Psychological Thrillers
Indian thrillers have come a long way since their rebirth in the early 2000s. While Bollywood has produced a plethora of action-packed movie spectacles, psychological thrillers have stood out for their intense suspense and captivating story lines. Here are 5 must-watch Hindi thrillers:
Andhadhun. This critically acclaimed thriller stars Ayushmann Khurrana as a pianist whose near-death experience changes his life in unexpected ways. Andhadhun is a highly original story, fired up by an ingenious sequence of events that constantly keeps the audience guessing. The subtle humor, light-hearted soundtrack and powerful performances make it an undeniably captivating experience.
Drishyam. Drishyam pairs revered actor Ajay Devgn with a gripping plotline to create an edge-of-the-seat suspense thriller. Devgn wields exceptional control over his character and story while ensuring that the audience is entertained throughout. Furthermore, the movie has resulted in a number of remakes across multiple language industries, which testifies to its success and appeal.
Kaun?. With a simple-yet-thrilling plot, Kaun? is another great example of a psychological thriller. The movie features Bollywood’s first female-only lead cast, and captures the subtle but powerful performances of its lead stars, Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpai. Kaun? Has been a raging success and is often cited as one of the best examples of psychological thrillers in Hindi cinema.
Raaz. Released in the early 2000s, Raaz quickly became one of the most successful Bollywood horror-thrillers. The plot revolves around a woman haunted by paranormal activity, and the finale delivers a powerful shock that keeps viewers hooked till the very end.
Talaash. An ingenious crime thriller with standout performances from Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, Talaash revolves around a detective’s search for a missing person. The movie changes pace and takes unexpected turns, keeping viewers engaged throughout. Talaash is a perfect example of a clever suspense film.
Horror Thrillers
Though not as commonly produced as psychological thrillers, Hindi-language horror movies keep viewers glued to their seats. Here are 5 must-watch horror-thriller movies.
Ragini MMS. This movie captures the classic mixture of horror and suspense with the help of an interesting, Hitchcockian plot. It relies on the traditional horror template but has a unique twist that makes it stand out.
13B. Satire, comedy and horror are all expertly blended together in this surreal thriller, directed by filmmaker Vikram K Kumar and starring R Madhavan in the lead role. The movie explores the hidden secrets in a house, which is surprisingly inhabited by 13th floor supernatural entities.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa. With the smash hit combination of Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa brings in a dose of genuine horror comedy. The central character is a cursed house and the story revolves around the various events that unfold when its tenants dare to step inside.
Alone. Directed by Bhushan Patel, this movie takes horror to an immersive level with an exceptionally great effort in the sound and 3D effects. The film stars Bipasha Basu and the eerie plot that focuses on her character’s cursed twin fuels the chill factor.
Darna Mana Hai. Directed by Sohail Khan, this movie is a series of six short horror stories. Khan pulls off a thrilling combination of supernatural forces and horror elements, which results in a gripping experience.
Mystery Thrillers
Mysteries make for exciting thrillers, spiraling on clever storytelling and suspenseful performances. Here are 5 must-watch mystery thrillers in Hindi.
Lage Raho Munnabhai. In addition to being a funny and light-hearted movie, Lage Raho Munnabhai also serves as a detective film. It follows the story of a gangster who utilises his street smarts to solve mysteries and aid people while eluding the police.
Kahin Hai Mera Pyar. Directed by Manoj Amarnani, this movie follows the story of a woman who is on a quest to unravel her identity. She must explore deep dark secrets and false suspects, while struggling to stay safe.
Kahaani. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, this movie captures the perfect mixture of suspense, drama and mystery. It stars actress Vidya Balan in the lead role and narrates an amazing journey as a woman desperately searches for her missing husband.
A Wednesday. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, A Wednesday serves as both a thriller and a message on the power of unity. Starring Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher in lead roles, the film follows a police commissioner as he attempts to save a city from terror.
Talvar. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Talvar is loosely based on the infamous Aarushi Talwar murder case and relies heavily on a suspenseful narrative. Irrfan Khan is featured in the lead role and the movie follows a gripping journey as investigators unravel the mystery behind the murder.
Romantic Thrillers
Romantic thrillers are a unique genre which combines love, mystery and suspense into the same plot. Here are 5 must-watch romantic thrillers:
Aksar. This movie stars Emraan Hashmi, Udita Goswami and Dino Morea, and relies heavily on a clever plot line involving a businessman, a young woman and her aunt. Surrounded by complex emotional and psychological turmoil, the movie takes viewers on a thrilling journey of intense twists and turns.
Sins. Directed by Vinod Pande, Sins takes on the classical ‘forbidden romance’ plotline and presents it with a twist. Shining star Shiney Ahuja plays a Catholic priest who must confront various moral quandaries and secret addictions.
Murder. Starring Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat, Murder relies heavily on the investigation of a mysterious murder. The plot is packed with twists and turns and an intense web of thrill and suspense.
1920. Directed by Vikram Bhatt, 1920 stars master of horror films Rajneesh Duggal and model-turned-actress Adah Sharma. The movie explores a love story between two characters who are surrounded by the consequences of a deadly curse.
Jism 2. Directed by Pooja Bhatt, this movie captures the very definition of a classic and steamy romantic thriller. Starring Sunny Leone in her debut Hindi film and Arunoday Singh and Randeep Hooda in supporting roles, the movie is a traditional love story with a thrilling twist.
Sci-fi Thrillers
Sci-fi thriller films usually revolve around a suspenseful mystery or an intense adventure. Here are 5 must-watch sci-fi thrillers in Hindi.
Koi Mil Gaya. Starring a stellar cast led by Hrithik Roshan, this movie is one of the most successful sci-fi films in India. It follows the story of a mentally challenged man and a friendly alien who together attempt to save the world.
Ra.One. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Ra.One is an exciting and powerful sci-fi adventure film. The movie stars Shahrukh Khan in the lead role and the story follows a man’s journey to save his son from a powerful, digital-aged super villain.
Ek Tha Tiger. Directed by Kabir Khan, this racy action-thriller follows the mission of a spy, who must turn against his own to save the nation. The movie takes viewers on a thrilling journey spanning multiple countries and cultures.
Kites. This movie stars Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori and follows their daring quest to wipe out the most dangerous criminal organization in the world. Kites is packed with sequences of thrilling action and well-crafted film music.
Raaz Reboot. Directed by Vikram Bhatt, this movie is a reboot of the 2002 classic Raaz. With Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, this movie also stars Kriti Kharbanda and Gaurav Arora in supporting roles. The movie follows the spine-chilling investigation of a supernatural phenomenon.
Comic Thrillers
Comic thrillers rely on the perfect mixture of humour and suspense to keep viewers engaged. Here are 5 must-watch comic thrillers in Hindi.
Golmaal. This audience-favourite franchise stars Ajay Devgn in the lead role and offers rib-tickling laughter amidst a thrilling plot line. The unique combination of comedy, adventure and suspense will keep viewers entertained throughout the movie.
Golmaal Returns. Directed by Rohit Shetty, this movie stars an ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor and Arshad Warsi. Drawing huge laughs and endearing moments, Golmaal Returns also offers a thrilling ride of an action-packed story.
7 Khoon Maaf. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Priyanka Chopra in the lead role, 7 Khoon Maaf revolves around a woman on a quest to find true love. Despite its dark humour, the movie is surprisingly light-hearted and entertaining.
No Problem. This movie is a vivid and entertaining comedy caper, with an outstanding ensemble cast. It follows the story of various people rendered victims by a criminal mastermind and the hilarious cat-and-mouse chase that ensues.
Hera Pheri. Another audience favourite, Hera Pheri stars Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal, and presents a stunningly hilarious combination of comedy and thrill. The movie follows the events of three people struggling through a series of chaotic situations.
