

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