Telugu film industry, or Tollywood, has produced some of the best thriller films of all time. With crime dramas to psychological thrillers, these films captivate the viewers by the sudden twists, suspenseful narrative, and impeccable performances.
Here are the top 10 Telugu thriller films that have raised the bar for the genre.
Kshanam (2016) – A Missing Child and a Twisted Mystery
Kshanam is a game-changer of a thriller that set new standards for suspenseful storytelling in Telugu cinema.
- Director: Ravikanth Perepu
- Cast: Adivi Sesh, Adah Sharma, Anasuya Bharadwaj
- Plot: A guy returns from the U.S. to help his former girlfriend search for her missing child and finds out heinous secrets along the way.
- Why Watch? There are twists, turns, and a skillfully written script here that make it a must-watch thriller.
Kshanam was well-received for its engrossing script and twisty plot.
Evaru (2019) – A Murder Case of Concealed Truths
Based on the Spanish thriller The Invisible Guest, Evaru is a crime thriller with out-of-the-world surprises.
- Director: Venkat Ramji
- Cast: Adivi Sesh, Regina Cassandra, Naveen Chandra
- Plot: A woman’s claim of self-defense in a murder case is investigated by a police officer, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
- Why Watch? A well-crafted thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the end.
With a gripping story and fine performances, Evaru is one of the best thrillers in Telugu cinema.
3. 1: Nenokkadine (2014) – A Psychological Thriller Like No Other
1: Nenokkadine is a layered psychological thriller that tests viewers with its non-linear narrative.
- Director: Sukumar
- Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kriti Sanon
- Plot: A rockstar who is hallucinating embarks on a journey to discover what occurred in his past.
- Why Watch? A unique concept with an experimental storyline, coupled with Mahesh Babu’s superb performance.
Even though it received mixed reviews upon release, the film gained a cult following because of its witty screenplay.
Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005) – A Missing Day and a Deadly Chase
A pre-emptive thriller, Anukokunda Oka Roju is a thrilling mystery that has the audience sitting on the edge of their seats.
- Director: Chandra Sekhar Yeleti
- Cast: Charmme Kaur, Jagapathi Babu, Shashank
- Plot: A woman realizes that she lost a day from her memory and that she is being chased by unknown attackers.
- Why Watch? A new plot with a spooky atmosphere and surprise twists.
The film is a cult classic in Telugu thrillers, giving suspense around every corner.
Goodachari (2018) – A Personalized Spy Thriller
Goodachari is a slick spy thriller with an engaging plot and high-octane action beats.
- Director: Sashi Kiran Tikka
- Cast: Adivi Sesh, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj
- Plot: An Indian intelligence trainee is implicated in a crime and must establish his innocence.
- Why Watch? A fast-moving, intelligent spy thriller with stimulating action sequences.
With its suave execution, Goodachari remade the spy thriller genre in Telugu cinema.
Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019) – Detective Thriller with a Hunk of Humor
Combining comedy and suspense, Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya is a fresh take on detective thrillers.
- Director: Swaroop RSJ
- Cast: Naveen Polishetty, Shruti Sharma
- Plot: A small-time detective gets drawn into a murder case far more intricate than it seems.
- Why Watch? A clever mix of suspense, crime, and comedy with a decent lead performance.
The film received appreciation for its snappy dialogue and thrilling narration.
Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada (2016) – Supernatural Thriller with Romance
A supernatural thriller with a dash of romance, Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada entwines suspense, horror, and romance.
- Director: Vi Anand
- Cast: Nikhil Siddharth, Hebah Patel, Nandita Swetha
- Plot: A man falls in love with a woman, but she might be someone else entirely.
- Why Watch? A dreamlike blend of supernatural thriller and psychological tension.
The movie has a gripping blend of horror and romance with unexpected twists.
Mathu Vadalara (2019) – Dark Comedy Crime Thriller
Mathu Vadalara is an offbeat thriller that engages the viewer with its untrustworthy narration.
- Director: Ritesh Rana
- Cast: Sri Simha Koduri, Satya, Naresh Agastya
- Plot: A delivery boy attempts to cheat a client but ends up in the dangerous web of a crime.
- Why Watch? An entertaining blend of suspense and black humor.
The film kept people surprised by its off-beat storyline and riveting screenplay.
Karthikeya (2014) – A Thriller Based on Mythology
A mythologically spiced up thriller, Karthikeya is a suspenseful mystery entertainment.
- Cast: Nikhil Siddharth, Swathi Reddy
- Plot: A medical student discovers supernatural events in a village, exposing secrets.
- Why Watch? An enthralling narrative blending mystery and mythological background.
The success of the movie gave rise to a sequel, Karthikeya 2, developing its supernatural universe even further.
Hit: The First Case (2020) – A Suspenseful Crime Thriller
A thrilling detective suspense, Hit: The First Case follows an inspector with PTSD as he investigates a missing persons case.
- Director: Sailesh Kolanu
- Starring: Vishwak Sen, Ruhani Sharma
- Plot: A freshly minted cop with internal trauma is assigned a high-profile missing persons’ case to solve.
- Why Watch? Gripping suspense and tense situations done well with strong performances.
So good was the film that producers opted for a sequel that dives deeper into the life of the protagonist.
Why Telugu Thriller Movies Are Worth Watching
- Powerful story – Telugu thrillers consist of strong stories with shocking turns.
- Versatility – They depict a range of subgenres, from psychological thrillers to action thrillers.
- Strong performances – Most of them consist of good performances by major stars.
- New ideas – Directors experiment with new ways of telling stories, and thrillers get thrilling.
- Global recognition – Some Telugu thrillers have been recognized globally.
FAQs
What is the best Telugu psychological thriller?
1: Nenokkadine is among the best psychological thrillers with a complex plot.
What is the best Telugu crime thriller?
Goodachari is among the best-grossing crime thrillers in a spy-action genre.
Are there any supernatural Telugu thriller movies?
Yes, films such as Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada have supernatural with suspense.
Which Telugu thriller has the best plot twists?
Evaru and Kshanam are known for their thrilling and shocking plot twists.
Is there a Telugu detective thriller movie?
Yes, Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya is a detective comedy-suspense thriller film.