Why We Love True-Crime Dramas in Hindi OTT
True-crime stories aren’t just gripping—they’re hauntingly real. And when those stories get the full OTT treatment with sharp direction, powerful performances, and spine-tingling suspense? We’re all in. Whether you’re watching alone under a blanket or bingeing with friends, these series leave you questioning, shocked, and wanting more. They pull us deep into India’s underbelly—murky financial scams, brutal crimes, real police chases—and remind us that truth really is stranger than fiction.
How We Picked These Series
Let’s be honest—there are tons of crime shows out there. But this list? It’s handpicked with care. We’ve chosen:
- Series based on actual events that shook the nation
- Shows that made critics clap and audiences binge
- Available on Indian OTTs (Netflix, Prime Video, SonyLIV, etc.)
- Highlighted trigger warnings—because context matters
- Updated with 2025’s newest entries that deserve a spot
1. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (SonyLIV)
Real Crime: The 1992 Indian stock market scam that rewrote financial history
Why Watch: It’s got everything—power, greed, politics, and Pratik Gandhi in a career-defining role. Add that retro Bombay vibe and you’re sold.
Trigger Warnings: Financial fraud, suicide references
Watch On: SonyLIV
2. Delhi Crime (Netflix)
Real Crime: Season 1 dives into the horrifying 2012 Delhi gang rape case; Season 2 brings the Kachcha-Baniyan gang to light
Why Watch: Gritty, raw, and deeply respectful to victims and investigators alike. Shefali Shah’s portrayal of DCP Vartika is goosebumps-inducing.
Trigger Warnings: Sexual violence, police brutality
Watch On: Netflix
3. Mumbai Diaries 26/11 (Amazon Prime Video)
Real Crime: The 26/11 attacks told from the perspective of hospital staff
Why Watch: Not your average terror tale—this one’s intimate, human, and oh-so-tense. The chaos feels real, and the emotions hit hard.
Trigger Warnings: Gun violence, explosions, graphic injuries
Watch On: Amazon Prime Video
4. Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (Netflix)
Real Crime: Based on IPS officer Amit Lodha’s real-life manhunt for a gangster
Why Watch: It’s a cat-and-mouse thriller soaked in Bihar’s lawless heartland. Crime, politics, and morality—all rolled into one.
Trigger Warnings: Gun violence, torture, systemic corruption
Watch On: Netflix
5. Scam 2003: The Telgi Story (SonyLIV)
Real Crime: The mind-boggling Rs. 30,000 crore stamp paper scam
Why Watch: From zero to scam kingpin—Telgi’s story is jaw-dropping. It’s the sequel you didn’t know you needed after Scam 1992.
Trigger Warnings: Financial fraud, bribery
Watch On: SonyLIV
6. Black Warrant (Netflix)
Real Crime: Based on memoirs from Tihar Jail’s senior official Sunil Gupta
Why Watch: Ever wondered what really goes on behind prison walls? This series doesn’t hold back—raw, gripping, and uncomfortably real.
Trigger Warnings: Abuse, prison violence, psychological trauma
Watch On: Netflix
7. The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case (SonyLIV)
Real Crime: The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and the massive manhunt that followed
Why Watch: A political thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Sensitive, detailed, and a hard look into a turning point in Indian history.
Trigger Warnings: Political violence, explosions
Watch On: SonyLIV
8. Kankhajura (SonyLIV)
Real Crime: Indian spin on Israel’s “Magpie” with a crime family twist in Bihar
Why Watch: It’s dark, psychological, and all about secrets unraveling in the worst way. The ending? You won’t see it coming.
Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, betrayal, emotional trauma
Watch On: SonyLIV
9. Dahaad (Amazon Prime Video)
Real Crime: Inspired by Cyanide Mohan, a serial killer who targeted vulnerable women
Why Watch: Not your typical whodunit. Dahaad brings slow-burn intensity with a strong feminist lens and a chilling mystery.
Trigger Warnings: Gender violence, serial killings
Watch On: Amazon Prime Video
10. Jehanabad – Of Love & War (SonyLIV)
Real Crime: Naxal jailbreak in Bihar in 2005 mixed with a Romeo-Juliet twist
Why Watch: It’s love in the time of revolution. Gritty, emotional, and disturbingly timely.
Trigger Warnings: Political uprising, gun violence
Watch On: SonyLIV
Where to Watch in India
| Web Series | OTT Platform |
|---|---|
| Scam 1992 | SonyLIV |
| Delhi Crime | Netflix |
| Mumbai Diaries 26/11 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Khakee: The Bihar Chapter | Netflix |
| Scam 2003 | SonyLIV |
| Black Warrant | Netflix |
| The Hunt | SonyLIV |
| Kankhajura | SonyLIV |
| Dahaad | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jehanabad | SonyLIV |
Binge-Watching Tips
- Want to ease into true-crime? Start with Scam 1992—fast-paced and lighter.
- Black Warrant and The Hunt are emotionally intense—watch when you’re not already stressed.
- Subtitles aren’t just for non-Hindi speakers—they help with dialect-heavy shows.
Quick Trigger Guide
| Series | Trigger Warnings |
| Delhi Crime | Sexual violence, disturbing scenes |
| Scam 1992 | Financial crimes, mental trauma references |
| Black Warrant | Prison abuse, systemic violence |
| Dahaad | Gender violence, murders |
| The Hunt | Political assassination, conspiracy |
FAQs Answered (Because You’re Definitely Wondering)
Q1: Are these shows fictionalized?
Mostly dramatized, but grounded in real events, case files, and memoirs.
Q2: Which show bagged global recognition?
Delhi Crime won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama.
Q3: Can I watch these with family?
Some are okay, but many have violence or disturbing content. Viewer discretion advised.
Q4: Are they all available in India?
Yup—everything listed is streaming on major OTT platforms here.
