Best Detective Thrillers to Watch on Jio Hotstar

The Night Manager, Netrikann & More: Top Crime & Detective Thrillers Streaming on Jio Hotstar

Jio Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar) offers a variety of crime thrillers and detective shows that combine gripping investigations, high stakes, and smart storytelling. Whether you want psychological mysteries, espionage, or procedural crime drama, here are some of the best detective thrillers to add to your watchlist.

1. The Night Manager

A sleek, espionage-driven series, The Night Manager is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Anil Kapoor plays Shelly Rungta, a ruthless arms dealer, and Aditya Roy Kapur is Shaan Sengupta, a former soldier turned hotel manager, who gets drawn into covert operations to take Rungta down. The show is based on John le Carré’s novel and was very popular on Hotstar.

Why watch: Rich spy-thriller feel, excellent performances, and top-tier production.
Highlight: It became one of the most-watched Hotstar Specials.
 

2. Drishyam (2015)

A brilliantly written crime thriller, Drishyam explores how an ordinary man goes to extraordinary lengths to protect his family after they inadvertently commit a crime. Ajay Devgn plays Vijay, who outsmarts the police using his intelligence and calm under pressure.

Why watch: Emotional depth meets clever detective plotting.
Highlight: It’s a cat-and-mouse game where the “detective” isn’t always a cop — and every clue matters.
 

3. Netrikann

This Tamil-language crime thriller features Nayanthara as a visually impaired police officer who becomes central to solving a serial killer case.

Why watch: Unique premise — a blind investigator relying on her other senses to uncover dark mysteries.
Highlight: The tension builds slowly, making each revelation feel earned and unpredictable.

4. Cadaver (2022)

Cadaver is a police-procedural thriller where a crime surgeon is called in to help identify victims after a deadly accident.

Why watch: It’s not just about catching the killer — the film dives into medical forensics and the emotional weight of death.
Highlight: Blends investigative thriller with a moral dilemma: how far should someone go in the name of justice?
 

5. Gaslight (2023)

In Gaslight, Sara Ali Khan and Vikrant Massey star in a psychological mystery. The plot weaves deception, gaslighting, and murder into a tight thriller that keeps the audience guessing about who is manipulating whom.

Why watch: Modern psychological thriller with layered characters and a tense narrative.
Highlight: The mind games are real — trust is fragile, and motives are murky.
 

6. Aakhri Sach

This web series is inspired by real-life events: it retraces the mysterious Burari deaths through an investigative lens. Tamannaah Bhatia plays the lead investigator, Anya, who digs into deep-rooted secrets and unsettling truths.

Why watch: Based on a chilling real case, giving it a haunting edge.
Highlight: Each episode peels back another layer — family secrets, mental health, and crime intertwine.
 

7. Apurva (2023)

Apurva is a survival-thriller set in Chambal. Tara Sutaria’s character finds herself in a dangerous situation where cunning and grit are her only weapons.

Why watch: Not a typical detective story — it's about survival, trust, and hidden motives.
Highlight: Every decision could mean life or death; the stakes are deeply personal.
 

Why These Detective Thrillers Stand Out on Hotstar

• Diverse Storylines: From espionage (The Night Manager) to psychological manipulation (Gaslight) and real-life tragedy (Aakhri Sach), there’s something for every kind of thriller fan.
• Strong Leads: Performances by seasoned actors like Anil Kapoor and Nayanthara lend weight to the narratives.
• High Production Value: These series and films don’t skimp on cinematography, direction, or set design — they feel cinematic.
• Emotional & Intellectual Engagement: Beyond chasing criminals, these stories explore ethical dilemmas, human psychology, and moral ambiguity.

Tips for Watching on Jio Hotstar

Use the search feature — type in the name of the show followed by “Hotstar” to find it quickly.

Check for dubbed or subtitled versions, especially for regional content like Netrikann.

Make use of the watchlist — add these titles so new episodes or similar content can be discovered easily.

If available, download episodes for offline viewing, ideal for travel or low-connectivity scenarios.