Best thriller Kannada movies in India
By the KyaDekhu team · Updated · Availability for India from JustWatch, ratings from IMDb
108 movies in India match this list, with an average IMDb rating of 6.6. Newest addition: Munduvareda Adhyaya, added to JioHotstar on 21 Oct. Ranked by vote-weighted IMDb rating and popularity; showing the top 30.
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1. Mahavatar Narsimha (2025)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 11m · U/A 13+ · Animation, Action · IMDb 8.5 (49.2K votes)
Visually stunningEdge-of-seatSeriousStraightforward
Tyrannical demon Hiranyakashyap challenges Vishnu, proclaiming himself a god. However, his son Prahlad remains devoted to Vishnu, who appears as Narsimha to defeat the demon.
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2. K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 48m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 8.2 (1.7L votes)
Visually stunningFast-pacedEdge-of-seatDark & gritty
The blood-soaked land of Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) has a new overlord now - Rocky, whose name strikes fear in the heart of his foes. His allies look up to Rocky as their Savior, the government sees him as a threat to law and order; enemies are clamoring for revenge and conspiring for his downfall. Bloodier battles and da
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3. Kantara (2022)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 27m · UA · Action, Adventure · IMDb 8.1 (1.2L votes)
TwistyVisually stunningEdge-of-seat
Shiva, a tribal vagabond lives with his mother in hamlet, stays away from the traditional Daivaradhane and Bhoota Kola legacy due to an unforgettable childhood incident. He is happy loafing around with his friends and doing petty jobs for his landlord. When Forest officer Murali enters the scene, it gives a fresh dimen
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4. K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 36m · UA · Action, Thriller · IMDb 8.1 (1.1L votes)
Visually stunningEdge-of-seatFast-pacedDark & gritty
A period drama set in the 1970s, KGF follows the story of a fierce rebel who rises against the brutal oppression in Kolar Gold Fields and becomes the symbol of hope to legions of downtrodden people.
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5. Kantara - A Legend: Chapter 1 (2025)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 45m · U/A 16+ · Action, Drama · IMDb 8.1 (59.9K votes)
Visually stunningCold & detachedDark & grittyEdge-of-seat
While exploring Kantara's mystical forest, Bangra's King Vijayendra dies during the Kadamba reign. Rajashekara seals their realm. Prince Kulashekara massacres to reopen it. Berme, seeking wealth, crosses the divide.
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6. 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?
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7. Avane Srimannarayana (2019)
Movie · Kannada · 3h 3m · UA · Fantasy, Action · IMDb 7.8 (9.6K votes)
Visually stunningEdge-of-seatTwistyFast-paced
In the pursuit of solving an ancient mystery of Amaravati, Narayana, a corrupt cop, must battle the dangerous clan of dacoits and it's fierce leader.
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8. Sapta Sagaradaache Ello - Side B (2023)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 26m · UA · Romance, Drama · IMDb 8.0 (6.1K votes)
Dark & gritty
Ten years after the events of Side A, Manu is released from prison into an unfamiliar world. Struggling to move past his guilt, he sets out to check on Priya from a distance while trying to rebuild his life, only to find himself drawn into new entanglements as he seeks closure and redemption.
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9. Bell Bottom (2019)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 20m · UA · Comedy, Thriller · IMDb 8.1 (3.3K votes)
FunnyTwisty
A fun ride to the 80s where a detective solves the mystery of serial police station robbery.
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10. Kavaludaari (2019)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 25m · UA · Thriller, Mystery · IMDb 7.9 (3.7K votes)
TwistyCold & detachedEdge-of-seat
The story follows two Bangalore cops as they investigate an old case. Anant Nag plays Muthanna, a retired inspector while Rishi is Shyam, a sub-inspector working in the Traffic Police. Their search leads them across trails that will put their wit, resolve and morals to the test.
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11. Kendasampige (2015)
Movie · Kannada · 1h 39m · UA · Romance, Thriller · IMDb 8.3 (2.2K votes)
Fast-pacedEdge-of-seat
When a love story goes awry, two young lovers are forced to take to the road with the police hot on their heels. They escape across Karnataka in a roller-coaster ride that is at once enthralling, exasperating and nail-biting.
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13. U Turn (2016)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 1m · UA · Mystery, Thriller · IMDb 7.4 (4.6K votes)
TwistyCold & detachedDark & grittyEdge-of-seat
A journalist who intents to write an article on traffic rule breakers gets dragged into a whirlpool of murder cases and deception.
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14. Vikrant Rona (2022)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 27m · UA · Thriller, Action · IMDb 6.9 (29.8K votes)
TwistyVisually stunningDark & grittyEdge-of-seat
Almost half a century ago, a remote village in the middle of a tropical rain forest starts witnessing a series of unexplainable events which they attribute to the supernatural. Vikrant Rona, An eccentric police officer, is assigned to solve the mystery. A mysterious game unfolds where everyone in the village is a pote
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15. Cyanide (2006)
Movie · Kannada · 1h 40m · A · Crime, Drama · IMDb 8.8 (911 votes)
MatureEdge-of-seatDark & grittyCold & detached
"Cyanide" is about the incidents that occurred in the peripheries of Bangalore after the assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi stepped into the city. The story revolves around a helpless couple who fall into the clutches of the gang and are taken hostage.
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16. Birbal Trilogy: Case 1 – Finding Vajramuni (2019)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 22m · U · Crime, Mystery · IMDb 7.7 (1.9K votes)
TwistyEdge-of-seatDark & gritty
A man wrongly accused of murder is helped by Advocate Mahesh Das, despite the increasing threats they face during the investigation.
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17. Gultoo (2018)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 27m · UA · Thriller, Crime · IMDb 7.8 (1.7K votes)
Cold & detachedTwistyEdge-of-seat
Struggling to find a foot in the start-up scene, two aspiring entrepreneurs are entangled in a vicious loop of investigative trials following an unprecedented crime.
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18. Brat (2025)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 35m · U/A 16+ · Action, Thriller · IMDb 7.5 (2.1K votes)
Edge-of-seat
A son’s rebellion against his father’s strict moral code leads to a tense adventure. Kristy challenges Constable Mahadevaiah’s unwavering honesty as he pursues his own path.
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20. Aa Karaala Ratri (2018)
Movie · Kannada · 1h 45m · Thriller · IMDb 7.9 (1.2K votes)
Cold & detachedDark & grittyEdge-of-seatTwisty
Muthanna and his family, who live in abject poverty, receive a prediction that says their fortune will change overnight. The same day, a mysterious man arrives and requests them to let him stay back.
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21. Drishya (2014)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 34m · U · Crime, Drama · IMDb 8.3 (922 votes)
TwistyEdge-of-seat
Rajendra is a family-oriented man and tries to keep them happy. However, when his family commits an accidental crime, he does everything to keep them out of harm's way.
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22. Kaatera (2023)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 57m · Action, Drama · IMDb 7.1 (3.8K votes)
TwistyFast-pacedVisually stunningDark & gritty
Set against the rustic backdrop of the 1970s, unfolds the tale of farmers confronting challenges that intricately shape the course of their lives.
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23. Operation Alamelamma (2017)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 18m · U · Thriller, Comedy · IMDb 7.8 (1.3K votes)
TwistyFamily-friendly
Purmy's life turns upside down when gets framed for kidnapping John, the schoolgoing son of a businessman, after he picks up an abandoned luggage, lying on the street. With the ongoing investigation, a number of twists and turns make the police suspect everyone, including their own kin.
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24. I Am God (2025)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 35m · Romance, Thriller · IMDb 7.7 (1.4K votes)
MatureDark & grittyEdge-of-seatSerious
An intense love story brews between Deva and Bindhu. On the other side, a masked man who calls himself GOD shakes the city with his brutal serial killings.
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25. Shakhahaari (2024)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 26m · Crime, Drama · IMDb 7.5 (1.6K votes)
Edge-of-seatDark & grittyMatureTwisty
When the lives of some innocent people start getting intertwined in unforeseen situations they find themselves trapped in a murder mystery. This mysterious butchery infolds in a vegetarian restaurant run by a virtuous Chef Subbanna.
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27. Rama Rama Re (2016)
Movie · Kannada · 1h 54m · Thriller, Comedy · IMDb 8.2 (781 votes)
Edge-of-seatCold & detachedDark & grittyMature
Story of a convict on death row, who escapes from prison and accidentally ends up with a veteran who is called upon by the authorities to teach the process of hanging a convict to the new staff.
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28. Shivaji Surathkal: The Case of Ranagiri Rahasya (2020)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 4m · UA · Crime, Thriller · IMDb 7.1 (2.1K votes)
TwistyEdge-of-seatCold & detached
Shivaji Surathkal, who is the Sherlock Holmes of the Karnataka Police Department, is handed over a high-profile case – the murder of the Home Minister's son. This brings him to an eerie resort in Ranagiri, near Madikeri, which seems to throw Shivaji off his game.
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29. ACT-1978 (2020)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 7m · UA · Drama · IMDb 7.7 (806 votes)
Edge-of-seatDark & grittyCold & detachedSerious
Geetha, a pregnant widow, goes to a government office as part of her long and continuous ordeal to get money from a government scheme that is hers. What seems to be a normal day of bureaucracy and corruption goes awry when she lands up with a bomb strapped to her stomach.
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30. Choo Mantar (2025)
Movie · Kannada · 2h 22m · Horror, Thriller · IMDb 7.0 (1.9K votes)
Cold & detachedDark & grittyEdge-of-seatSerious
Four friends decide to enter the morgan house looking for a secret treasure. The four discover that before independence the house belonged to a British employee named Morgan. What will happen next is not obvious.
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