You know that feeling when you finish watching a movie and immediately Google “Is this really based on a true story?” Well, get ready for that sensation ten times over. Indian filmmakers have been digging deep into real-life events, and honestly, these crime thrillers based on true stories are better than most fiction.
I’ve been obsessed with these films lately because they don’t just entertain – they make you think about how wild real life can get. If you’re looking for the best true crime movies that’ll keep you up at night, here are the ones that had me researching the actual events for hours.
1. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)
Where to watch: SonyLIV
IMDB: 9.2/10
Directors: Hansal Mehta & Jai Mehta
Let’s start with the obvious winner among movies based on true crime stories. If you haven’t watched this yet, what are you even doing? Pratik Gandhi basically disappeared into Harshad Mehta’s character – the guy literally gained 18 kilos and spent a year preparing. That’s commitment.
The series takes you through Bombay’s stock market madness in the 80s and 90s. Harshad Mehta was basically the king of the BSE until journalist Sucheta Dalal (played brilliantly by Shreya Dhanwanthary) exposed his massive fraud. The crazy part? You would love a criminal by the end of the web series
Cast highlights: Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Satish Kaushik, Rajat Kapoor
2. A Thursday (2022)
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDB: 7.6/10
Director: Behzad Khambata
Yami Gautam scared the hell out of me in the first half of the movie. She plays a kindergarten teacher who takes kids hostage, and trust me, it’s not what you think. The movie slowly peels back layers to show you why she’s doing this, and by the end, you’re questioning everything about our justice system.
The film got nominated for Best Web Original Film at Filmfare OTT Awards, and honestly, Yami deserved more recognition for this performance. It’s completely different from anything she’s done before – a perfect example of how real life crime thriller movies can showcase incredible acting.
Cast: Yami Gautam, Atul Kulkarni, Neha Dhupia, Dimple Kapadia
3. Raat Akeli Hai (2020)
Where to watch: Netflix
IMDB: 7.2/10
Director: Honey Trehan
This is pure noir done right and definitely belongs in any true crime drama films list. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a small-town cop investigating a politician’s murder on his wedding night. Every single person in the family seems guilty, and the atmosphere is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
What I love about this movie is how it doesn’t rush to give you answers. It lets the mystery breathe, and Nawazuddin’s performance as the awkward but determined cop is just perfect. NDTV gave it four stars, calling it genre-defining.
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Shweta Tripathi, Tigmanshu Dhulia
4. The Big Bull (2021)
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDB: 5.6/10
Director: Kookie Gulati
Look, this one got mixed reviews, and I get why. Coming after Scam 1992 was tough for any Harshad Mehta story. But hear me out – Abhishek Bachchan actually does a decent job as Hemant Shah (their version of Harshad) in this based on true events thriller movie.
The movie takes a more commercial approach to the same events, and sometimes that works. The background music is pretty good, and if you can watch it without comparing it to the web series, it’s not terrible.
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Ileana D’Cruz, Nikita Dutta, Sohum Shah
5. Sherni (2021)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
IMDB: 7.2/10
Director: Amit Masurkar
Okay, so this isn’t your typical thriller, but the environmental crimes and bureaucratic corruption it exposes are real and infuriating. Vidya Balan plays a forest officer trying to do her job while everyone around her has other agendas.
The movie is based on actual man-animal conflicts in rural India, and it shows how politics mess with conservation efforts. It’s slower than other real crime thriller movies to watch, but the message hits hard.
Cast: Vidya Balan, Vijay Raaz, Ila Arun, Neeraj Kabi
6. Collar Bomb (2021)
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDB: 7.0/10
Director: Dnyanesh Zoting
This one’s intense from start to finish and showcases exactly why true crime inspired thriller films work so well. A cop has to follow a bomber’s demands to save a student’s life. Jimmy Shergill carries the whole movie on his shoulders, and the moral questions it raises will stick with you.
The real-time format works really well here – you feel the pressure building with every minute that passes.
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Asha Negi, Rajshri Deshpande
7. Nail Polish (2021)
Where to watch: ZEE5
IMDB: 6.2/10
Director: Bugs Bhargava Krishna
A courtroom thriller that messes with your head. Arjun Rampal plays a lawyer defending someone accused of murder, but nothing is what it seems. The movie plays with concepts of memory and truth in ways that make you doubt everything.
It’s not perfect, but the psychological elements keep you guessing until the end. Definitely worth adding to your true crime drama films watchlist.
Cast: Arjun Rampal, Manav Kaul, Anand Tiwari
8. Serious Men (2020)
Where to watch: Netflix
IMDB: 6.9/10
Director: Sudhir Mishra
Based on Manu Joseph’s novel, this is more social commentary than thriller, but the “crime” of faking your kid’s genius is explored brilliantly. Nawazuddin Siddiqui shows a father’s desperation to escape poverty through his son’s manufactured success.
It’s darkly funny and sad at the same time – classic Nawazuddin territory.
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Indira Tiwari, Shweta Basu Prasad
9. The Power (2021)
Where to watch: ZEE5
IMDB: 6.1/10
Director: Mahesh Manjrekar
Mumbai underworld politics meets family drama. Vidyut Jammwal brings his action skills to this story about power struggles within criminal families. It’s inspired by real underworld dynamics, though they take creative liberties.
If you like action mixed with your crime stories, this one delivers on the thrills.
Cast: Vidyut Jammwal, Shruti Haasan, Mahesh Manjrekar
10. Ajeeb Daastaans (2021)
Where to watch: Netflix
IMDB: 6.1/10
Directors: Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, Neeraj Ghaywan, Kayoze Irani
Four different stories, each dealing with moral crimes in their own way. Not all are thrillers in the traditional sense, but they explore how people justify their actions when pushed to the edge.
Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shefali Shah, Manav Kaul
Why These Movies Hit Different
What makes these best true crime movies special isn’t just that they’re based on actual events – it’s how they make you feel like you’re discovering secrets about how the world really works.
The research shows: Directors like Hansal Mehta spent months researching the actual events, talking to people who were there, recreating locations exactly as they were.
The performances matter: When actors like Pratik Gandhi or Yami Gautam completely transform for these roles, you forget you’re watching a performance.
The timing is perfect: These movies based on true crime stories feel relevant because similar issues are still happening around us.