Raazi: The Spy Who Married the Enemy
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal
- Director: Meghna Gulzar
- Release Date: May 11, 2018
- Box Office Collection: ₹197 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline –
Based in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Raazi is the story of Sehmat, a young Indian woman who marries a Pakistani army officer to spy for RAW. Her path pushes the boundaries of loyalty, love, and sacrifice, and her tale becomes one of the most emotionally compelling spy stories in Indian films.
Why it stands out :
Alia Bhatt’s commanding performance gives life to a multifaceted, patriotic role. The movie weaves raw emotion with real-world intrigue, staying realistic without the usual action-movie glitz. Director Meghna Gulzar keeps the tension tight while making humanity out of the price of war and spying, leaving viewers both touched and shaken.
2. Ek Tha Tiger: The Spy Who Loved Her
- IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
- Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
- Director: Kabir Khan
- Release Date: 15 August, 2012
- Box Office Collection: ₹320 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
RAW agent Tiger is on a mission to follow a scientist but finds himself in love with ISI agent Zoya. Caught between love and duty, Tiger’s action of going rogue shakes the world of espionage. This high-octane romantic thriller delves into forbidden love in a world that is all about secrets and lies.
Why it stands out:
The chemistry between Salman and Katrina provides emotional depth to this slick action thriller. Filled with exotic locales, high-octane chases, and nail-biting twists, Ek Tha Tiger launched Bollywood’s modern spy franchise era, lending glamour to espionage while maintaining patriotism and human emotion.
3. Baby: India’s Silent Strike Force
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Anupam Kher
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Release Date: January 23, 2015
- Box Office Collection: ₹142 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
When a secret anti-terror operation discovers a massive conspiracy against India, Agent Ajay spearheads audacious global missions to apprehend sleeper cells. The movie is a ticking time bomb, replete with immediate choices, close calls, and brutal confrontations to safeguard a nation perpetually under unseen danger.
Why it stands out:
Neeraj Pandey’s right-on-the-money direction guarantees no dull moments. Akshay Kumar is the no-nonsense spy to the letter. Baby eschews unnecessary drama and stresses precision and realism. It’s an intellectual man’s action movie, based on real threats and India’s unseen warriors we never get to hear about.
4. Madras Cafe: India’s Forgotten War Room
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Cast: John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri
- Director: Shoojit Sircar
- Release Date: August 23, 2013
- Box Office Collection: ₹64 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
RAW operative Vikram is dispatched to Sri Lanka in the midst of the civil war to get to the bottom of a conspiracy. What he discovers is one of India’s most sinister political tragedies. Madras Cafe explores the world of secret operations, local politics, and gray areas, presenting a thriller immersed in real-world tension.
Why it stands out:
John Abraham gives the best performance of his career in this tense political spy. The movie steers clear of melodrama and employs a documentary-like tone that renders the plot even more chilling. Shoojit Sircar’s narrative turns it into one of Bollywood’s most daring political spy movies of all time.
5. War: When Spies Turn Rogue
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Vaani Kapoor
- Director: Siddharth Anand
- Release Date: October 2, 2019
- Box Office Collection: ₹475 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
Khalid is assigned the mission to track down Kabir, his guru and India’s best spy, who has turned rogue. What follows is a stylish, globe-spanning saga of betrayal, pulse-pounding stunts, and eye-popping surprises that challenge loyalty and truth in the shadowy world of espionage.
Why it stands out:
Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff set the stage ablaze with gravity-defying action and fashionable showdowns. War is a visual treat with sleek choreography and international appeal. It’s Bollywood’s version of Mission Impossible, made for adrenaline junkies who enjoy plot twists as much as punches.
6. Naam Shabana: The Making of a Spy
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Manoj Bajpayee, Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Director: Shivam Nair
- Release Date: March 31, 2017
- Box Office Collection: ₹56 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
Prior to the events in Baby, Shabana, a college girl with a traumatic background, is covertly recruited by RAW. Her journey from victim to a strategic agent qualifies Naam Shabana as a rare origin tale of Bollywood espionage, headed comprehensively by a woman on a mission of justice.
Why it stands out:
Taapsee Pannu takes over the screen with agility and complexity. The film melds martial arts, gritty history, and emotional maturity. It’s not only a spy thriller—it’s a coming-of-age film wrapped in national responsibility and female empowerment. A good prequel that holds up on its own.
7. Agent Vinod: The Suave Spy Saga
- IMDb Rating: 5.2/10
- Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan
- Director: Sriram Raghavan
- Release Date: March 23, 2012
- Box Office Collection: ₹61 crore (Worldwide)
Storyline:
A high-stakes nuclear plot brings Agent Vinod from the Middle East to Europe as he peels off layers of deception. Sleek, smooth, and a little unpredictable, the film tracks contemporary terrorism from the eyes of a stylish spy where each clue draws peril to one’s doorstep.
why it stands out :
Saif Ali Khan’s suave acting gives the Indian spy thriller its James Bond-like make-over. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Agent Vinod is full of twists, moody visuals, and lip-smacking music. It might be underappreciated, but its international scope and cinematic ambition render it unforgettable.
Which one is your favourite, tell us in comments
