Janhvi Kapoor’s highly anticipated movie Ulajh is finally premiering in theaters on August 2, 2024. It is one of the latest additions to a small pool of female-centric Indian spy movies, starting from Vidya Balan’s Kahaani to Alia Bhatt’s Raazi.
In this engaging spy thriller, Kapoor stars as Suhana Bhatia, a young Deputy High Commissioner from a patriotic family. Stationed in a high-stakes career post far from home, she finds herself caught in a dangerous personal conspiracy. The film delves into her struggles as she navigates this treacherous situation, from getting accused of being a spy to proving her innocence.
As Ulajh prepares for its debut, spy thriller enthusiasts can explore other films in this gripping genre.
Pathaan
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan is an action-packed thriller featuring Shah Rukh Khan as an undercover agent tasked with neutralizing a global terror threat. The film follows Pathaan, who is pulled back into action to combat a former RAW agent (John Abraham), planning a devastating attack.
Furthermore, he doesn’t work alone. Deepika Padukone plays ISI agent Rubina Mohsin, who is not only a deadly assassin but also knows how to play the game of wit. With its intense action sequences and gripping plot, Pathaan is a must-watch for fans of spy thrillers like Janhvi Kapoor’s Ulajh.
Tiger 3
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Tiger 3 is a sequel to Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai. Directed by Maneesh Sharma, the film follows RAW agent Tiger (Salman Khan) and his partner, Zoya (Katrina Kaif), as they go on a mission to stop a rogue ISI agent named Aatish Rehman (Emraan Hashmi). The latter plans to stage a coup against the Pakistani government with a destructive agenda aimed at India.
Raazi
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Raazi, directed by Meghna Gulzar, stars Alia Bhatt as Sehmat Khan, an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family. The film is based on a true story that showcases Sehmat’s courage and intelligence as she gathers crucial information for India during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. This movie’s focus on undercover work and emotional elements resonates with the themes of personal struggle seen in Janhvi Kapoor’s Ulajh.
Khufiya
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Netflix’s Khufiya is a gripping espionage thriller directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The film features Tabu, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi in prominent roles. Inspired by the true events detailed in Amar Bhushan’s espionage novel Escape to Nowhere, the story delves into the world of intelligence and counterintelligence.
Krishna Mehra (Tabu), a top operative for RAW, is tasked with uncovering a mole within the organization. Ali Fazal plays Ravi Mohan, a suspect under Mehra’s radar, while Wamiqa Gabbi takes on the role of his wife, who becomes entangled in the unfolding drama.
Kahaani
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Vidya Balan’s Kahaani, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, is one of the cult classic spy thriller movies. The film follows the story of Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan), a pregnant woman who travels from London to Kolkata in search of her missing husband, Arnab Bagchi.
From the moment Vidya arrives in the bustling city of Kolkata, she faces numerous challenges and dead ends. However, viewers are left aghast by the never-expected ending. Moreover, Kahaani stands out for its strong female protagonist, akin to Janhvi Kapoor’s Ulajh.
Vishwaroopam
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video & Disney+ Hotstar
Directed, co-written, co-produced, and acted by Kamal Haasan, Vishwaroopam is an Indian spy thriller that combines action, drama, and suspense. The plot centers around Vishwanath, a Kathak dance teacher in New York.
His seemingly peaceful life takes a dramatic turn when his wife, Nirupama, suspects him of infidelity and hires a detective. The investigation reveals Vishwanath’s true identity as Wizam Ahmad Kashmiri, a former Indian Army officer turned RAW agent. What follows after is a blend of past and present.
