Best Suspense Thriller Kaun

Suspense thrillers are a thing now. But back to the times of 1990s, it wasn’t a much tapped into genre in Bollywood. There were hardly any crime-thriller films that managed to keep us on the edge of our seat. However, time and again, we witness some gems in Bollywood that redefine the standards for a particular genre and Ram Gopal Varma’s Kaun is one of them.

For the unitiated, Kaun is Urmila Mantondkar starrer film which was directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by none other than the maverick filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Releated in 1999, Kaun was touted to be one of the best thriller movies ever made in the decade 1990-2000. Co-starred by Manoj Bajpayee and Sushant Singh, the film revolved around a paranoid solo living woman who is trying to dodge a serial killer at large in her city.

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As the film progresses, the layers of its scripts are unfolded and we are left agape with the sheer finesse of the story writer. I won’t be giving away any spoilers here because I want the readers to watch the film and decide for themselves.

In this blog, we are jotting down few reasons why Kaun is hands-down one of the best thriller films of all time.

1. Urmila Matondkar’s spectacular performance

We all know Urmila Matondkar for her bubbly demeanour and flawless dancing skills. Some even call her the ‘Rangeela Girl’ fondly for her stint in Aamir Khan-starrer Rangeela. However, I beg to differ from the lot. Not Rangeela, but Kaun is the best performance of her career. The coy looking actress was trusted with such a meaty role and she took it on like a badass she was. Throughout the film, Urmila Matondkar’s breathless voice and sweating forehead didn’t give away what was in store for us.

Urmila Matondkar Kaun
AE On Demand/YouTube

2. Mind-boggling plot twist

Some films are so great in building suspense that they take you by surprise as the plot unfolds. Kaun is one of them. I bet no one can decipher what’s ACTUALLY happening in the film before they watch it completely. In fact, such is the complexities of the screenplay that you will sit wonder ‘what the hell just happened?’.

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Underrated Suspense Movies Kaun
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3. Superb direction, eery background score

It won’t be wrong to say that Kaun is the best psychological thriller made in Bollywood. With its camera angles, background score and screenplay, the film manages to keep you glued to the screen without a blink. With just three characters and a single location, Kaun teaches us that a good film doesn’t need exotic locations and superstars to be brilliant. Sheer storytelling finesse and meticulous direction, this RGV film manages to be the best.

Bollywood suspense thriller Kaun
AE On Demand/YouTube

4. Experimental style of film production

Before Kaun, no other Bollywood filmmaker tried this type of storyline, direction and style. The entire 90 minute was film was shot inside a bungalow, with just three actors (and a cat). With the story revolving around a single day, Kaun is a bold experiment that RGV and Kashyap managed to pull off in the 90s. If it released today, it could’ve been a smashing hit among the audience.

manoj bajpayee Kaun
AE On Demand/YouTube

5. Ample of jumpscares

With the help of its disturbing background music and Urmila’s tremendous expressions, Kaun gives us not one but hundreds of jump scares throughout its length. Though nothing happens in the first few minutes of the film, the scared to death Urmila convinces us that something bad is just about to happen.

Best Bollywood suspense thriller Kaun
AE On Demand/YouTube

If you are a die-hard cinema lover and wouldn’t skip a good movie for anything, Kaun deserves to be there on your watch list.

Also read: 31 Best Bollywood Suspense Thrillers Of All Time

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Reshu Manglik is a highly accomplished professional, holding a degree in Science and boasting an extensive 9-year career as a seasoned Content Marketer. Her passion for writing extends across a diverse range of marketing topics, showcasing her versatility and expertise in the field. Reshu is renowned for her ability to craft compelling content that resonates with audiences, making complex marketing concepts accessible and engaging.