Best dark & gritty movies on ZEE5 in India

By the KyaDekhu team · Updated 23 October 2026 · Availability for India from JustWatch, ratings from IMDb

376 movies on ZEE5 in India match this list, with an average IMDb rating of 6.1. Most are in Hindi (177), Tamil (78), Telugu (30). Newest addition: 1920 London, added to Apple TV on 21 Oct. Ranked by vote-weighted IMDb rating and popularity; showing the top 30.

1. The Kashmir Files (2022)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 50m · UA · History, Drama · IMDb 8.4 (5.8L votes)

TwistyDark & grittyMatureCold & detached

Based on a true tragedy, the emotionally triggering film sheds light on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus), a religious minority in the 1990s Kashmir valley, who were compelled to flee their homes by the Islamic militants.

ZEE5
2. Anniyan (2005)

Movie · Tamil · 3h 1m · U · Action, Drama · IMDb 8.4 (27.2K votes)

TwistyDark & grittyVisually stunningEdge-of-seat

Unable to tolerate society's injustices and devastated by rejection from the woman he loves, a meek lawyer develops a split personality: one side a vengeful vigilante killer punishing evildoers, the other a dashing playboy capable of winning her heart. Complications arise when the three sides begin to collide.

ZEE5
3. Vikram Vedha (2017)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 27m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 8.2 (56.4K votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seatVisually stunningFast-paced

A notorious gangster Vedha surrenders himself to encounter specialist Vikram whom he challenges every step of the way by narrating his life events in the form of riddles that needs to be solved in order to capture him.

JioHotstar ZEE5 · free with ads
4. Haider (2014)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 30m · UA · Crime, Drama · IMDb 8.0 (61.8K votes)

TwistyVisually stunningDark & grittyEdge-of-seat

A young man returns to Kashmir after his father's disappearance to confront his uncle - the man he suspects to have a role in his father's fate.

JioHotstar Prime Video ZEE5
5. Kaththi (2014)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 47m · U · Action, Drama · IMDb 8.1 (33.5K votes)

Edge-of-seatVisually stunningTwistyDark & gritty

Kathiresan aka Kaththi, a criminal, escapes from the Kolkata prison and comes to Chennai, where he comes across his doppelganger Jeevanandham, fighting for his life after being shot at by unknown men. Kathir decides to pass off as Jeeva and make away with a lump sum amount but once he realizes who Jeeva really is, Kath

ZEE5
6. Sairat (2016)

Movie · Marathi · 2h 50m · U · Drama, Romance · IMDb 8.3 (16.7K votes)

Dark & grittyEdge-of-seatMatureVisually stunning

Archi, a local politician’s daughter, and Parshya, a fisherman’s son, fall in love resulting in violence between the families due to the stringent casteism in the village.

ZEE5
7. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (2023)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 7m · U/A 16+ · Drama · IMDb 8.0 (31.5K votes)

Dark & grittyDialogue-drivenSerious

An ordinary lawyer is out to fight an extraordinary case! But can he win against a powerful godman accused of assaulting a minor and deliver justice to the victim?

ZEE5
8. Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016)

Movie · Tamil · 1h 46m · UA · Thriller, Action · IMDb 8.1 (19.4K votes)

TwistyCold & detachedEdge-of-seatDark & gritty

A former cop looks back on the case which left him disabled and forced him to quit the force.

JioHotstar ZEE5
9. Flee (2021)

Movie · Danish · 1h 29m · Documentary, Animation · IMDb 7.9 (21.4K votes)

TwistySlow-burnDark & grittyHeartwarming

Recounted mostly through animation to protect his identity, Amin looks back over his past as a child refugee from Afghanistan as he grapples with a secret he’s kept hidden for 20 years.

ZEE5
10. The Dissident (2020)

Movie · English · 1h 59m · Documentary · IMDb 7.8 (31.1K votes)

Dark & grittyCold & detachedDialogue-drivenSerious

When Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappears after entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, his fiancée and dissidents around the world are left to piece together the clues to a brutal murder and expose a global cover up perpetrated by the very country he loved.

ZEE5
11. Viduthalai: Part I (2023)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 26m · A · Action, Thriller · IMDb 8.1 (12.3K votes)

TwistyMatureVisually stunningEdge-of-seat

Kumaresan, a police constable, gets recruited for an operation implanted to capture Perumal Vaathiyar, who leads a separatist group dedicated to fighting against the authorities for committing atrocities against innocent village women in the name of police interrogations.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads ZEE5
12. Article 370 (2024)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 38m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 7.8 (29.1K votes)

Fast-pacedEdge-of-seatDark & grittyCold & detached

Ahead of a major constitutional decision which rendered the Article 370 of the Indian state ineffective, special agent Zooni Haksar is tasked with a secret mission to quell violence in the conflict-ridden region.

Netflix ZEE5
13. Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021)

Movie · Kannada · 2h 31m · A · Crime, Drama · IMDb 8.2 (9.6K votes)

MatureDark & grittyEdge-of-seatSerious

Shiva and Hari, two friends who are polar opposites in demeanour, are the terror in Mangaladevi. What happens when ego, ambition and jealousy creeps in between their strong friendship?

ZEE5 · free with ads
14. Hotel Mumbai (2019)

Movie · English · 2h 3m · Thriller, History · IMDb 7.6 (80.8K votes)

Visually stunningEdge-of-seatFast-pacedDark & gritty

Mumbai, India, November 26, 2008. While several terrorists spread hatred and death through the city, others attack the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Both hotel staff and guests risk their lives, making unthinkable sacrifices to protect themselves and keep everyone safe while help arrives.

ZEE5
15. Gangaajal (2003)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 37m · Drama, Crime · IMDb 7.8 (19.3K votes)

Dark & grittyEdge-of-seatCold & detached

An honest Superintendent of Police, IPS Amit Kumar, is assigned to a crime infested town to reduce its crime rates. There, he soon learns that cleaning up the town also means confronting the corruption among police and politicians.

ZEE5 · free with ads
16. Raanjhanaa (2013)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 20m · U · Drama, Romance · IMDb 7.6 (38.7K votes)

TwistyDark & gritty

A small-town boy needs to break through the class divide to gain acceptance from his childhood sweetheart who is in love with big city ideals.

Apple TV ZEE5
17. Mukkabaaz (2018)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 25m · UA · Drama · IMDb 8.0 (9.7K votes)

Dark & gritty

A low caste boxer, Shravan, trains at a gym controlled by a local Don, Mishra. Shravan falls for Mishra's niece, Sunaina. Mishra does not approve of this match. Shravan strives to win Sunaina's hand in marriage and become a successful boxer while trying to avoid retaliation from Mishra.

Apple TV ZEE5
18. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 56m · UA · History, Drama · IMDb 7.7 (18.4K votes)

StraightforwardVisually stunningDark & grittySerious

From his years as a student in England to his return to India and his involvement in the Indian independence struggle, the journey of freedom fighter and reformer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, better known as Veer Savarkar.

ZEE5 · free with ads
19. Mersal (2017)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 41m · UA · Thriller, Action · IMDb 7.5 (42.8K votes)

TwistyVisually stunningFast-pacedEdge-of-seat

A few individuals in the medical profession are murdered or kidnapped, and the cop investigating the case suspects a doctor and arrests him. But is he the one who is behind these crimes? And why are they being committed?

JioHotstar ZEE5 · free with ads
20. Sivaji: The Boss (2007)

Movie · Tamil · 3h 9m · U · Action, Drama · IMDb 7.6 (24.4K votes)

Visually stunningDark & gritty

A wealthy engineer arrives in India with the mission of serving the nation and investing in the country's welfare but is met with strong opposition from corrupt officials and politicians. After being faced with insurmountable hardships, he decides to take drastic measures.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
21. Master (2021)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 59m · UA · Action, Drama · IMDb 7.4 (92.0K votes)

Visually stunningDark & grittyEdge-of-seatMature

An alcoholic professor is sent to a juvenile school, where he clashes with a gangster, who uses the children of the school for criminal activities.

Prime Video ZEE5
22. Ghajini (2008)

Movie · Hindi · 3h 6m · UA · Action, Romance · IMDb 7.4 (73.0K votes)

TwistyFast-pacedEdge-of-seatVisually stunning

A man suffering from anterograde amnesia as a result of a violent attack in the past sets out to avenge his girlfriend's death with the aid of photographs, notes and tattoos all over his body.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
23. Madaari (2016)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 14m · UA · Thriller, Drama · IMDb 7.6 (16.5K votes)

Edge-of-seatDark & grittyCold & detached

A common man kidnaps the son of the Home Minister of India to get answers about the loss of his own son, caused by the illegal acts committed by corrupt government officials.

MX Player · free with ads Prime Video · free with ads ZEE5
24. Nerkonda Paarvai (2019)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 38m · UA · Drama, Action · IMDb 7.7 (11.5K votes)

Dark & grittyMatureEdge-of-seat

When three young women are harassed and implicated in a crime they didn't commit, a bipolar lawyer sets out to help them clear their names and prove it to everyone that a woman's consent matters.

ZEE5
25. Leader (2010)

Movie · Telugu · 2h 52m · Drama, Romance · IMDb 8.0 (6.2K votes)

Dark & gritty

Upon the death of his father, Arjun Prasad campaigns to become the CM of Andhra. He hopes to eradicate corruption from Indian Politics.

ZEE5 · free with ads
26. Viduthalai: Part II (2024)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 52m · A · Action, Thriller · IMDb 7.5 (18.5K votes)

MatureEdge-of-seatDark & grittyTwisty

Troubles worsen for Kumaresan after the capture of Perumal, and soon he is confronted with having to make a choice between performing his duties as a police constable, or taking a stand for what is right.

Prime Video ZEE5
27. Badlapur (2015)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 14m · A · Crime, Drama · IMDb 7.4 (29.3K votes)

MatureCold & detachedTwistyDark & gritty

After his wife and son are killed, a young man finds out the man behind the murder and fights against him, along committing some big mistakes.

ZEE5
28. Chup (2022)

Movie · Hindi · 2h 10m · A · Crime, Thriller · IMDb 7.4 (28.0K votes)

MatureDark & grittyTwistyCold & detached

A series of bizarre and disturbing murders rock the city of Mumbai. Film critics are being killed week after week with the release of every new film. Arvind Mathur, Head of Crime Branch Mumbai, is tasked with solving the case. With the help of Zenobia, a criminal psychologist, he tries to understand the mind of the kil

ZEE5
29. I (2015)

Movie · Tamil · 2h 50m · UA · Thriller, Action · IMDb 7.4 (26.1K votes)

TwistyEdge-of-seatDark & gritty

A deformed hunchback kidnaps a bride and holds her hostage while his connection to her and his targets is revealed in a series of flashbacks that unfold as he starts seeking revenge.

Prime Video ZEE5 · free with ads
30. Aligarh (2016)

Movie · Hindi · 1h 54m · Drama, History · IMDb 7.7 (8.8K votes)

Dark & grittyMatureSeriousDialogue-driven

A sympathetic journalist covers the true story of Ramchandra Siras, an esteemed linguistic professor at Aligarh University who was suspended on charges of homosexuality.

ZEE5 · free with ads