'Delhi Crime', 'Wild Wild Country', 'Scam': Crime-thrillers based on true events that deserve your time

While horror and thriller genres have always had an audience, there is now a new fascination for films and series based on true events. Shows like ‘Delhi Crime’, Wild Wild Country’, Scam’, ‘Filthy Rich' and others have given the audience a glimpse of some notorious personalities from all over the world and the crimes they committed. In case you are yet to jump in on the trend, let us give you a list of some shocking and disturbing thrillers that deserve a watch...

‘Delhi Crime’ is loosely based on the shocking events of the Nirbhaya rape case that took place in Delhi in 2012. The story of the heinous crime that took the country by a storm, has been retold in the series and is sure to play on your mind for days to come. The series is led by an able star cast that includes Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain, and others. The show received positive reviews from the audience and the critics alike and also won an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.

The recent release of ‘Searching For Sheela’ has put the spotlight back on the 2018 documentary series, ‘Wild Wild Country’, which was based on the controversial Indian Guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, popularly known as ‘Osho’. The much-talked-about series talks about the community that Osho and his followers had established in Oregon after they were forced out of India in 1981. The documentary was taut with suspense and also offered a glimpse into the world of Rajneeshpuram and the controversy surrounding it. It also threw light on Ma Anand Sheela, the spokesperson of Bhagwan Rajneesh.

‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ is based on the book ‘The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson’ by Jeffrey Toobin. The thrilling court drama follows the 1995 murder trial of OJ Simpson, and features Cuba Gooding Jr in the titular role. This dramatisation of the real-life event traces the twists and turns of OJ Simpson's murder trial and examines behind-the-scenes gambits on both sides of the court. If you love watching courtroom dramas, this one is a must-watch.

The cruel assassination of popular fashion designer Gianni Versace outside his Miami mansion in 1997 sent shock waves throughout the world. The series takes us back to the time to show how the unfortunate crime unfolded and what went on in the mind and life of the assassin Andrew Cunanan. It shows some defining moments in Andrew Cunanan's life, starting in childhood, leading up to a 1997 murder spree that kills five, including fashion icon Gianni Versace. The series stars Edgar Ramirez, Darren Criss, Ricky Martin, and others.

Hansal Mehta’s series documents Harshad Mehta’s stock market scam that shook India back in the '90s. The rags-to-riches story concludes in the protagonist being arrested for committing India’s biggest financial scam. After his arrest, the stock market crashed and, for the first time, the CBI was compelled to launch an investigation into a financial crime. Lead actor Pratik Gandhi received immense love and appreciation for his performance in the series, which is highly gripping and relatable.

Remember the sensational scandal in 2011 involving French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn? ‘Room 2806: The Accusation’ chronicles the events that preceded the #MeToo movement. Dominique was accused of sexual assault at the peak of his career. The docuseries features Nafissatou Diallo, Raphaëlle Bacqué, Élisabeth Guigou and others. Apart from details of the incident, the series also showcases the opinions of some French politicians.

Charles Sobhraj is notorious for his many crimes across the world. The conman, who has been accused of committing dozens of murders, forgeries, and theft, was convicted of murder and sentenced to imprisonment in India. Apart from the gripping narration, the series which chronicles the conman's exploits, also boasts of power-packed performances from its lead cast comprising Tahar Rahim, Jenna Coleman, Amesh Edireweera, Billy Howle, and others.

Less than a year after Jeffrey Epstein died of suicide in a prison in New York, comes the series that chronicles the crimes of child sexual abuse and trafficking that he had committed in his life. The series is dark, gut-wrenching, and shocking, as it gives a first-person account of the incidents that took place. The series also names some bigwigs like Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, as friends of the perpetrator. Given all the rage that has resulted in the #MeToo movement worldwide, this is a must-watch!