With the highly anticipated thriller Bandar hitting screens on June 5, 2026, there is no better time to dive into the cinematic world of Anurag Kashyap. Known as the pioneer of modern Indian noir, Kashyap has spent decades mastering dark, gritty, and fiercely realistic stories.

If you want to understand his signature style before his next big release, grab some popcorn and binge these five definitive crime thrillers—three of which boast an elite IMDb rating of 8.0 or higher.

1. Black Friday (2004)

• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10 ⭐

• Where to Watch: YouTube

Widely considered one of Kashyap's finest directorial masterpieces, Black Friday is a hard-hitting docu-drama based on the intense investigation and conspiracy surrounding the tragic 1993 Mumbai bombings. Powerhouse performances by Kay Kay Menon, Pawan Malhotra, and Aditya Srivastava drive this gripping, uncompromised narrative that famously fought a long battle with sensors before its release.

2. Satya (1998)

• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 ⭐

• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

While this iconic cult classic was directed by Ram Gopal Varma, it was a young Anurag Kashyap who co-wrote the blistering screenplay and razor-sharp dialogues that redefined the Mumbai underworld genre forever. Introducing audiences to unforgettable characters like Bhiku Mhatre (Manoj Bajpayee) alongside J.D. Chakraborty and Urmila Matondkar, Satya remains the gold standard for Indian crime dramas.

3. Gulaal (2009)

• IMDb Rating: 8.0/10 ⭐

• Where to Watch: YouTube

Set against the rugged, royal backdrop of Rajasthan, Gulaal is a complex explosion of student politics, a thirst for secessionist power, and systemic corruption. Directed by Kashyap, the movie features an exceptional ensemble cast including Kay Kay Menon, Raj Singh Chaudhary, Abhimanyu Singh, Deepak Dobriyal, and Piyush Mishra (who also provided its hauntingly poetic soundtrack).

4. Dev.D (2009)

• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

• Where to Watch: Netflix

Kashyap completely flipped the script on classic literature with this trippy, neon-soaked, modern-day reimagining of Devdas. Dealing heavily with themes of addiction, heartbreak, and self-destruction in the underbelly of Delhi and Punjab, the film stars Abhay Deol as the troubled Dev, alongside brilliant turns by Mahie Gill (Paro) and Kalki Koechlin (Chanda).

5. Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)

• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

• Where to Watch: Zee5

Inspired by Mumbai's notorious 1960s serial killer, this psychological cat-and-mouse game pits a terrifyingly unhinged murderer against an equally corrupt, drug-addicted cop. The intense, dark chemistry between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vicky Kaushal makes this a deeply unsettling but utterly unmissable thriller.