Top 10 true crime originals of 2023 that ruled in India

As 2023 comes to an end, here's a list of the top ten true crime documentaries that have released this year and ruled the OTT platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

For all those who are True-Crime enthusiasts and buffs, and looking for a true-crime series to binge-watch as this year comes to an end, here are some of the popular and trending shows that you can check out based on spine-chilling, thrilling true stories.

The list includes shows that were released this year, and true-crime tales from India to elsewhere around the world.

1. Mumbai Mafia: Police Vs Underworld 

• "Mumbai Mafia: Police Vs Underworld" is a Netflix documentary film produced by Morgan Matthews and Sophie Jones and directed by Raaghav Dar and Francis Longhurst under the banner of Minnow Films.
• The plot of this documentary film revolves around the clashes between Mumbai Police and Indian mafia Dawood Ibrahim and his companions like Abu Salem and others.
• It delves into the operations of D-Company, featuring interviews with Mumbai officers who recount their experiences in addressing and escalating crimes involving underworld mafias.

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2. The Hunt for Veerapan

• "The Hunt for Veerapan" is a true crime docuseries by Netflix which follows the rise and fall of a fearful smuggler Veerapan and this led to a 20-year-long manhunt in South India.
• The story focuses on the dreaded bandit of 1990s and 2000s.
• The show is directed by Selvamani Selvaraj and produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan.

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3. Dancing on the Grave

• The film "Dancing on the Grave" is directed by Patrick Graham for Amazon Prime Video and it is produced by India Today.
• This true crime series is based on the murder of Shakereh Khaleeli, which took place in the early 90s in Bangalore, India.
• Shakereh Khaleeli was an Indian real estate developer and philanthropist.

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4. Victim/Suspect

• "Victim/Suspect" is a documentary on Netflix.
• The documentary unravels the story of young women telling the police they've been sexually assaulted, but instead of finding justice, they're charged with the crime of making a false report, arrested, and even imprisoned by the system they believed would protect them.
• Investigative journalist, Rae de Leon, uncovers these stories.

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5. Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso

• "Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso" is a 2023 Indonesian-Singaporean true crime documentary film directed by Rob Sixsmith about the 2016 murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin, which was allegedly perpetrated by her friend Jessica Kumala Wongso.
• This documentary focuses on the unanswered questions surrounding the trial of Jessica Wongso years after the death of her best friend, Mirna Salihin.
• With Wongso imprisoned, the film focuses on the people surrounding the case: Salihin's family members, Wongso's defense, the trial's public prosecutors, as well as witnesses, experts, and journalists, presenting their stances and arguments, while commenting on the nature of Indonesia's criminal justice system which those opposing Wongso's conviction deemed flawed.

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6. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal

• "The Murdaughs", a prominent family in South Carolina, see their legacy unravel when a fatal boating accident initiates a sequence of events.

• Subsequently, Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul are discovered murdered, exposing a century-long narrative of corruption, power, and cover-ups.

• In this series, a determined reporter interviews the infamous Alex Murdaugh and hopes for answers pertaining to the alleged murders of his wife and son.

• There are two seasons of this show.

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7. Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street

• This series shows the rise and fall of financier Bernie Madoff, who orchestrated one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in the history of Wall Street.
• It is a Netflix documentary series.
• In this show, it provides an in-depth exploration of Bernie Madoff's ascent to power.
• Drawing on insights from former employees, investigators, journalists, victims, whistleblowers, and Madoff's video depositions, the narrative unravels the intricacies of the world's largest Ponzi scheme.
• It also sheds light on those who, despite encountering numerous red flags, chose to dismiss them and turn a blind eye.

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8. In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal

• This documentary delves into the eerie true accounts of four Korean leaders who proclaim themselves as prophets; this narrative unveils the ominous aspects of unwavering belief.
• This series is on Netflix.
• The show has a total of eight episodes.

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9. Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife

• This true crime documentary unveils one of the most significant frauds in recent medical history, this inquiry exposes a thoracic surgeon renowned for groundbreaking contributions to regenerative medicine.
• It is based on Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, who is world famous for his revolutionary stem cell-infused windpipe transplants.
  The Swiss-born surgeon soared to global fame in the medical arena, but as details emerged about his experimental transplants, a darker reality unfolded.
• Biomedical researcher Leonid Schneider reported that several of the surgeon's patients ultimately succumbed to the procedures.

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10. Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom

• In this true crime documentary, fresh insights from various parties come to light that raise questions about Jens Söring's conviction of the 1985 murders of his then-girlfriend's parents.
• Jens Soering was convicted of murdering the parents of his girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom. This documentary is on Netflix.
• At the University of Virginia, 20-year-old Canadian Elizabeth Haysom crossed paths with Jens Soering, an 18-year-old, and the son of a German diplomat.
• Their connection quickly deepened, evolving from friendship to a close and inseparable romantic relationship.

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Do you have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments below