Best Indian True Crime Stories To Watch On OTT
Here are some of the best Indian true crime series, you can watch across various OTT platforms.
The weekend is here, so it is obvious that our readers will be scratching their heads on what to watch next. Choices are many, OTT platforms are many, but sometimes it is hard to find a perfect series or movie to watch from the comfort of your bed or sofa. For the past few weeks, we have been dishing out choices on what to watch on OTT, but this time around, we have come up with an elaborate curated list, and this week we will be telling you about true crime docuseries that should definitely be on your binge list.
In this article, we will tell you about some of the best Indian true crime series, and if you haven't watched them yet. Then it is the perfect time to do so. We were all waiting for 'The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth' to release on Netflix this week. The series, which deals with the murder of Sheena Bora, and how the blame fell upon her mother Indrani Mukerjea, was slated to release on the streaming platform Netflix on February 23. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the release of the series.
If you were really excited about 'The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth', and you don't know anything about the real-life story, let us give you a little background about the case. Indrani Mukerjea was granted bail in 2022, nearly seven years after she was arrested by the Mumbai Police for the murder of her daughter, Sheena Bora. She was accused of killing her own daughter Sheena Bora. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the release after the CBI requested to delay the premiere till the trial in the murder case is complete.
Since this series won't be available to watch this weekend, we have come up with a list of some other true crime docuseries that you can watch on streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and more. True crime series or movies have gained immense popularity globally, as they offer viewers a perfect mix of suspense, intrigue, and real-life storytelling.
In the past two or three years, India has seen a massive spike in the production of true crime docuseries, and hence we decided to come up with our top ten picks that you can stream this weekend. These tales are the perfect examples of how the audience was left captivated. Once you watch these gripping narratives, compelling performances, and thought-provoking themes, you will realise how there is no other genre like true storytelling, which has no room for fiction.
Without further ado, here is the list:
1. The Hunt For Veerappan (Netflix)
This Netflix true crime docuseries is one of the best to come out of India. The four-part series has been directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan. In the series, the makers have tried to explore the chilling untold and unheard stories behind the dreaded Indian bandit Veerappan. You will be left spellbound on how the bandit managed to terrorise political parties and police forces across India.
2. House Of Secrets: The Burari Deaths (Netflix)
This Netflix series has been created by Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra. The three-part series deals with the theories surrounding the demise of eleven members of the same Indian family in Delhi in 2018. The series has been directed by Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra. Not many people know this, but the score of the docuseries has been provided by AR Rahman and his ensemble of musician group, Qutub-E-Kripa. The series was very well appreciated by the critics, and if you haven't watched it, then it should definitely be on your binge list.
3. My Daughter Joined A Cult (Discovery+)
This Discovery+ series tells the viewers about the story of the controversial and self-styled godman, Swami Nithyananda. The series also does an excellent job of giving a voice to individuals who were at the epicenter of it all. This three-part series should definitely be on your binge list this week.
4. Crime Stories: India Detectives (Netflix)
This Netflix series has been created and directed by N Amit and Jack Rampling. The four-part series stars N Shashi Kumar, Roopa KS, and Gopala Nayak. This show chronicles the workings of the Bengaluru Police and how they worked really hard in trying to solve four violent crimes. Three crimes are related to murder and one is regarding the kidnapping of a child.
5. Curry And Cyanide (Netflix)
'Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case', released on Netflix and this true-crime documentary has been directed by Christo Tomy. The series tries to investigate the six deaths in the same family. Later it is revealed that a woman was at the center of the Koodathayi Cyanide killing case. The series is based on actual events in Koodathayi, a village in Kerala, India, between 2002 and 2016. By the end of the series, we find out that Jolly Joseph, a mother and wife, was accused of poisoning six members of her family, including her first husband, with cyanide-laced food. She came up with this elaborate plan to inherit the family property and to marry her lover, who was her husband’s cousin.
6. Delhi Crime (Netflix)
This Netflix series is an Indian police procedural crime drama, written and directed by Richie Mehta. The series stars Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain, and Rajesh Tailang. The first season tells the story of the 2012 Delhi gang rape while the second season focuses on the Chaddi Baniyan Gang. The first season ended up receiving critical acclaim. At the International Emmy Awards held in September 2020, Delhi Crime also became the first Indian series to receive the award for Outstanding Drama Series.
7. Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi (Netflix)
This Netflix series has been produced by VICE India and directed by Ayesha Sood. The series tries to explore both the police investigation and the motives of Chandrakant Jha, a serial killer. With people not aware of this chilling tale, this serial killer left three decapitated victims outside the Tihar Jail accompanied by mocking notes. This whole incident transpired in 2006-07.
8. Dancing on the Grave (Prime Video)
This Prime Video series was released in 2023 and it is based on the Shakereh Khaleeli murder case. The four-part series has been directed by Patrick Graham, while it has been produced by the India Today Group. If you are not aware of this case, then let us tell you about it. Shakereh Khaleeli was an Indian real estate developer and philanthropist and she was murdered by her second husband, Swami Shradhananda. After three years of a sting operation, the Karnataka Police finally received an admission of murder from Shradhananda. After his confession, he ended up guiding the police to her remains which were buried in her own home.
9. Indian Predator: Murder in a Courtroom (Netflix)
This Netflix series is based on the true story of Bharat Kalicharan Yadav (aka Akku Yadav). As per several media reports, this man raped more than 40 women who lived in Kasturba Nagar, Nagpur. The entire three-part series has been narrated by Vilas Bhande and Resha Raut, who are both accused of Akku Yadav's murder. In 2004, around 200 women of Kasturba Nagar killed Akku Yadav in court number 7 of the District Court of Nagpur because of the pain he inflicted on so many women. This chilling tale will send shivers down your spine.
10. Wild Wild Country (Netflix)
This Netflix series tells the story of the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho), his personal assistant Ma Anand Sheela, and their community of followers in the Rajneeshpuram community located in Wasco County, Oregon, US. This six-part series will blow your mind, even if you don't know anything about Osho and his teachings. The millennial generation might not know, how big of a cult Osho had created back in the day, but ask your parents, they might tell you better.
Had a great time reading this? Then, keep on looking out for more, as we will be coming out with these types of articles every weekend! If you like us coming up with these articles every week, keep sharing so that we know our hard work is bearing some results. With this, happy weekend!
