In the vast cinematic expanse of Bollywood, where blockbuster hits often steal the spotlight, there exists a trove of cinematic gems of Bollywood thriller movies that have quietly woven magic on the silver screen. These underrated masterpieces, often overshadowed by their more commercially successful counterparts, deserve a second chance in the limelight. Today, let’s take a nostalgic journey of underrated Bollywood thriller movies that beckon to be rewatched. These movies not only showcase the industry’s diverse storytelling prowess but also captivate audiences with amazing stories and iconic performances.

7 forgotten and underrated Bollywood thriller movies that deserve to be watched again; on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video & more

1. David – Netflix

Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, this Bollywood thriller weaves together three distinct stories set in different periods but connected by the central character named David. The narrative begins in 1975 London, where David (Neil Nitin Mukesh), who works for a dread mafia don, is poised to take over the empire. The second story is set in 1999 Mumbai and follows David (Vinay Virmani), an aspiring guitarist hailing from a middle-class Christian family. The third narrative unfolds in 2010 Goa, where David (Vikram) is a fisherman seeking revenge for an injustice. As their individual tales progress, the film explores themes of love, revenge, and redemption. The nonlinear storytelling, coupled with strong performances and a compelling soundtrack, contributes to the movie’s unique appeal. The intricate narrative structure and artistic approach make it a must-watch.

2. Johnny Gaddaar – Disney+Hotstar

This Hindi thriller is directed by Sriram Raghavan and is known for its gripping narrative, complex characters, and homage to classic film noir elements. The story revolves around five individuals who are involved in a high-stakes heist. Vikram (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a member of the group, plans to betray his accomplices and run away with the loot. As the plan unfolds, the characters find themselves entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and unexpected twists. The dark and morally ambiguous nature of the characters, with each one harboring secrets and ulterior motives adds drama to the plot. The tension rises as the group starts suspecting each other, leading to a series of unexpected and violent events. The narrative keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, gradually revealing the extent of deception and double-crossing. The movie also stars veteran actor Dharmendra, Rimi Sen, Vinay Pathak, Zakir Hussain, Dayanand Shetty, and others in pivotal roles.

3. Ek Hasina Thi – Amazon Prime Video

The story follows Sarika Vartak (Urmila Matondkar), a middle-class woman who falls in love with the charming and wealthy Karan Singh Rathod (Saif Ali Khan). Sarika’s happy life comes crumbling down when she finds out that Karan is involved in criminal activities. In an unfortunate twist of events, she is wrongly accused of being an accomplice in a high-profile case and is sentenced to prison. While in jail, Sarika transforms, both emotionally and physically. Determined to seek revenge, she befriends a fellow inmate and learns the ways of the underworld. With the help of the same inmate, Sarika escapes from prison and goes after Karan to plan his downfall.

4. My Wife’s Murder – YouTube

Ravi Patwardhan (Anil Kapoor), is a middle-class man leading a seemingly ordinary life with his wife Sheela (Suchitra Krishnamoorthi). Their marital bliss takes a tragic turn when Sheela is found dead in a pond, and all evidence points towards it being a murder. Ravi becomes the prime suspect and the narrative focuses on his struggle to prove his innocence. The suspense builds as the audience is taken through the twists and turns of the investigation, questioning the true nature of the characters involved, and the truth behind the murder.

5. Manorama: Six Feet Under – Amazon Prime Video

Starring Abhay Deol, Raima Sen, and Gul Pang in lead roles, the movie is inspired by Roman Polanski’s cult classic and features a gripping narrative set against a small-town backdrop. Satyaveer Randhawa (Abhay Deol), is a struggling writer working as an engineer, living in the small town of Lakhot. He is approached by a minister’s wife Manorama (Sarika) to investigate her husband’s extramarital affair. As Satyaveer delves into the case, he gets tangled in a web of corruption, deceit, and political power struggle that goes far beyond simple marital infidelity. While investigating, he stumbles across a high-profile conspiracy that threatens not only his life but also the very fabric of the society he lives in. The movie skillfully blends elements of noir, suspense, and political drama, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

6. Rahasya – Zee5

This gripping mystery thriller is inspired by the true Arushi Talwar murder case and stars Ashish Vidyarthi, Tisca Chopra, and Kay Kay Menon in lead roles. The story begins with the murder of Ayesha Mahajan, the daughter of well-known and affluent doctors, Sachin Mahajan (Ashish Vidyarthi) and Aarti Mahajan. The police launch an investigation to uncover the truth behind Ayesha’s death. A CBI officer, Sunil Paraskar (Kay Kay Menon), is assigned to the case. As the investigation progresses, the movie reveals the strained relationships within the Mahajan family marred by secrets, lies, and hidden motives. Dr. Sachin Mahajan becomes the prime suspect. The narrative of the film keeps the audience guessing about the true identity of the killer and ends in an unimaginable plot twist.

7. Shaitan (2011) – Netflix

Rajeev Khandelwal, Kalki Koechlin, Gulshan Devaiah, Shiv Pandit, Kirti Kulhari, and Neil Bhooplam star in this captivating psychological thriller. The plot revolves around five young friends – Amy, Dash, KC, Zubin, and Tanya – living in Mumbai. Frustrated with their mundane lives, they decide to break free from societal constraints and embark on a reckless journey of thrill-seeking and rebellion. Their escapades involve drug use, partying, and other risky behaviours. As the group spirals further into a world of hedonism, their lives take a drastic turn when a hit-and-run accident occurs. Matters worsen when Arvind Mathur (Rajeev Khandelwal), a cop, gets involved in the investigation.