India is known for its colourful, joyful and popular jolly good films, also holds some of the horrifying and chilling crimes that are documented in history. Netflix has a huge section of crime documentaries from around the world that are both unbelievable and atrociously good plots for dramatic documentaries. Indian crime documentaries have attracted universal audiences especially after the booming of OTT platforms, with many Youtubers even having their own channels tracking such content. Here are some of the most thrilling Indian Crime Documentaries from Netflix’s wide collection.
Curry and Cyanide
A case that startled the whole nation and plastered in all the news networks, from the far south state of India. Kerala’s Koodathayi was swarming with the media as the serial killing happened over a span of a decade by Jolly Joseph. The ambitious and cunning daughter – in law of a well respected and sophisticated family, took on the matters of eliminating six members for selfish reasons by mixing Cyanide in the food.
A small town in Kerala is shaken by a series of murders and all evidence points to Jolly Joseph. Did the chatty, friendly, much loved Jolly really play a game of secrets, lies and poison?
— Netflix India South (@Netflix_INSouth) December 13, 2023
Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case, streaming from 22nd Dec, only on Netflix in… pic.twitter.com/sPtFE4z1aB
Starting from 2002, Jolly Joseph began her manipulation and conceiving lies that lead up to a series of planned murders. This Netflix documentary took the internet by storm after the release, making a compelling watch for thrill seekers.
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
House of Secrets
11 family members dead on the same day, is it suicide? Murder? Some sort of ritual gone wrong? The case is cold and unsolved till date. House of Secrets follows the story of Delhi’s Chundawat household deaths that still haunts people with several spots leaving the unfortunate incident including the children in the family. This Burari case death is assumed to be a ritualistic mass sacrifice in order to be closer to the family’s late patriarch.
One family, 3 generations, and the complex realities behind their shocking deaths. House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, now streaming in Tamil and Telugu, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/Gv04eR4zQw
— Netflix India South (@Netflix_INSouth) October 8, 2021
The documentary was released in 2021 with several crime story narrators and youtubers covering the story. The limited Netflix documentary series dives deep into the psychological and familial aspects of the family, discussing the rapport between the brothers and sisters, making it one of the most watched and chilling crime documentaries.
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes (3 episodes)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Murder in a courtroom (Indian Predator Collection)
A remarkable day in Indian history of law where the public took the law into their hands and delivered the punishment themselves, once and for all. Maharashtra’s Nagpur district turned red with around 40 women flooding the gates of district court, with the intention of killing Bharat Kalicharan Yadav (Akku Yadav).
The limited Netflix documentary series goes in detail about the intention behind such a public outrage, that too inside a courtroom. The perpetrator is accused of sexual abuse of over 40 women in the village, leading to the point of his death.
Duration: 2 hours 48 minutes (3 episodes)
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
The Amorous couple Naga Chaitanya & Sobhita’s Romantic Tale arriving on Netflix?The diary of a serial killer
The notorious serial killer who went above and beyond, taking the place of the few of most chilling killers in Indian crime history. Raja Kolander’s killing spree starting from the 2000s not only led to the deaths of the victims but also a unique case of the killer’s cannibalistic behaviour, stunning the public.
The sudden disappearance of Dhirendra Singh, a journalist, started the hunt for the killer who was later found to be associated with more than 15 cases, confirmed by his journal after years. This Netflix documentary also stands alone for the inclusion of a sit down interview with the actual killer.
Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes (3 episodes)
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
The Butcher of Delhi
Following the infamous Zodiac Killer, the Indian version of the same fortunately was caught after 3 killings. Delhi in the early 2000 was high on alert due to the eerie butchering of a killer, who left the bodies of his victims before the Tihar jail, high security prison with mocking notes, pulling the threads of the police officers to find him.
The 3 episode Netflix limited series is also under the Indian Predator list of crime documentaries which was released in 2022, following the investigation, arrest and remand of Chandrakant Jha.
Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
