Top 6 Malayalam Detective Thrillers You Should Watch

It is one of the best detective movies ever made in Malayalam till now. The crime drama,  introduced Sethurama Iyer, is one of the most popular characters in Malayalam cinema, protrayed by Megastar Mammootty. The film is the first edition of CBI series directed by K Madhu. Released in in 1988 and it turned out to be one of the biggest grossers of that year. The second edition of the film 'Jagratha' released in 1989. The third and fourth edition 'Sethurama Iyer CBI', 'Nerariyan CBI' were released in the years 2004 and 2005 respectively. The movie franchise's latest installment CBI 5: The Brain released in theaters in 2022.

Actor Suresh Gopi who played double roles in the film and the story follows the investigation officer character Shyam Prasad who is on a hunt to catch the culprit behind the murder of Reshmi, wife of a young political leader named Mohan Kumar. 'Detective' marked the debut movie of film maker Jeethu Jospeh. Released in 2007, the film received mixed responses from audience and critics alike.

Another  notable example is "Mumbai Police," directed by Rosshan Andrrews. The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. The movie follows the story of Antony Moses, a police officer played by Prithviraj, who loses his memory after a serious accident. As he tries to piece together the events leading to the accident, he discovers shocking revelations about his own past and a murder case he was investigating. The film is praised for its suspenseful narrative and Prithviraj's compelling performance.

Sharafuddin embarks on an investigation into the demise of Nadiya that occurs on a train, accompanied by a journalist and a dancer. The unraveling mystery exposes the intricacies of the night when Nadiya met her tragic end. Directed by K. Madhu, the film stars Suresh Gopi and Kavya Madhavan in pivotal roles.

The story follows a criminal defense attorney who, although helping to clear a number of seasoned offenders, turns to vigilantism in an effort to exact revenge later. Starring Suresh Gopi in a pivotal role, the movie captivates audiences with its suspenseful narrative and legal thriller elements. The movie, helmed by director Shaji Kalias and released in theaters in 2006.

It narrates the story of a forensic officer and a police officer who join forces to investigate a series of brutal murders. Forensic marked the directorial debut of screenwriters Akhil Paul and Anas Khan,  featuring Tovino Thomas and Mamta Mohandas in lead roles.