‘Gumnaam’, ‘Gupt’, ‘100 Days’: Old Bollywood classics we never thought would do justice to the murder mystery genre

‘Gumnaam’ follows a group of strangers invited to a secluded island for a weekend that turns deadly when guests start dying one by one. With no host in sight, suspicion circulates among the group as paranoia sets in. Based on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, the film adapts the novel to suit Bollywood conventions while retaining its core mystery. The ensemble cast includes Manoj Kumar, Nanda, Mehmood, Pran, Helen, and Madan Puri. Its eerie setting and suspense-driven narrative made it one of Hindi cinema’s early murder mysteries.

‘Gupt’ became a pop-culture phenomenon in the late 1990s, largely due to its tightly guarded climax. The story revolves around Sahil Sinha (Bobby Deol), who is accused of murdering his stepfather after a family dispute. Sentenced to life imprisonment, Sahil escapes custody to uncover the real killer. The film blends romance, courtroom drama, and suspense into a mainstream format. Its narrative structure and secrecy around the reveal helped it gain widespread attention.

‘100 Days’ combines mainstream Bollywood elements with a central murder mystery. Inspired by the Italian film Sette note in nero, it follows Devi (Madhuri Dixit), a woman who experiences visions of crimes before they occur. When her sister disappears, Devi begins connecting the clues from her premonition. The film incorporates romance, songs, and comedy while maintaining narrative focus. Performances by Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, and Jaaved Jaaferi anchor the film.

Directed by Yash Chopra, ‘Ittefaq’ marked a significant shift from traditional Hindi film storytelling. The film unfolds almost entirely within a single location and features no songs or interval. With a limited cast and a runtime of just over 100 minutes, it focuses entirely on narrative tension. The stripped-down format was unconventional for its time. ‘Ittefaq’ later inspired similar minimalist thrillers and a 2017 remake.

Set against the backdrop of Kolkata, ‘Kahaani’ places its cityscape at the heart of the narrative. Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan), a pregnant woman, arrives from London searching for her missing husband. As official records yield no answers, she uncovers a deeper conspiracy. The film blends suspense with character-driven storytelling. Strong performances and a decisive climax contributed to its wide acclaim.

‘Teesri Manzil’ is a fast-paced whodunnit that introduces a murder within minutes of its opening. After her sister’s mysterious death, Sunita (Asha Parekh) suspects drummer Rocky (Shammi Kapoor). As the story progresses, it becomes evident that the death was a murder, not a suicide. Directed by Vijay Anand, the film is known for its stylised visuals and innovative camerawork. R.D. Burman’s soundtrack also played a major role in its popularity.

‘Kaun?’ is a tightly constructed suspense thriller set almost entirely inside a single house. The plot follows a woman alone at home when news of a serial killer dominates television broadcasts. A stranger arrives at her door during a stormy night, escalating the tension. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Anurag Kashyap, the film relies on dialogue and performance rather than spectacle. Its minimalism and narrative twists remain notable.