Movies like Indian: 20 to watch next
If you loved Indian (1996) — a drama, action and thriller film directed by Shankar — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of Indian most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like patriotism, freedom fighter and vigilante. 14 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch Indian →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
Asuran 2019★ 7.6
Shares: Action, Drama
A family from the underprivileged class is on the run after the teenaged son kills a rich man from the upper caste. Can the pacifist father be able to save his hot-blooded son?
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Goldmines Play Amazon Channel
- 2
Kodi 2016★ 6.1
Shares: Action, Drama, Thriller
A young politician finds himself in a position where he has to contest against his girlfriend, who is ambitious. Circumstances force his look-alike twin to also get involved in this political battle.
Stream in India on Sun Nxt
- 3
Kaala 2018★ 6.4
Shares: Action, Drama
Karikaalan consistently fights to keep the people of Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, safe from the clutches of mighty politicians and the land mafia don, Hari Dhadha.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, VI movies and tv
- 4
Theri 2016★ 6.8
Shares: Action, Thriller
When an honest cop, Vijay Kumar's family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bring his daughter up in a serene atmosphere. But some freak events end up compromising his identity and what he does to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family unfurls as Theri.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Sun Nxt, VI movies and tv
- 5
Soorarai Pottru 2020★ 7.8
Shares: Drama, Action
Nedumaaran Rajangam "Maara" sets out to make the common man fly and in the process takes on the world's most capital intensive industry and several enemies who stand in his way.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MX Player
- 6
Darbar 2020★ 5.9
Shares: Action, Drama, Thriller
Aaditya, the commissioner of Mumbai Police, sets out to catch Ajay, a drug peddler. However, he uncovers a deeper controversy linked to an international drug lord and must mete out justice.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, MX Player
- 7
Padayappa 1999★ 7.4
Shares: Drama, Action
Padayappa, a mechanical engineer whose father gives up his property to his foster brother, and then dies of shock soon after. Neelambari initially loves Padayappa, but plans to humiliate him after his family humiliates her father. The rest of the plot deals with Padayappa overcoming all the obstacles placed by Neelambari.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
The Blue Lamp 1950★ 6.6
Shares: Thriller, Action
P.C. George Dixon is a long-serving traditional copper who is due to retire shortly. He takes a new recruit under his aegis and introduces him to the easy-going night beat. Dixon is a classic ordinary hero but also anachronistic, unprepared and unable to answer the violence of the 1950s.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
Each Dawn I Die 1939★ 6.9
Shares: Drama, Thriller
A corrupt D.A. with governatorial ambitions is annoyed by an investigative reporter's criticism of his criminal activities and decides to frame the reporter for manslaughter in order to silence him.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 10
Birth of the Dragon 2017★ 5.8
Shares: Action, Drama
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown, this cross-cultural biopic chronicles Bruce Lee’s emergence as a martial-arts superstar after his legendary secret showdown with fellow martial artist Wong Jack Man.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, JioHotstar
- 11
Arrambam 2013★ 6.2
Shares: Action, Thriller, Drama
A former anti-terrorism officer teams up with a hacker and his girlfriend to execute a string of strategic attacks. As the authorities race to stop them, their true motive slowly unravels—a dangerous mission to uncover a high-level conspiracy involving government corruption and betrayal.
Stream in India on Sonyliv Amazon Channel
- 12
Oscar Shaw 2026★ 6.6
Shares: Action, Thriller
After retiring from the police force, a relentless detective haunted by the tragic loss of his closest friend sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance, seeking redemption and fighting to restore justice to the streets he once swore to protect.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 13
Sleeping Dogs 1978★ 5.8
Shares: Action, Drama, Thriller
Recluse Smith is drawn into a revolutionary struggle between guerrillas and right-wingers in New Zealand. Implicated in a murder and framed as a revolutionary conspirator, Smith tries to maintain an attitude of non-violence while caught between warring factions.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
Sivaji: The Boss 2007★ 7.1
Shares: Action, Drama
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.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, ManoramaMax, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel
- 15
Sarpatta Parambarai 2021★ 7.8
Shares: Action, Drama
When Sarpatta Parambarai is challenged to a do-or-die match, Kabilan, a young labourer, must choose whether to put on the gloves himself and lead his clan to victory, or be dissuaded by his disapproving mother and dangerous politics.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, ManoramaMax, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel
- 16
Kavan 2017★ 7.1
Shares: Thriller, Drama
A budding journalist passionate about ethical, noble, hard-hitting journalism understands the more flourishing ghetto of sensationalism & news fabrication that the Entertainment TV Channel he belongs to, thrives on. When caught in a dilemma of whether to hold for a while or rise in protest, a situation forces him to make a decision that puts him out of work but… there begins his work.
Stream in India on Zee5, Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
- 17
Maanagaram 2017★ 7.4
Shares: Thriller, Action
Upon moving to Chennai, four lives get intertwined as they strive to achieve success in the city. However, when a vicious gangster threatens them, the group must work together to defeat him.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 18
Aadukalam 2011★ 7.7
Shares: Action, Drama, Thriller
Pettaikaaran is famous in his town for an impeccable track record of successes in rooster fights. When one of his aides, Karuppu, goes against his word in a fight, it leads to an enmity between them.
Stream in India on Sun Nxt
- 19
Indemnity 2022★ 6.6
Shares: Action, Thriller
An ex-fireman with PTSD goes on the run when accused of a crime he doesn't even remember committing, leading him down a rabbit hole of conspiracy to the highest degree.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Thalapathi 1991★ 8.0
Shares: Action, Drama
Surya, a courageous man who was raised in the slums, fights for the rights of the poor and befriends Deva, who hires him as his commander and changes his life completely.
Stream in India on ManoramaMax, Eros Now Select Apple TV channel, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel