There is a treasure mine of Bollywood thriller films that have subtly worked their spell on screen within the huge cinematic canon of Bollywood, where big-budget hits frequently take center stage. These overlooked gems need another opportunity to shine in the spotlight because they are frequently eclipsed by their more financially successful competitors. Let’s go on a nostalgic journey through some underappreciated Bollywood thriller films that are just screaming to be seen again. These films enthrall audiences with incredible tales and memorable performances in addition to showcasing the industry’s versatility as a storyteller.
These 7 Overlooked Bollywood Thriller Films are mentioned below-:
1. DAVID – NETFLIX
This Bollywood thriller, which was directed by Bejoy Nambiar, intertwines three separate stories that are set in various eras but are linked by the protagonist David. The story opens in 1975 London, with David (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a fearsome mafia don’s employee, ready to seize control of the empire. The second tale is on David (Vinay Virmani), a budding guitarist from a Christian middle-class family, and is set in Mumbai in 1999. In the third story, David (Vikram), a fisherman, seeks retribution for an injustice in 2010 in Goa. The movie looks at themes of love, retribution, and redemption as each of their personal stories develops. The movie’s distinct appeal is heightened by its nonlinear plot, excellent acting, and catchy soundtrack. It’s a must-watch because of the creative approach and complex story structure.
2. JOHNNY GADDAAR – DISNEY+HOTSTAR
Sriram Raghavan is the director of this thriller in Hindi, which is renowned for its compelling story, nuanced characters, and nod to vintage film noir tropes. The plot centers on five people who are taking part in a high-stakes heist. One of the group members, Vikram (Neil Nitin Mukesh), intends to turn on his allies and abscond with the spoils.
The protagonists become embroiled in a web of deceit, treachery, and surprising turns as the plan comes to pass. Drama is added to the plot by the characters’ dark and morally gray nature, as well as the fact that they are all hiding secrets and having ulterior intentions. As the group begins to distrust one another, tensions grow and a string of violent and unexpected incidents occur. As the story unfolds, the audience is kept on the edge of their seat as the depth of deceit and double-crossing is gradually revealed. Veteran actor Dharmendra, Rimi Sen, Vinay Pathak, Zakir Hussain, Dayanand Shetty, and other actors play important roles in the film as well.
3. EK HASINA THI – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
The narrative centers on middle-class Sarika Vartak (Urmila Matondkar), who develops feelings for the handsome and prosperous Karan Singh Rathod (Saif Ali Khan). Sarika’s contented existence comes crashing down when she discovers Karan is a crook. She receives a prison sentence after an unfortunate turn of circumstances in which she is falsely accused of being an accomplice in a well-known case.
Sarika changes both physically and emotionally in incarcerated. She learns the ways of the underworld and becomes friends with another prisoner, all in her quest for vengeance. Sarika breaks out of prison with the assistance of the same prisoner, and she sets out to bring Karan to his knees.
4. MY WIFE’S MURDER – YOUTUBE
Middle-class man Ravi Patwardhan (Anil Kapoor) and his wife Sheela (Suchitra Krishnamoorthi) appear to be having regular lives. The happy couple’s life takes a terrible turn when Sheela is discovered dead in a pond, with all the signs pointing to a murder. As Ravi emerges as the main suspect, the story centers on his quest to establish his innocence. As the audience follows the investigation’s twists and turns and wonders about the real motivations for the murder as well as the character motivations, the tension grows.
5. MANORAMA: SIX FEET UNDER – AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
The film, which stars Abhay Deol, Raima Sen, and Gul Pang in the key parts, is based on the beloved Roman Polanski film and has an engrossing story set in a tiny hamlet. Satyaveer Randhawa (Abhay Deol), an engineer by trade who struggles with writing, resides in the tiny village of Lakhot. Manorama (Sarika), the wife of a minister, approaches him to look into her husband’s adulterous affair. Satyaveer becomes entangled in a labyrinth of deceit, corruption, and political power struggles as he investigates the case—a conflict that goes much beyond basic marital adultery. He discovers a well-known conspiracy while doing his investigation, one that puts not just his life but also the foundation of the community he lives in at risk. The film deftly combines political drama, suspense, and noir themes to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
6. RAHASYA – ZEE5
The main actors in this suspenseful mystery thriller are Ashish Vidyarthi, Tisca Chopra, and Kay Kay Menon. It is based on the real-life Arushi Talwar murder case. Ayesha Mahajan, the daughter of wealthy and well-known doctors Sachin Mahajan (Ashish Vidyarthi) and Aarti Mahajan, is murdered at the start of the story. In order to ascertain the real cause of Ayesha’s passing, the police open an investigation. The case is given to Sunil Paraskar (Kay Kay Menon), a CBI agent. The film portrays the strained relationships, tainted by deceit, secrets, and ulterior agendas, inside the Mahajan family as the probe goes on. Dr. Sachin Mahajan emerges as the main contender. The film’s story leaves viewers wondering who the real murderer is, and it concludes with an unbelievable plot twist.
7. SHAITAN (2011) – NETFLIX
This gripping psychological thriller stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Neil Bhooplam, Kirti Kulhari, Gulshan Devaiah, Shiv Pandit, and Kalki Koechlin. Five teenage friends who live in Mumbai—Amy, Dash, KC, Zubin, and Tanya—are at the center of the story. Feeling dissatisfied with their ordinary lives, they resolve to defy society expectations and set out on an adventurous and rebellious voyage. They engage in dangerous behaviors such as drug usage and partying. The group’s lives drastically change after a hit-and-run incident as they continue to descend deeper into a life of hedonism. When police officer Arvind Mathur (Rajeev Khandelwal) becomes engaged in the inquiry, things get worse.
These seven underrated Bollywood thrillers offer a captivating blend of intrigue and suspense, providing viewers with an immersive cinematic experience that deserves a revisit on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and beyond.
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