11 Real-life Horrors That Will Make You Hue and Cry; Documentary Series Available on OTT

More or less, the inspiration behind documentaries and docu-series are real-life, horrifying events that caused public backlash. The incident sparked a massive outbreak, from nationwide marches to social media campaigns. The hue and cry became a means of showing that the people were not satisfied with the law and order situation in the country.

These were documented in films, documentaries, and web series to give the nation and future generations a glimpse of how it impacted the nation. Here are 11 real-life horrors you can watch on OTT.

11/26 Mumbai attack

Ask anyone and any Indian will tell you the gory details of the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Ten men claiming to be members of the Islamic extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out 12 bombings and shootings in the city that never sleeps. Oberoi Trident, Metro Cinema, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal, Taj Palace, Leopold Cafe, Nariman House, St. Xavier’s College backstreets and Times of India office backstreets.

Political leaders were criticized and demonstrations were held across the country. This incident was recorded and made into a movie and series. ‘Phantom’ (2015) on Netflix, ‘November 26th Attack’ (2013) on Voot, ‘Mumbai Diaries 26/11’ (2021) on Amazon Prime, ‘Major’ (2022) on Netflix and Zee5’s “Hotel Mumbai” (2018).

Nirbhaya incident

Nirbhaya case is the name given to the horrific gang rape of a woman in Delhi in 2012. On the night of December 16th, she was traveling with her friend in a private bus. Her criminals tortured, gang-raped and beat her. She died a few days later from her wounds.

The public outcry against the state and national governments has made us realize how dangerous the situation is for women in this country. Netflix’s “Delhi Crime” (2019) Season 1, Amazon Prime’s “India’s Daughter” (2012) and MX Player’s “Indian Never Again Nirbhaya” (2018) are based on this case.

death of wandering

In 2018, the country was shocked when news of 11 family members dying by suicide hit newspaper and channel headlines. Ten members of the group were found hanged, and one elderly woman was strangled to death. Netflix’s “House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths” (2021) is based on this incident.

Nitari murder

After the Allahabad High Court acquitted both the accused in the Nitali murder case, the case became a hot topic all over the internet. The incident took place in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and two men have been charged with murdering an adult woman and at least 15 minors.

Karma Killing (2017), based on this incident, is available on Netflix, and Slumdog Cannibal (2012) is a BBC documentary. Murder 2 (2011), directed by Mohit Suri, is believed to have been inspired by this horrific incident.

Case of Arshi Talwar

There is no need to explain the Arushi Talwar incident. In 2008, a 13-year-old girl was murdered and the main suspects were her parents. This case remains unsolved to this day. The media reported extensively, and the deceased person was also assassinated.

‘Nivnan’ (2017) A Kannada film is based on this incident. Disney + Hotstar has a documentary series titled ‘The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors’. The incident also inspired a podcast and even two of his documentary series.

Ufar Fire Tragedy (Ufar Cinema Fire)

One of the worst fire incidents recorded in Indian history is the Ufaar movie fire. In the 1997 tragedy, 59 people were reported to have died from asphyxiation and 103 were seriously injured. The deceased’s family filed a lawsuit. In 2015, the Supreme Court ordered Ansar’s brother, the owner of the complex, to serve two years in prison if he fails to pay Rs 300 billion to each victim’s family.

“Trial By Fire” (2023) is a Netflix series based on this horrific incident. It stars Abhay Deol, Abhishek Sharma, Rajshri Deshpande, Ratna Pathak Shah and others.

Reign of Veerappan

Koos Munnisamy Veerappan was a bandit. He was kidnapping famous politicians for ransom. He was also charged with elephant poaching and sandalwood smuggling. He killed more than 180 people, including forest officials and police officers.

‘The Hunt For Veerappan’ is a documentary series based on his life. It will be released in 2023 and available on Netflix. Other films based on the bandit’s life include ‘Attahasa’ (2012), ‘Veerappan’ (1991), ‘Killing Veerappan’ (2016) and ‘Sandhanakaadu’ (2007) . There are many books based on his life, published in English, Kannada and Tamil.

Bharat Kalicharan Yadav and the murder case in court

Bharat Kalicharan Yadav Murderer alias Akku Yadav was a gangster, kidnapper, home invader, serial killer, rapist, robber and extortionist. There was no crime he did not commit. The first crime he registered was gang rape in 1991. He raped his 40 women and girls.

A woman resisted Ack and his gang. The mob supported her and they set his house on fire. He is believed to have gone to the police to seek protection. In 2004, hundreds of women stabbed him, poured chili powder on his face, and cut off his penis. The BBC first reported that 14 women and many children forced their way into the courtroom where his case was being heard and stabbed him to death.

“200: Haraho” (2021) is a movie based on this incident. You can watch it on Zee5. Another web series called “Indian Predator: Murder in Court” (2022) is available on Netflix.

Case of victim who was beheaded outside Tihar Jail

Chandrakant Jha was a serial killer who befriended people, murdered them, and mutilated their bodies. He left the bodies of his victims outside police stations and prisons with mocking notes. Three bodies were also found outside Tihar Jail. He was then arrested and sentenced to death.

People used to get scared when they read news related to Jah’s crimes. A documentary series based on his life is available on Netflix. Its name is “Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi”.

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The case of Rajah Kolander

In 2000, a man named Raja Kolander was feared. He is believed to have killed over 15 people in eastern Uttar Pradesh. He is also believed to have practiced cannibalism.

Dhirendra Singh was a journalist from Allahabad. He went missing in 2000 and his mutilated body was found in Madhya Pradesh. A short series on Netflix chronicles his brutal crimes and life. The title is “Indian Predator: Diary of a Serial Killer.”

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Bangalore, Umesh Reddy incident

In 1999, Umesh Reddy was the most feared and famous name in Karnataka. He was a police officer who committed a heinous crime. He is reported to have raped and murdered 18 women.

In 2009, the Karnataka High Court sentenced him to death, and the Supreme Court of India upheld the death sentence in 2011. ‘Indian Predator: The Beast of Bengaluru’ is his Netflix documentary series depicting the life of a criminal.