Authentic & impactful: True crime shows a hit on OTT

Earlier this week, the accused in the Mehrauli murder case, Aaftab Poonawala, told Delhi Police that he took notes from the crime drama series Dexter. The show, based on Brazilian serial killer Pedro Rodrigues Filho, is about a vigilante serial killer, who methodically carves up and disposes the corpses of his victims. Poonawala allegedly murdered his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and chopped her body into 35 parts before scattering the parts across south Delhi.This horrific murder has again reminded everyone of the immense popularity of the true crime genre. Makers say that these shows transport viewers to the crime scene and gives them a chance to not just see the victim’s and criminals’ side of the story but police procedures too.
‘REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS ENABLE VIWERS TO EXPLORE THE DARKER ASPECTS OF HUMAN NATURE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT’
Experts say when it comes to true crime stories, it is not just the whodunnit aspect, but the layers of the case appeal to the viewers who sometimes think they can solve the case. As per a survey conducted by Morning Consult, two in three persons say that the main reason they are interested in true crime shows is to understand the psychology of serial killers.
Mansi Shrivastav, MX Player, Senior Vice President Content Acquisitions and Partnerships, says, “Deciphering mysteries and watching true crime stories does catch the fancy and curiosity of our audience. There is immense intrigue, resulting in high completion rates for stories revolving around serial killers, conspiracies, political scandals, etc. The trend is not unique to MX Player but all OTT platforms at large in the country and around the world, where these genres frequently rank among the top 10 most watched programmes. ”
She adds, “Although a good mystery or thriller always makes for riveting viewing, real-life incidents capture viewers’ attention the most as it enables them to explore the darker aspects of human nature in a safe environment and also keeps them on edge of their seat. With stories that span decades, regions, and social backgrounds, this genre has grown into a full-fledged phenomenon that gives an adrenaline kick. ”
‘TRUE CRIME SHOWS ARE POPULAR BECAUSE FILMMAKERS SHOWS NUANCES OF AN INVESTIGATION’
Several true crime shows featured in Netflix’s top 10 global and Indian lists for several consecutive weeks recently. As per Ormax, the most-liked Hindi web series on Netflix to date, based on audience engagement, is Delhi Crime Season 2. A Netflix spokesperson says, “True crime has always been one of the most popular genres worldwide, offering a perspective that entertains and informs. ”
Neeraj Kumar, former Delhi Police Commissioner, who has collaborated with multiple OTT platforms, says, “The popularity of these shows is because filmmakers can show the nuances of an investigation in 8-10 episode series. Real-life crime stories can never be compared with fictional writing because as they say, truth is stranger than fiction. The crime, investigation, criminal’s background – all this makes for gripping viewing. ”
‘AUTHENTICITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT FOR REAL CRIME-BASED SHOWS’
During a press conference, actress Shefali Shah said the reason why Delhi Crime resonated with the audiences was because it was a realistic portrayal, adding, “The grain of the show is very real and it is very raw. There are no supercops, they are humans – real people dealing with real-life crimes. ” Saurav Dey, co-writer of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, adds, “Authenticity is the most important element for real crime-based shows. ” Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India, agrees and says, “The popularity of crime thrillers as a genre has been on an upward swing across languages. With authentic and impactful storytelling, this category has garnered a sizeable audience. ”