Thrillers are a popular genre because they appeal to our natural desire for suspense and excitement. The intense emotions they elicit, such as fear, anxiety, and excitement, create a thrilling experience that holds audiences” attention. The art of suspense and tension building keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating each plot twist and turn. Furthermore, the intellectual stimulation provided by intricate mysteries tests the minds of the audience, making the viewing experience engaging and satisfying. Thrillers also provide escapism by transporting viewers to thrilling and suspenseful worlds outside of their everyday lives.
These films” relatable or well-developed characters allow the audience to emotionally connect with and invest in their journeys. Furthermore, the universal themes of danger, survival, and human emotions make thrillers appealing to a wide range of audiences around the world. The shared experience of suspenseful moments, whether in theatres or virtual watch parties, fosters a sense of social interaction and community. Terrorists are a beloved and enduring genre that captivates people of all ages and backgrounds due to their timeless appeal and variety of subgenres.
Mohra (1994)
Kaun? (1999)
Kaun is a suspense drama that aims to frighten the audience. It”s about a scared girl (Urmila Matondkar) who is alone in her house on a stormy, rainy evening. The news on television announces that a psychopathic killer is on the loose, which terrifies her even more. The doorbell suddenly rings, and a man begs her to let him in, asking for someone. She flatly refuses. He persists, and she eventually lets him in. His actions lead her to believe that he is the murderer. A second intruder enters the home. The two men accuse one another of being the murderer.
Khiladi (1992)
Four friends, Sheetal, Boney, Neelam Chaudhary, and Raj Malhotra, decide to play a joke on Sheetal”s father Kailash Nath. They call Kailash and inform him that his daughter has been taken and that they need 200,000 rupees as ransom. Up until Nath”s servant informs the police, which are led by Raj”s older brother Suresh Malhotra, everything appears to be going according to plan. They successfully evade the police, only to return to discover Sheetal dead from a stabbing with all the signs pointing to them.
Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)
Sahil Sinha (Bobby Deol) adores Isha (Kajol) and wishes to marry her. His tyrannical father, Jaisingh (Raj Babbar), however, insists on marrying the girl he has hand-picked. Jaisingh is found dead after a heated argument between them. Sahil, who is considered the prime suspect, is arrested and charged with murder, and he is sentenced to life in prison. Sahil manages to escape from prison and goes in search of the true killer, never ceasing to proclaim his innocence.
Sarfarosh (1999)
Ajay Rathod is a no-nonsense Mumbai Crime Branch officer. His elder brother was killed by terrorists a long time ago, prompting him to discontinue his medical studies and join the Indian Police Service. Gulfam Hassan, a Pakistan-based ghazal singer, is a big fan of his. They meet for the first time at one of Hassan”s concerts and become fast friends. Meanwhile, Ajay”s investigation into cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan takes him to Rajasthan and reveals an unsettling truth about someone close to his heart.
Baazigar (1993)
When Vishwanath Sharma (Anant Mahadevan) loses his business to scheming employee Madan Chopra (Dalip Tahil), Sharma”s son, Ajay (Shah Rukh Khan), swears revenge. While secretly dating Madan”s daughter, Seema (Shilpa Shetty), Ajay disguises himself as businessman Vicky Malhotra and introduces himself to her father and sister, Priya (Kajol), charming them both. Ajay plans to marry into Madan”s family after murdering Seema and making it appear as if she committed suicide.
Sangharsh (1999)
CBI officer Reet Oberoi sought help from a prison convict, Professor Aman Varma, to bring religious fanatic Lajja Shankar Pandey to justice. Pandey is responsible for kidnapping and sacrificing children. However, Aman refuses to cooperate with Reet and instead scuffs her, causing her serious problems not only with the police but also with some public figures and the parents of the children affected by Pandey”s behaviour. Later, the duo unite to defeat evil.
Darr (1993)
Sunil (Sunny Deol), a successful young navy man who has the approval of Kiran”s family, is engaged to Kiran Awasthi (Juhi Chawla). However, someone does not approve of the couple”s plans and begins making threatening phone calls to their home. The culprit is revealed to be Kiran”s scorned, obsessed lover, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), who goes too far in his jealousy, even attempting to murder Sunil. Kiran and Sunil flee to Switzerland, but Rahul tracks them down and heads West to confront them.
Gumraah (1993)
Roshni Chadha is apprehended by police in Hong Kong on drug smuggling charges. When questioned, she claims she was framed by Rahul Malhotra. A subsequent investigation reveals that Roshni was not with a man, and she is thus sentenced to death. Roshni”s admirer, Jagan Nath, and her advocate father, Prakash, come to her aid and arrange to prove her innocence in court, albeit unsuccessfully. This prompts Jagan Nath to take action to assist Roshni in escaping from jail.