As the release date of Dhanush‘s highly anticipated movie, Raayan, approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an intense thriller. Dhanush, who stars in and directs the film, has stirred considerable excitement with this project. Slated to hit theaters on July 26, 2024, the film promises a gripping story around vengeance, crime, and identity.
Speculatively, Raayan follows a young man who, after the tragic loss of his family, goes on a quest for vengeance. A quest that involuntarily pushes him deep into the dangerous criminal underworld. Amidst the plot twists and suspense, Dhanush’s character might be revealed as a police informer or a gangster masquerading as a restaurant owner.
In the spirit of Raayan’s upcoming release, here’s a list of Indian thriller movies with similar themes of revenge, crime, and suspense.
Maharaja
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan, Maharaja is Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th film. The story revolves around a simple barber, Maharaja, whose life centers around his daughter, Jothi, and his job. Their world takes a turn when their beloved dustbin, ‘Lakshmi,’ is stolen, prompting Maharaja to take drastic steps to recover it.
Despite its seemingly mundane premise, the film takes a dark turn as Maharaja’s relentless search for Lakshmi reveals hidden secrets and a complex past. Furthermore, the stellar cast includes director Anurag Kashyap and actor Mamta Mohandas. All in all, Netflix’s Maharaja is a must-watch thriller for those awaiting Raayan’s release.
Rathnam
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Hari, Rathnam features Vishal in a gangster role. The film begins with a bus attack in 1994, leading to the deaths of 26 people. Fast forward a decade, and Rathnam, an orphan turned enforcer, works for MLA Panneerselvan. Rathnam and his men are seen as goons, but they only fight for justice. Rathnam’s complex moral code drives the storyline, emphasizing his and his gang’s principled approach to violence.
This film explores the grey areas of morality, where the protagonist’s actions, though violent, are driven by a sense of justice. The cast also includes Priya Bhavani Shankar and Yogi Babu.
Garudan
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Written by Vetrimaaran and directed by RS Durai Senthilkumar, Garudan features Soori, Sasikumar, Samuthirakani, and Unni Mukundan. The story follows Sokkan, an orphan adopted by a wealthy family in Theni. His loyalty to his friend and master, Karuna, is tested when a political conspiracy threatens their peace.
Karuna, a member of a once-royal family, and Sokkan share a bond that transcends typical servant-master relationships. When a politician targets their family’s land, Sokkan’s unwavering loyalty and the ensuing betrayal create a suspenseful and emotionally charged plot.
Joji
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Joji, directed by Dileesh Pothan and featuring Fahadh Faasil, is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The film plays out the downfall of the Kuttappan family after a tragic incident. Joji (played by Fahadh Faasil), the youngest son, harbors grand ambitions but is seen as a failure by his domineering father.
As family tensions rise, Joji hatches a plan to secure his inheritance. However, his actions spiral into a series of tragic events, revealing the dark underbelly of familial greed and ambition. The film’s dark themes and intense performances make it a standout thriller, like the upcoming Raayan movie.
Kurup
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Kurup, featuring Dulquer Salmaan, is a gripping retelling of one of India’s most infamous criminal cases. The film chronicles the life of Sukumara Kurup, a fugitive who faked his own death for insurance money by killing a lookalike.
Spanning over three decades, Kurup combines realistic storytelling with the iconic South cinema flair to explore the psyche of a notorious criminal. The film’s recreation of the period and its suspenseful storyline make it a compelling watch, like Dhanush’s upcoming movie Raayan.
As the excitement for Dhanush’s upcoming movie Raayan builds, these movies provide a perfect appetizer for those seeking thrilling, intricate, and suspense-filled gripping storylines.
