Mumbai, May 26 - Director Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge have changed the game for Indian cinema in this genre. Grounded espionage and raw action are the core of the blockbuster franchise. Ranveer Singh's gritty performance as deep-cover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi set a new gold standard for realistic Indian spy thrillers.

If you love complex, chapter-based plots, tense standoffs, and nation-first narratives, these five Indian spy masterpieces will keep you on the edge of your seat. While Dhurandhar has definitely set the bar super high, these five films have been the gold standard in this genre.

Baby (2015)

Where to Watch - JioHotstar, YouTube (rent)

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, Baby is about an elite, unnamed Indian counter-intelligence team that sets out on a ticking-clock mission to track down a terrorist group and eliminate dangerous sleeper cells. Starring Akshay Kumar as lead agent Ajay Singh Rajput, alongside Rana Daggubati and Taapsee Pannu, the film opts for hyper-realistic action, gritty international locations, and a raw, professional look at the gruelling reality of spy work.

Madras Cafe (2013)

Where to Watch - Prime Video, YouTube (rent), Apple TV

This political thriller is directed by Shoojit Sircar and features John Abraham as the lead agent and Nargis Fakhri as an international journalist. In the movie, an Indian army special forces officer is recruited by the intelligence wing to infiltrate a war-torn island and break up a powerful rebel force. It feels almost like a documentary, exploring the dark, heavy realities of real-world spy craft.

D-Day (2013)

Where to Watch - Prime Video, MX Player, YouTube

Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film focuses on a highly secret, four-member R&AW team that infiltrates Pakistan to capture and bring back "Goldman," India's most wanted criminal mastermind. The film boasts a powerhouse cast including Arjun Rampal (who also stars in Dhurandhar), Rishi Kapoor, Irfan Khan, and Huma Qureshi.

Vishwaroopam (2013)

Where to Watch - JioHotstar

A seemingly effeminate Kathak dance teacher in New York is hunted by the FBI, only to reveal he is a highly lethal, top-tier Indian intelligence agent tracking a global terror network. Written, directed, and led by cinema legend Kamal Haasan, the movie also stars Rahul Bose and Pooja Kumar. It mirrors Dhurandhar's massive global scope, explosive hand-to-hand combat choreography, and clever use of shifting secret identities to outsmart dangerous adversaries.

Raazi (2018)

Where to Watch - Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV

On the eve of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, a young, untrained Kashmiri girl is married into a high-ranking Pakistani military family to serve as a deep-cover spy. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this critically acclaimed film stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. The film explores the heavy emotional weight of patriotism and the terrifying fear of operating behind enemy lines.