Right now, the film that’s got India talking about it is Dhurandhar 2. The box office opening weekend of this movie was not only huge, but it has set hundreds of records already and is well on its way to becoming one of the top movies of the year. With all of the high-stakes international espionage, undercover action, and intense, tension-filled storylines throughout Dhurandhar 2, it’s no wonder that people want to see more in this genre.
Those of you who enjoyed watching Dhurandhar 2 and are looking for more heart-pounding espionage, here are five Indian spy thrillers you absolutely shouldn’t miss:
Raazi
Raazi is an incredibly gripping and intelligent portrayal of espionage. The movie tells the story of a young Indian woman, Sehmat, who marries into a powerful Pakistani military family to pass on crucial intel during the 1971 war. The film’s story, unlike most other films about espionage, showcases the true meaning of restraint; there’s tension in silences, in stolen glances, and in the constant fear of being discovered. The movie showcases powerful performances by Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Jaideep Ahlawat, among others.
D-Day
If you like the gritty realism of Dhurandhar 2, you will love D-Day! The film features a secret mission to capture India’s most wanted terrorist and has lots of intense action, as well as emotional back stories. It is quite dark, extremely intense, and demonstrates the human side of spies who operate in the shadows. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, and Huma Qureshi in pivotal roles.
Madras Cafe
Starring John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri, and Raashii Khanna, Madras Cafe occurs during the Sri Lankan civil war and tells the story of an Indian Intelligence officer who is caught up in a complex political conspiracy. The realism in this film makes it exciting to watch, as it does not feel like a movie but more like a behind-the-scenes look into how intelligence operations take place.
Baby
Baby is fast-paced and full of action as it follows a secret counter-terrorism unit that is trying to stop attacks on Indian soil. Think of Baby as having big, slick missions, global relevance, and telling the story straight. If Dhurandhar2 made you feel on the edge of your seat, Baby will keep that same intensity going. The film packs outstanding performances by Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Rana Daggubati, and Taapsee Pannu.
Sarfarosh
Aamir Khan starrer Sarfarosh is a classic in this category as it combines patriotism with an investigative thriller. The film tells the story of an IPS officer who investigates cross-border terrorism. Although Sarfarosh does not have the same production value as newer spy films, the storytelling, performances, and emotional impact are still very strong even today.
Final word
With Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2, it has been demonstrated that the spy genre of film can be an extremely exciting genre to produce, with high levels of suspense, many different layers of political implications, and very significant stakes concerning people. And, these five films demonstrate the fact that Bollywood has been developing this area of filmmaking for a long time.
If you’re still riding that Dhurandhar 2 high, this watchlist should be your next mission.
