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Crime thrillers: India's unending obsession explained
30 Jan
Summary
- Crime and thrillers are considered a comfort genre like dal-chawal.
- Engaging characters and gripping plots ensure audience interest.
- OTT platforms enhance crime thrillers with episodic storytelling.

Crime and thriller genres hold a special place in the Indian entertainment landscape, often described as a comfort food akin to 'dal-chawal.' Producer Vikram Malhotra highlighted that the genre's success hinges on its inherent adaptability.
He emphasized that engaging characters and a compelling plot are crucial for keeping audiences hooked, stressing the importance of maintaining low predictability. Malhotra noted that the digital streaming format, particularly OTT platforms, has significantly boosted the genre's popularity.
This format is ideally suited for episodic storytelling, allowing for effective use of cliffhangers, backtracking to reveal plot twists, and the development of layered character arcs. Despite discussions about market saturation, Malhotra remains confident in the continued demand for crime thrillers.
His latest project, 'Daldal,' aims to explore new emotional territories within crime storytelling, suggesting that the genre still offers vast, untapped narrative potential.