Top 10 Best Mystery Movies In Hindi

Bollywood has always been the biggest movie industry in India, both in size and power. Its glam and glitz have captured the audience for years and have grown beyond just movies, becoming a cultural touchstone representing India globally. Bollywood boasts a rich history dating back to the silent era of ‘Raja Harishchandra’.  Over the years, it’s grown into the world’s largest film producer by volume, churning out hundreds of movies annually. While known for its larger-than-life song-and-dance routines, Bollywood offers a diverse range of genres. From heart-wrenching romances and laugh-out-loud comedies to action-packed adventures and thought-provoking dramas, there’s something for everyone. Over the years, the genre evolved, incorporating elements of psychological thrillers, suspense dramas, and classic whodunits. This time, our team at Top 10s Only has delved into the ocean of thrillers from Bollywood and picked out the Top 10 Best Mystery Movies In Hindi for you to binge on.

The Best Hindi Mystery Movies: A Must-Watch List

Are you a fan of movies in which every twist and turn leaves you guessing, and the final reveal explodes your expectations? If you crave heart-pounding suspense and mind-bending mystery, then we have curated for you the ultimate one-stop guide to exploring the world of Hindi mystery movies. We’ll dive deep into a range of thrilling narratives, from classic whodunnits to suspenseful psychological thrillers. This list of the highest rated mystery movies will take you through an adrenaline rush as these movies are layered with dark secrets and chilling plots. Get ready to embark on a journey to discover some hidden Bollywood gems from the genre. Brace yourselves, as we’re about to unveil the best Hindi mystery movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

1. Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)

Gupt: The Hidden Truth is a psychological thriller directed by Rajiv Rai, with Bobby Deol, Kajol and Manisha Koirala in the lead roles. Dubbed one of the best thriller movies in Hindi cinema, Gupt is adapted from the novel Good Children Don’t Kill and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The movie follows Sahil (Bobby Deol), who is thrown into a whirlwind when he is falsely accused of his stepfather’s murder and convicted. With his girlfriend, Isha (Kajol), and childhood friend, Sheetal (Manisha Koirala), by his side, Sahil makes efforts to break out of prison and prove his innocence. Meanwhile, things take a deadly turn when more murders happen, and suspicions fall upon him. The rest of the plot builds up suspense, leading to a thrilling climax where the trio manages to prove Saahil’s innocence and find the real culprit.

Even after a quarter century, Gupt is celebrated as a cult classic movie. Kajol received acclaim for her remarkable portrayal, especially in the crucial suspense-filled climax sequence. Gupt can undoubtedly be called one of the best mystery movies produced in Hindi.

2. Samay: When Time Strikes (2003)

Samay: When Time Strikes is an award-winning Hindi thriller movie with Sushmita Sen and Jackie Shroff in the lead. Directed by debutant Robby Grewal, the movie is a highly engrossing psychological thriller. Sushmita Sen portrays the role of ACP Malvika Chauhan, who is entrusted with the investigation of the seemingly unrelated murders of three prominent figures in their fields, respectively. However, with her keen investigative skills,  Malvika finds several hidden connections between the victims and closes in on the killer. But in a shocking twist, the cunning murderer outsmarts her and attacks his next victim before Malvika can intervene. The movie is a tightly scripted thriller where time plays an important role. The narrative also explores Malvika’s relationships with her daughter and subordinate Satya (played by Sushant Singh). Despite the lukewarm response at the box office, Samay is still considered to be one of the most underrated thrillers by fans of the genre.

3. Manorama: Six Feet Under (2007)

Directed and written by Navdeep Singh, Manorama: Six Feet Under is a dark thriller movie based on the American mystery movie Chinatown. The movie narrates the story of Satyaveer Singh (played by Abhay Deol),  a public works engineer who leads a simple life with his family in a small, drought-stricken town in Rajasthan. The film cleverly mirrors the arid landscape of the town with Satyaveer’s unfulfilled life. He is also an aspiring writer but faces unluck there as well with his unsuccessful debut novel, ‘Manorama’. However, a twist of fate arrives when the irrigation minister’s wife, Manorama (Sarika), inspired by his novel, requests him to collect evidence against her husband’s infidelity. Lured by money, Satyaveer takes the case, only to find himself entangled in a web of deceit with far more dark secrets lurking beneath the surface. The movie is slow-paced but full of suspenseful twists and turns that will keep the audience hooked to the screen till the end.  The ensemble cast, including Abhay Deol, Raima Sen, Gul Panag, Sarika, etc., delivered exceptional performances.

4. Kahaani (2012)

Kahaani is one of the best mystery thriller movies in Hindi, crafted by Sujoy Ghosh, with Vidya Balan taking centre stage. She appears as Vidya Bagchi, who arrives in Kolkata from London during the Durga Pooja festivities in search of her missing husband.  Aided by Inspector Satyoki ‘Rana’ Sinha, Vidya learns a shocking truth: her husband, Arnab Bagchi, has a hidden identity and is entangled in a dangerous situation. The film is a captivating investigation, peeling back layers of secrets and culminating in a suspenseful climax. Shot with a minimal crew using guerilla filmmaking techniques to blend into the bustling crowds of Durga Puja celebrations, “Kahaani” delivers an authentic portrayal of the festival. Kahaani won several awards, including the National Film Awards for Best Screenplay. It was also yet another women-centric masterpiece with Vidya Balan in the lead, shattering stereotypes and cinematic cliches. 

5. Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)

Written and directed by Reema Kagti, Talaash: The Answer Lies Within is a film in the crime thriller genre and received highly positive reviews from critics. Amir Khan plays the lead role in the movie as Inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat, alongside an ensemble cast including Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rajkumar Rao. Surjan and his wife are having a strained relationship after they lost their son to a tragic mishap. While Surjan is grappling with guilt and consequent insomnia, he is assigned the investigation of a well-known actor’s murder in a car crash. The case thickened when a large sum of money went missing from the crime scene. As two more murders occur, the investigation intensifies, revealing a shocking and unsettling climax that leaves the audience speechless. The soundtrack composed by Ram Sampath, which perfectly complements the suspense of the plot, received many accolades. In a nutshell, Talaash is a slow but tightly woven mystery thriller with strong performances by the entire cast.

6. Rahasya (2015)

Rahasya, directed by Manish Gupta, is loosely based on the real-life incident of the Noida double murder case. The movie features Kay Kay Menon, Tisca Chopra and Ashish Vidyarthi in the lead roles. The story centers on the murder of teenager Ayesha Mahajan, daughter of Dr. Sachin (Ashish Vidyarthi) and Dr. Arti (Tisca Chopra). The initial investigations by CBI officer Sunil Paraskar (Kay Kay Menon) laid suspicion on Ayesha’s father, Dr. Sachin, who disapproved of her relationship with her boyfriend, Riyaz. While Sachin struggles to prove his innocence, all evidence points otherwise. However, Inspector Paraskar reveals a web of dark secrets and hidden motives that challenge the initial assumptions. As the plot twists and turns, the true evil behind each character comes to light. Rahasya also talks about the corruption of rich and influential people and the stark class differences in society. The script is so masterfully crafted that it leaves the audience guessing until the very end. Kay Kay Menon’s acting and convincing dialogue delivery received particular praise from critics and viewers alike.

7. Talvar (2015)

Talvar is yet another movie inspired by the Arushi Talvar murder case in Noida and tries to present a multifaceted perspective on the tragedy. Director Meghna Gulzar skillfully uses the Rashomon effect, showcasing the events through the eyes of local police, two separate CBI teams and the victim’s parents. The plot unfolds when 14-year-old Shruthi Tandon is found dead in her room by her parents, Ramesh and Nutan. The case further complicates itself when their servant, who allegedly had a relationship with Shruthi, is also found dead in the same building. This brings Shruthi’s parents under the radar of suspicion of honour killing. While CDI officer Ashwin (Irrfan Khan) believes that the parents are innocent and builds a case against Ramesh’s assistant, another investigative team led by ACP Vedant (Sohum Shah) is eager to close the case, pinning the blame on the couple.

Talvar takes a realistic approach to storytelling, due to which some critics found the documentary style less engaging.  However, the film garnered international acclaim under the title ‘Guilty’ at various film festivals, solidifying its place among the top 10 mystery movies in Hindi.

8. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)

Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is a mystery thriller movie directed by Dibakar Banerjee based on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi, the Indian counterpart of Sherlock Holmes. Sushant Singh Rajput appears in the title role alongside Anand Tiwari and Neeraj Kabi in other prominent roles. The movie is a period drama set in the 1940’s in Calcutta against the backdrop od World War II. Byomkesh Bakshi, who is grappling with a recent heartbreak is approached by Ajit Kumar Banerjee to investigate the missing case of his father Bhuvan. Despite initial resentment, Byomkesh sets out to find the truth but instead gets entangled in a dark, dangerous world of crime and international politics. However, he uses his wits against the deadly criminals and uncovers the mystery to form a thrilling climax. Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is a slow-burn thriller that grips the audience stronger with each passing scene. The movie was dubbed one of Sushant Singh Rajput’s finest performances, but the sequel was stalled after his tragic death. 

9. Badla (2019)

Our next addition to the list of the best mystery movies in Hindi cinema is Badla, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, with Amitabh Bacchan and Tapsee Pannu playing the central characters. The movie is the official remake of the Spanish mystery flick ‘The Invisible Guest’. The narrative takes place during a high stakes interview between Naina Sethi (Tapsee Pannu), who is framed for the murder of her secret lover Arjun and her shrewd defense attorney Badal Gupta (Amitabh Bacchan). As Badal tries to figure out what actually happened in order to defend his client, the plot then jumps back and forth in time through Naina’s revelations. Each plot twist uncovers a new mystery, leading the audience to expect the unexpected in the next scene. The climax takes the viewers to the peak of suspense, with shattering illusions and revealing the characters’ true motives. For fans of nail-biting mystery, Badla is a must-watch.

10. Murder Mubarak (2024)

Capping off our list is the recent OTT release, Murder Mubarak. The movie is based on the novel ‘ClubTou To Death’ and features Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan and Vijay Varma in the main roles. The narrative revolves around the Royal Delhi Club of the city’s most elite upper class citizens. When the gym trainer is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the club members consumed by vanity and self-interest, try to sweep it under the rug. However, ACP Bhavani Singh (Pankaj Tripathi), a shrewd police officer suspects foulplay and decides to explore the truth. He is aided by Bambi Todi (Sara Ali Khan), a club member who was recently widowed and her childhood lover Aakash (Vijay Varma). As the trio navigate a web of lies and deceit, the shocking climax reveals the true nature of upper class elites and their disregard for human life. Murder Mubarak transcends a typical thriller, transforming into a social commentary on the stark divide between the haves and have-nots. This thought-provoking whodunit with a dose of social awareness makes it a compelling addition to our top ten mystery thrillers.

Beyond the Masala: Unveiling The Best Hindi Mystery Movies 

From crime thrillers that dive deep into your mind to suspense dramas that leave you speechless, Hindi cinema boasts a treasure trove of mystery movies. This list merely scratches the surface of the captivating narratives and ingenious plots waiting to be discovered. The massive movie industry has produced many more brilliant whodunits that might feature in our next installment of the list. Till then, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and embark on a thrilling journey with the top 10 best mystery thrillers that keep you guessing till the end. We hope you have already picked your favourite mystery thriller from the list.