Loved ‘Adolescence’? Then, these slow-burn Bollywood thrillers with suspense, intrigue, and mystery are sure to knock your socks off |

In the booming world of cinematic gems and OTT marvels, content from around the globe is finding a stronghold in the hearts of audiences. Entertainment today is not just about ‘masala’; it is about substance. It’s about keeping the audience glued to the edge of their seats not just by the element of suspense but also genuine good writing. A perfect example is the recently released Netflix limited series – ‘Adolescence.’

‘Adolescence’

Capturing the raw essence of growing up with remarkable honesty and depth, ‘Adolescence’ follows the story of young individuals grappling with issues ranging from identity and self-expression to the pressures of social media and mental health.
One of the beauties of the show is that it didn’t hesitate to show the messiness and complexities of relationships. The inner struggle, the repeated and unapologetic attempts to fit in among peers and family, everything that’s wrong, that’s simply too hard to accept and thus is ignored, is shown both in its true element and beautifully layered narratives.

The Evolution of the Slow-Burn Thriller in Bollywood

In India, where we are known to produce mass entertainers like ‘Pushpa,’ ‘KGF,’ ‘Animal,’ a series like ‘Adolescence’ found its footing. Its popularity among the Indian audience has made everyone wonder about the level of acceptance that has evolved among cinema lovers over the years. However, what many might have ignored to notice is that perhaps not much but Bollywood too has slow-burn thrillers that have been appreciated by the audience for their sheer rawness.
Slow-burn thrillers in Bollywood are characterized by their deliberate pacing, intricate storytelling, and focus on character development, all of which contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. Today, we are going to delve into such stories.

‘Sarkar’

Headlined by Amitabh Bachchan, ‘Sarkar’ is one of its kind movie of Bollywood. It follows the story of Subhash Nagre, fondly called Sarkar. He is a powerful and influential figure whose unorthodox way of dispensing justice can’t be bent. For him, operating outside the conventional legal system is like first nature.
However, as they say, with great power comes greater evil! Sarkar’s life is turned upside down following an assassination attempt, prompting his younger son Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan), to step up and safeguard his father’s legacy. As Shankar explores the dark realms of politics and crime, he uncovers deception and fierce rivalries within his own family, particularly involving his older brother Vishnu.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video.

‘The Buckingham Murders’

Set in the serene backdrop of Buckinghamshire, England, ‘The Buckingham Murders’ is one of the best works of Kareena Kapoor Khan. She plays Jaspreet Bhamra, a British-Indian detective grieving her son’s death. While she is still struggling with her grief, she is assigned to investigate a missing 10-year-old Indian boy. The unsettling truths about the town and its people and the investigation journey that makes her walk through numerous clues and suspects lead to a series of unpleasant experiences. The loss of her son collides with the murder of the child as Jaspreet struggles to solve the case. Inspired by Nordic noir, the movie is an emotionally charged, chilling mystery.

The movie is available on Netflix.

‘D’

Gritty visuals? Check! An unfiltered view of gang wars? Check! Intense performance and gripping story? Check! And there you have Randeep Hooda’s ‘D’ ready to captivate you.
The movie centers around Deshu (played by Randeep Hooda), a man from a small town who unwittingly finds himself caught up in the criminal underbelly of Mumbai after witnessing a gang conflict. Following a personal loss, Deshu decides to join a gang in pursuit of revenge and power. His sharp mind and strategic skills helped him quickly ascend the hierarchy. However, his ambition and quest for a distinct identity create friction with the gang’s leaders, resulting in betrayals, struggles for power, and violence.
The movie can be streamed on YouTube.

‘Silence… Can You Hear It’

Available of ZEE5, ‘Silence… Can You Hear It’ features Manoj Bajpayee playing the role of Avinash Verma, a senior police officer investigating a high-profile murder of a retired judge’s daughter, Pooja.

Pooja was last seen at her best friend Kavita’s house, where she spent the night. Shortly after, she was discovered murdered, with potential suspects including Kavita’s husband Ravi, an MLA; Pooja’s close friend Rishabh; his girlfriend Kia; and an unexpected suspect named Sunny, who has no ties to Pooja. The story focuses on the investigation led by Avinash, who interviews Pooja’s family, friends, and acquaintances, diligently searching for the culprit.

The Future of Slow-Burn Thrillers in Bollywood

As digital platforms continue to thrive and audience preferences evolve, the future looks bright for slow-burn thrillers in Bollywood. The combination of rich storytelling, innovative production techniques, and the freedom provided by OTT platforms is likely to fuel a new era of suspense-driven cinema. Filmmakers are increasingly taking risks, experimenting with narrative styles, and pushing the boundaries of traditional genres—all of which promise a dynamic future for Indian thrillers.
Vardhan Puri, in one of his conversations with ETimes, said, “Speaking from my personal experience, ambitious storytelling and an actor’s experience on a project are directly proportional.”
“The single shot format is a uniquely immersive experience that makes the viewers seamlessly transport themselves into a world of make-believe. Great cinematic geniuses compare a cut in cinematic storytelling with an eye’s blink and obviously an eye that doesn’t blink is every cinephile’s dream. Adolescence and its quality of storytelling and technical brilliance is a dream for any artist to associate with all across the world,” he added.
Madhur Bhandarkar, the filmmaker who is known for his realistic cinema, in his conversation with us, said if ‘Heroine’ (headlined by Kareena Kapoor )had been made today, he would have given it a different climax. He believes the audience today has more acceptance of such subjects and appreciates complexities more than ever.
Though the acceptance of such slow-burn thrillers is not a new phenomenon in Bollywood, with the rise of OTT and easy access to global cinema, the future of this genre looks brighter!