15+ Unmissable Movies Like Maharaja for Thriller Fans

Tisha Chadha

Hey there, movie buffs! Ever since Maharaja hit the screens, we’ve been on the hunt for more mind-bending thrillers that keep us on the edge of our seats. Well, guess what? We’ve struck gold! From top-rated South Indian flicks to international gems, we’ve got a lineup that’ll make your head spin faster than Vijay Sethupathi can say “plot twist.”
Get ready to dive into a world of suspense, mystery, and jaw-dropping climaxes. We’re talking about movies that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew, just like Maharaja did. Whether you’re a Netflix junkie or a cinema hall enthusiast, we’ve got something for everyone. So, grab your popcorn and get comfy – we’re about to take you on a wild ride through 20 unmissable movies that’ll scratch that Maharaja itch and then some!

1) Talaash

Alright, folks, let’s dive into “Talaash” – a mind-bending thriller that’ll have you glued to your seats! This Aamir Khan starrer is a real treat, packed with a tight script and killer performances. Trust me, it’s worth every minute of the wait! The story follows Inspector Shekhawat (Aamir) as he chases two truths – one inside himself and one in the outside world. With Rani Mukerji as his wife and Kareena Kapoor as a mysterious prostitute, the plot thickens faster than you can say “plot twist”! What I love about “Talaash” is its unpredictable climax. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, boom! It hits you with a reveal that’ll leave you gobsmacked. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle where all the pieces keep changing shape!

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2) Bramayugam

Let’s talk about “Bramayugam” – a mind-bending black and white Malayalam thriller that’s got us all buzzing! I’ve got to say, this flick is like stepping into a time machine mixed with a haunted house. It’s giving me major “Tumbbad” vibes, but with a Kerala twist. The star of the show? Mammootty, of course! He’s serving up some serious creepy vibes as Kodumon Potty. Trust me, his evil laugh will haunt your dreams. The black and white cinematography? Absolute genius! It’s like we’re trapped in this eerie world where time stands still. This movie’s got it all – folklore, mind games, and a dash of horror. No cheap jump scares here, just pure atmospheric dread. If you’re up for a unique cinema experience, “Bramayugam” is your ticket to a thrilling ride!

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3) Kurangu Bommai

Picture this: an honest driver tries to find the owner of a bag, thinking it’s got wedding money. Plot twist! It’s actually his dad’s stash for moving a stolen idol. Talk about family drama! Nithilan Swaminathan’s really nailed it with his clever script. You’ll be piecing things together right up to the last scene! The suspense is killer, with a villain that’ll give you chills and a score that’ll have your heart racing. It’s packed with those “aha!” moments that’ll keep you guessing till the end.

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4) The Usual Suspects

Picture this: a group of criminals are blackmailed into a heist that goes horribly wrong. The story unfolds through the eyes of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a small-time con man who’s being grilled by the cops. He spins a tale of a mysterious crime lord named Keyser Söze, who’s pulling all the strings. Here’s where it gets wild – Verbal is the ultimate unreliable narrator. He’s weaving half-truths and outright lies, keeping us on our toes throughout the film. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape!

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5) Oldboy

Oh Dae-su, a regular Joe, gets kidnapped and locked up for 15 years. No explanation, no nothing. Just him, a TV, and his growing anger. When he’s finally let out, he’s on a mission for revenge that’ll make your head spin! This flick’s all about payback! Dae-su’s out for blood, but here’s the kicker – his captor, Lee Woo-jin, is playing an even bigger revenge game. It’s like a twisted chess match where everyone’s a pawn.

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6) Andhadhun

Akash, a pianist pretending to be blind, gets tangled up in a murder mystery. Talk about a recipe for disaster! He’s living it up in Pune, playing tunes and fooling everyone. But here’s the kicker – his fake blindness lands him in hot water when he witnesses a crime he wasn’t supposed to see. We’ve got unreliable narrators, moral dilemmas, and plot twists that’ll make your head spin. The tension builds up like a pressure cooker, with clever editing and a haunting score that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, I tell you!

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7) Iratta

The story revolves around the mysterious death of a cop at Vagamon police station. Here’s the kicker: his estranged twin brother, also a cop, is investigating the case. Talk about family drama! Joju George absolutely nails it in this double role! He plays Pramod, a sober DYSP with a broken family, and Vinod, a violent ASI. The way he switches between these polar opposite characters is just mind-blowing. It’s like watching two different people on screen!

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8) Drishyam

I’ve got to tell you about “Drishyam” – it’s a mind-bending thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat! The story follows a cable TV operator, and his family who get caught up in a murder mess. When his daughter accidentally kills a guy who’s blackmailing her, the family’s world turns upside down. He’s no ordinary joe – he’s a movie buff with a knack for outsmarting everyone. He crafts an airtight alibi by rewiring people’s memories about when they met his family. Talk about next-level thinking! He’s always one step ahead of the cops, anticipating their moves like a chess grandmaster.

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9) Kahaani

I’ve got to tell you about “Kahaani” – it’s a mind-bending thriller that’ll keep you guessing! Picture this: Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant British-Indian woman, arrives in Kolkata during Durga Puja, searching for her missing husband. But here’s the kicker – nothing is as it seems! The film plays with our minds, using Vidya as an unreliable narrator. We see her memories, but they’re not quite right. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing! The director keeps us on our toes, making us question everything we see.

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10) Super Deluxe

I’ve got to tell you about “Super Deluxe” – it’s a mind-bending Tamil flick that’ll keep you guessing! This movie’s got four wild stories that all come together in the craziest ways. We’ve got Shilpa, a transgender woman dealing with family drama, some teens stumbling upon a shocking porn video, a couple trying to hide a dead body, and a faith healer’s crisis. It’s like a rollercoaster of emotions, I swear!

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11) Missing

Picture this: June Allen, an 18-year-old tech-savvy girl, is left home alone when her mum Grace jets off to Colombia with her new boyfriend Kevin. But when they don’t return, June’s world turns upside down. She dives into the digital realm, using every online tool at her disposal to find her missing mum.

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12) Ratsasan

Arun, an aspiring filmmaker turned cop, gets caught up in a series of gruesome murders. The victims? Young schoolgirls. As Arun digs deeper, he realizes he’s dealing with a seriously twisted serial killer. The killer’s M.O. is chilling – mutilated dolls, brutal murders, and a creepy magic show connection. It turns out the culprit is Christopher, a guy with Werner Syndrome who looks way older than he is. Talk about a plot twist!

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13) Soodhu Kavvum

This 2013 black comedy crime film is Nalan Kumarasamy’s directorial debut, and boy, did he knock it out of the park! Picture this: Das, a middle-aged guy with an imaginary girlfriend, teams up with three broke dudes for some low-profile kidnapping gigs. They’ve got rules, like “no politicians,” but you know that’s gonna go sideways! They end up tangled in a wild scheme involving a minister’s son, Arumai, who’s playing both sides. It’s like a game of cat and mouse, but everyone’s a cat!

14) Ugly

I’ve got to tell you about “Ugly” – it’s a mind-bending thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat! Picture this: Rahul, a struggling actor, takes his daughter Kali for a drive. While he’s busy with a work call, Kali vanishes from the car. This flick’s all about showing the ugly side of human nature. Everyone’s got their own agenda, from Rahul’s ex-wife Shalini to her new hubby, police chief Bose. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion – you can’t look away! The characters are so messed up, you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives.

15) Ela Veezha Poonchira

Picture this: Madhu, a cop, returns to his hilltop station in Poonchira. The place is notorious for deadly lightning strikes, and the cops risk their lives to keep visitors safe. One day, tragedy strikes when a family visits, and a son gets killed by lightning. Talk about a gut-punch! The atmosphere in this flick is off the charts! Shahi Kabir, the director, really knows how to crank up the tension. The remote setting, miles away from civilisation, adds to the eerie vibe. And get this – the film’s got no over-the-top score telling you when to be scared. It’s all about subtle nuances and details that’ll have you piecing things together long after the credits roll. Trust me, this one’s a real nail-biter!

16) Gargi

Sai Pallavi plays Gargi, a school teacher whose world turns upside down when her 60-year-old dad gets arrested for gang-raping a 9-year-old girl. Talk about a gut punch! The emotional rollercoaster in this flick is off the charts! We see Gargi’s journey from disbelief to determination as she fights to prove her dad’s innocence. It’s like watching a tug-of-war between her heart and her head. The flashbacks of her own past abuse add another layer of complexity. It’s heavy stuff, folks!

17) Bhoothakaalam

Picture this: Asha, a clinically depressed teacher, and her jobless son Vinu are stuck in a house with some seriously spooky vibes. Their relationship? Let’s just say it’s more toxic than your ex’s Instagram feed. Things get wild when Vinu starts hearing creepy noises and seeing his dead grandma. Is he losing it, or is there something sinister lurking in the shadows? This flick’s got more layers than a wedding cake! It’s not just about ghosts – it’s diving deep into the messy world of mental health. Asha’s battling depression, while Vinu’s drowning his sorrows in booze. The director’s playing mind games with us, making us question if what we’re seeing is supernatural or just the characters’ minds going haywire. It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube in the dark!

18) Haseen Dillruba

Picture this: Rani, a Delhi girl, marries Rishu, a small-town engineer. Their arranged marriage is a total mismatch! Things get spicy when Rishu’s cousin Neel shows up, and Rani’s head turns faster than a Bollywood dance number. Here’s the kicker – Rani’s telling the story, but can we trust her? She’s spinning tales to the cops about Rishu’s supposed death in an explosion. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing! The climax? It’s a total jaw-dropper that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew. Trust me, this one’s a real nail-biter!

Conclusion

To wrap up, our journey through these mind-bending thrillers has taken us on a wild ride of suspense, plot twists, and jaw-dropping revelations. From the clever misdirection of “Andhadhun” to the chilling atmosphere of “Bhoothakaalam,” these films showcase the best of what the thriller genre has to offer. They keep us guessing, challenge our perceptions, and leave us wanting more. Whether you’re a fan of psychological mind games, intricate revenge plots, or supernatural mysteries, there’s something in this list for every thriller enthusiast. These movies don’t just entertain; they have a lasting impact, making us think long after the credits roll. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a heart-pounding movie marathon that’ll have you on the edge of your seat!

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