10 Best Crime Thrillers Series on Indian OTT Platforms You Must Watch in 2025

Crime thriller series are what Indian fans are looking for, filled with mystery, suspense, and thrills. Thanks to the rise of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Jio Hotstar, and Sony Liv, viewers now have access to a variety of crime thriller web series that are at par with or even better than foreign OTT series. 

The Indian over-the-top (OTT) market is reinventing the thriller genre, from psychological dramas like Asur and Paatal Lok to groundbreaking mafia series like Sacred Games and Mirzapur. Therefore, many viewers will be curious to know the Crime Thrillers Series on Indian OTT Platforms. 

So, this post will highlight the top 10 crime thrillers on Indian OTT platforms in 2025. These are dramas, crime series, and suspense-filled series that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Why Crime Thrillers Are So Popular on OTT in India?

Crime thriller series are more than just entertainment for viewers. They explore human psychology, represent society, and often expose the darker aspects of politics and power. Unlike traditional TV shows, OTT platforms allow creators the freedom to experiment with bold themes, complex storylines, and nuanced characters without worrying about censorship.

Indian crime thrillers have become a popular genre worldwide due to their combination of realistic themes, bold acting, and cinematic storytelling. These series tell compelling stories that have captivated audiences worldwide, whether it’s Manoj Bajpayee‘s funny yet sympathetic character in The Family Man or Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s iconic Ganesh Gaitonde in Sacred Games.

Top 10 Crime Thrillers Series on Indian OTT Platforms

1. Sacred Games

Many believe that Sacred Games was the show that sparked the rise of OTT in India. Based on Vikram Chandra’s novel, the show follows Inspector Sartaj Singh, a Mumbai police officer who receives a tip-off from gangster Ganesh Gaitonde. The police investigation soon unfolds into a complex tale of politics, religion, crime, and survival. The series features powerful performances by Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Saif Ali Khan.

• Release Date: 6 July 2018
• Program creator: Vikramaditya Motwane
• Cast: Saif Ali Khan; Nawazuddin Siddiqui; Radhika Apte; Pankaj Tripathi; Kalki Koechlin; Ranvir Shorey
• Where to Watch: Netflix

2. Mirzapur

“Mirzapur” is a suspenseful crime drama series set in the lawless city of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. The series centers on two brothers, Guddu and Bablu, who become embroiled in the ruthless world of Kaleen Bhaiya, a formidable criminal mastermind played by Pankaj Tripathi. 

The series depicts the brutal and raw side of power struggles in small towns, involving firearms, politics, and betrayal at every turn. The series is renowned for its dramatic action sequences and morally questionable characters. It has a strong cultural impact, superb acting, and memorable speeches. The series centers on tales of revenge, the rise of villains, and the dark world of crime.

• Release Date: 16 November 2018
• Program creator: Gurmeet Singh; Karan Anshuman; Mihir Desai; Anand Iyer
• No. of seasons: 3
• Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

3. The Family Man

The Family Man series is a blend of espionage and family drama like no other Indian show. It tells the story of a middle-class detective, Shrikant Tiwari, who works secretly as an intelligence officer for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), while juggling the responsibilities of both husband and father. With a terrorist threat on one hand and domestic troubles on the other, the series delivers a heartwarming and thrilling suspense. 

The series’ superb writing balances humor, action, and emotions. Manoj Bajpayee’s brilliant portrayal of Shrikant Tiwari makes the series even more iconic. This series is for viewers who enjoy a blend of espionage thrillers, relatable family drama, and sharp storytelling.

• Release Date: 20 September 2019
• Program creator: Azim Moolan, Nigam Bomzan, Cameron Eric Bryson, Jay Charola
• No. of seasons: 3
• Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Shahab Ali, Sunny Hinduja, and Shreya Dhanwanthary
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

4. Dahaad

The Daadar series is one of India’s first serial killer dramas to feature a female police officer in the lead role. Sonakshi Sinha delivers a powerful and layered performance. Based on Sub-Inspector Anjali Bhati, a young woman from a small town in Rajasthan, the series’ story follows her as she investigates the mysterious deaths of young women in the town. 

What appear to be isolated suicides soon point to a sinister pattern and a ruthless serial killer. The series has been praised for its slow-paced narrative, realism, and sensitive handling of gender issues. It is primarily aimed at fans of investigative thrillers and those who enjoy socially conscious crime dramas.

• Release Date: 12 May 2023
• Program creator: Reema Kagti, Ruchika Oberoi
• No. of seasons: 1
• Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma, Sohum Shah
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

5. Paatal Lok

Paatal Lok is a gripping Indian thriller series that delves into the social and political undercurrents of the country. The story revolves around Hathiram Chaudhary, a Delhi police officer who is involved in a high-profile attempted murder case involving four suspects. As he investigates further, dark secrets of the police system, media, politics, and society begin to emerge. This series is perfect for viewers who enjoy hard-hitting, thought-provoking crime dramas with a strong dose of realism.

• Release Date: 15 May 2020
• Program creator: Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy
• No. of seasons: 2
• Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Neeraj Kabi, Gul Panag, Swastika Mukherjee, Niharika Lyra Dutt
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

6. Asur

Asur is right for you if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, mythology-inspired tales, and dark crime mystery series. It’s a psychological crime thriller blends mythology, science, and forensic investigation. The series follows forensic expert Nikhil Nair and his mentor-turned-enemy Dhananjay Rajput, who face a serial killer who believes himself to be the reincarnation of a mythological demon. 

Its unique blend of crime-solving and spiritual philosophy, the show inspires viewers to question the fine line between good and evil. The series features powerful performances by Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti. The series is a profound, intense, and intellectually engaging story that will appeal to thriller lovers.

• Release Date: 2 March 2020
• Program creator: Gaurav Shukla and Vibhav Shikdar
• No. of seasons: 2
• Cast: Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Vishesh Bansal, Gaurav Arora, Anupriya Goenka, Riddhi Dogra, Amey Wagh, Sharib Hashmi, Meiyang Chang, and Abhishek Chauhan
• Where to Watch: JioHotStar

7. Delhi Crime

Delhi Crimes is for viewers who enjoy sharp, realistic crime dramas based on true events. Delhi Crimes is one of the most influential Indian crime dramas ever, inspired by real-life events. Season 1 is based on the Delhi Police investigation into the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, led by DCP Vartika Chaturvedi. 

Season 2 explores another horrific case involving a notorious gang of criminals. The show has been praised for its sensitive portrayal, authenticity, and gripping storytelling. The series won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series 2020. The series focuses on the investigation process rather than sensationalism, making it a powerful and responsible story.

• Release Date: 22 March 2019
• Program creator: Richie Mehta
• No. of seasons: 2
• Cast: Shefali Shetty, Adil Hussain, Denzil Smith, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Yashaswini Dayama, Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Sagansky
• Where to Watch: Netflix

8. Farzi

“Farzi” is another brilliant crime thriller series from the makers of “The Family Man.” The series tells the story of Sunny, a small-time artist who starts a counterfeit currency business to fight the country’s corrupt system. However, his ambitions lead him into a dangerous world. A ruthless task force officer, Michael, then sets out to track down the counterfeiters. With its fast-paced story, sharp dialogue, and excellent acting, the series thoroughly entertains viewers.

• Release Date: 10 February 2023
• Program creator: Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.
• No. of seasons: 1
• Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna and Bhuvan Arora
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

9. Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega

A crime series that explores cybercrime and phishing, a topic rarely explored in other Indian dramas. Jamtara – Sabka Number Aayega is based on phishing scams run by a group of ambitious young men in Jamtara, a small town in Jharkhand. What begins as a quick-money scheme soon attracts politicians, police, and rival criminals. The stakes become more dangerous with each step in the series’ story. The series has been praised for shedding light on a lesser-known crime that has real-world relevance in India.

• Release Date: 10 January 2020
• Program creator: Soumendra Padhi
• No. of seasons: 2
• Cast: Amit Sial, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Aksha Pardasany, Aasif Khan, Anshumaan Pushkar, Sparsh Shrivastava, Monika Panwar, Aatm Prakash Mishra, and Kartvya Kabra.
• Where to Watch: Netflix

10. Aarya

Aarya is a gripping crime thriller series. Sushmita Sen makes a powerful debut on OTT platforms with this series. The story revolves around Aarya Sareen, a wife and mother. Her life is turned upside down after her husband’s murder. Forced to take charge of her family’s illegal drug business to protect her family, Aarya transforms from a housewife into a feared criminal. Sushmita Sen has also won awards for her role in the series.

• Release Date: 19 June 2020
• Program creator: Ram Madhvani
• No. of seasons: 3
• Cast: Sushmita Sen, Sikander Kher, Bhupendra Jadawat, Ankur Bhatia, and Vikas Kumar
• Where to Watch: JioHotstar

Other Notable Indian Crime Thrillers to Watch

While the 10 series mentioned above top this list, there are plenty of other Indian crime thriller series on OTT platforms worth watching. These shows may not have made the top 10, but they have their own unique storylines and fan base. These web series include latest Amazon Prime Video‘s Breathe, Netflix’s Kohrra, JioHotstar’s Apharan and Criminal Justice, and finally Netflix’s She. Each of these series features a different storyline in the form of a crime thriller.

Upcoming Indian Crime Thrillers on OTT

Indian OTT platforms are constantly experimenting with new stories, bold themes, and deep plots. There are many exciting crime thrillers coming in 2025 and beyond, and fans of the genre have plenty to look forward to. Like Amazon Prime Video’s Mirzapur Season 4, JioHotstar’s Asur Season 3 and Aarya Season 4, and Netflix’s Delhi Crime Season 3, these are some of the best upcoming Indian series you’ll see in a while.

Conclusion

Indian OTT platforms have redefined crime thrillers, from hard-hitting gangster dramas like Sacred Games to psychological thrillers like Asur and realistic investigative shows like Delhi Crimes. With new seasons and originals arriving in 2025, there’s no shortage of gripping stories for thriller fans.

Which series is your favorite? Comment below and let us know!