Indian Films with Psychopathic Killers: From HIT 3, Kaun to Ratsasan

HIT: The Third Case has villains with no vendetta of their own. They are wild desperadoes because they come with a deeply pathological personality. In this section, TFN lists out some of the Indian movies that fall into a similar category. Kaun (1999) - Hindi Headlined by Urmila Matondkar, this psychological thriller directed by Ram Gopal Varma . A young woman, alone in her house, hears news of a serial killer on the loose. A stranger (Manoj Bajpayee) arrives, followed by another claiming to be a cop (Sushant Singh). The narrative unfolds to reveal the woman herself as a psychopathic killer who lures and murders victims without clear personal motives. Described by critics as a brilliant piece of cinema, Kaun was shot in 15 days. RGV's experimental story-telling had no songs and was set in a single bungalow. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) - Hindi Directed by Anurag Kashyap, this neo-noir thriller is inspired by the real-life serial killer Raman Raghav, who terrorized Mumbai in the 1960s. Ramanna, a psychopathic murderer, kills indiscriminately with a tire iron, targeting random victims like slum dwellers. Described by The Hindu as an uncomplicated thriller, Raman Raghav was a sharp one. The killings and bloodshed might be kept off screen but the gore and gruesomeness reach out. The black humour adds to the horror, the daily added at the time of the movie's release. Murder 2 (2011) - Hindi Directed by Mohit Suri, this thriller follows an ex-cop investigating the disappearances of sex workers. The killer, Dheeraj, is a psychopath who lures, tortures, and murders young women, often dismembering them. His methods are gruesome, involving prolonged suffering, and his violence is driven by sadistic impulses rather than personal connections to his victims. The film was an adaptation of the 2008 South Korean film The Chaser. As per the makers of the film, though, the story of Murder 2 was inspired from the 2006 Nithari killings in Noida. Ratsasan (2018) - Tamil Directed by Ram Kumar, this psychological thriller follows a cop hunting a serial killer who targets teenage schoolgirls, kidnapping and brutally murdering them. The killer s methods are sadistic, involving mutilation and psychological torment, and the victims are chosen randomly, with no personal connection. The film was remade as Rakshasudu , headlined by Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas. The genre was pioneered first by Hollywood. Here are three of the popular movies. American Psycho (2000) Bateman, a wealthy Wall Street yuppie, leads a double life as a serial killer, brutally murdering colleagues, strangers, and prostitutes. His killings stem from boredom and sadistic impulses. The Guardian described the film as a vicious satire that remains as sharp as ever. Se7en (1995) John Doe commits gruesome murders based on the seven deadly sins, targeting victims who represent each sin. His killings are methodical and ideological, not personal. Seven revitalized director David Fincher's career and helped actor Brad Pitt move from roles based on his appearance to more serious, dramatic roles, a Wikipedia entry says. Halloween (1978) Michael Myers, a masked slasher, kills indiscriminately in Haddonfield after escaping a mental institution. His murders lack personal vendettas; he targets random victims, driven by an unexplained compulsion to kill. Also Read : Vijay Deverakonda says Tribe comment was not aimed at Scheduled Tribes, stresses unity Kanipinchevanni from Blind Spot: A moody, intriguing Theme Song