7 Telugu suspense thrillers that will keep you guessing: From Mangalavaaram to Evaru

7 Telugu suspense thrillers that will keep you guessing: From Mangalavaaram to Evaru

As a connoisseur of cinematic suspense who has traversed the seven seas and countless film festivals to satiate my insatiable appetite for thrillers, I must say that the Telugu film industry has truly outdone itself with its exceptional collection of suspense thrillers.


The Tamil film industry boasts a long-standing tradition of producing nail-biting mystery and suspense films that leave viewers at the edge of excitement. With complex narratives and surprising plot twists, these movies captivate audiences while demonstrating the ingenuity of skilled directors. Lately, this genre has witnessed a resurgence, merging old-school narrative styles with modern storytelling techniques to take suspense to unprecedented levels.

As a die-hard enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my top picks for seven captivating Telugu suspense thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat! These masterpieces not only showcase the genre at its finest but also ensure you won’t see the twists coming until it’s too late.

1. Mangalavaaram (2023)

Cast: Payal Rajput, Divya Pillai, Shravan Reddy, Nandita Shwetha

Ratings: 6.7/10

Where to watch: Hotstar

In a village within Andhra Pradesh during the 1980s, the suspenseful Telugu film “Mangalavaaram” was directed by Ajay Bhupati. This movie unfolds as a gripping murder mystery with an unusual twist: the names of those destined to be killed are publicly posted in the village.

The movie melds raw and native components with those of supernatural horror. It stars Payal Rajput in the lead role, making the movie full of suspense and thrilling moments.

2. Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019)

Cast: Naveen Polishetty, Shruti Sharma, Sandeep Raj

Ratings: 8.3/10

Where to watch: Prime

2019 hit movie “Agent Sai Sreenivasa Athreya” is a suspenseful investigative thriller where Naveen Polishetty stars as the protagonist. In addition to starring, Polishetty collaborated with director Swaroop RSJ on the screenplay. Polishetty’s character is a detective from Nellore who yearns for a major career breakthrough. An unexpected discovery of a corpse near the railway tracks sets off an intriguing chain of events filled with shocking twists and exhilarating moments that keep viewers hooked.

3. Hit (2020)

Cast: Vishwak Sen, Ruhani Sharma, Murali Sharma

Ratings: 7.6/10

Where to watch: Prime

2020 saw the release of the gripping suspense thriller “HIT,” directed by Sailesh Kolanu. The main characters are portrayed by Vishwak Sen and Ruhani Sharma, with Vishwak Sen taking on the role of Vikram Rudraraju, a detective in the Telangana CID known for his keen eye for details that often go unnoticed by others.

In the movie, a significant case connected to events that stir his old, distressing memories will put both Vikram’s career and abilities to the test. The thrilling narrative of the film centers on whether Vikram can successfully resolve the case despite his struggles with PTSD.

4. Dhruva (2016)

Cast: Ram Charan, Rakul Preet Singh, Aravind Swamy

Ratings: 7.7/10

Where to watch: Hotstar

The 2016 Telugu thriller movie titled Dhruva was helmed by Surender Reddy. In this film, Ram Charan from the RRR cast takes on the lead role of Dhruva. Aravind Swami and Rakul Preet Singh are among the other important characters in this motion picture.

In a fresh take, movie “Dhruva” is a reimagining of the 2015 Tamil hit film “Thani Oruvan,” starring Jayam Ravi and Nayanthara as the main characters. Aravind Swamy reprises his villainous role in both films. “Dhruva” stands out among Telugu suspense thrillers of the past ten years.

5. Hit: The Second Case (2022)

Cast: Adivi Sesh, Meenakshi Choudhary, Nani

Ratings: 7.1/10

Where to watch: Prime

In my perspective, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming film I’m eagerly anticipating is the sequel to the 2020 blockbuster HIT. Just like the original, this sequel is helmed by director Sailesh Kolanu. However, unlike its predecessor, which starred Vishwak Sen, this one features Adivi Sesh in the lead role. The narrative continues to unfold the gripping storyline of the series, propelling it even further. In an exciting twist, the closing scene of this movie includes a well-received cameo by Nani, who will reportedly reappear in the third installment.

6. Game Over (2019)

Cast: Tapsee Pannu, Vinodhini Vaidhyanathan

Ratings:6.9/10

Where to watch: Prime, Netflix

The 2019 film “Game Over” was created by Ashwin Saravanan and features dialogue in both Telugu and Tamil. In this movie, Taapsee Pannu portrays a character named Swapna who has nyctophobia and PTSD. As Swapna struggles with her mental health issues, she encounters a chilling ordeal – a murderer invades her home, plunging her into a high-stakes game of survival amidst a life-altering crisis. Critics have praised “Game Over” as one of the top suspense thrillers in Telugu cinema.

7. Evaru (2019)

Cast: Adivi Sesh,Naveen Chandra, Regina Cassandra

Ratings: 8.1/10

Where to watch: Prime

2019’s Telugu film “Evaru” is a gripping suspense thriller that was inspired by the Spanish movie “The Invisible Guest.” Starring Adivi Sesh under Venkat Ramji’s direction, this movie presents a tale of a morally questionable police officer named Vikram Vasudev. The officer attempts to solve what initially seems like an uncontested case: a woman accused of murdering her rapist. However, the film offers a surprising twist at its end, one that differs from the original and has been well-received by viewers.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of following Telugu cinema closely, and I must say, it has never failed to impress me with its gripping and memorable suspense thrillers. Time and again, these films have demonstrated the incredible creativity and originality of Telugu filmmakers in this genre.

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2024-08-15 15:52