iWorld
It’s Friday the 13th: Explore thrillers like The Buckingham Murders and more!
Mumbai: What would you do if the person you trusted most turned out to be your greatest enemy? If the idea of twists, turns, and suspense sends your heart racing, you’re in for a treat. Murder mysteries and revenge thrillers have an uncanny ability to keep us on the edge of our seats, making every minute of watching (or listening) feel like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Whether you’re into high-octane dramas or psychological slow burns, this list has something for every thriller enthusiast. Get ready to dive into a world of dark secrets, shocking betrayals, and spine-tingling plots.
1. The Buckingham Murders (Releasing 13 September 2024)
Bollywood queen Kareena Kapoor Khan stars as Jass Bhamra, a detective grappling with personal trauma while investigating a disturbing murder in The Buckingham Murders. Set against the gloomy, suspense-filled backdrop of Buckinghamshire, Jass is not just fighting external forces but her own demons. As she digs deeper into the case, long-buried secrets resurface, blurring the lines between her personal and professional life. Expect a thrilling, heart-wrenching performance as Kapoor takes on one of her most emotionally intense roles yet.
2. Aarya – Ek Revenge
In Aarya – Ek Revenge, Aarya Raghuvanshi grows up in an orphanage, unaware of her royal lineage. Her life takes a sharp turn when her mother, Rajeshwari, reveals a dark secret that sends Arya on a journey of vengeance. As she seeks to uncover the truth about her identity, she encounters a world of deception, betrayal, and dangerous enemies. The story’s twists and turns, paired with Arya’s relentless determination, make this audio series a perfect pick for revenge thriller lovers. Tune in to Aarya – Ek Revenge on Pocket FM for an immersive, high-stakes drama.
3. Knives Out
Knives Out boasts an ensemble cast with Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, the charmingly eccentric detective hired to solve the mysterious death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (played by Christopher Plummer). Every member of the Thrombey family, from Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans) to Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), seems to be hiding something. As Blanc unravels the puzzle, audiences are kept guessing until the very last frame. The combination of humor, mystery, and unexpected revelations makes Knives Out an instant classic in the murder mystery genre.
4. Aaj Ka Hero
In Aaj Ka Hero, Vikrant is a 21-year-old man recently released from jail after serving three years for a crime he got caught up in. Upon his release, he learns that his girlfriend Shruti has betrayed him in ways he could never have imagined. Heartbroken and seeking revenge, Vikrant’s life takes a shocking turn when an unexpected event threatens to change everything. The series explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and justice, all while maintaining a gripping, fast-paced narrative. Listen to Vikrant’s journey on Pocket FM and unravel the mystery for yourself.
5. Mindhunter
Set in the 1970s, Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they interview some of the most dangerous serial killers in history. The show dives deep into the minds of infamous criminals like Ed Kemper and Charles Manson to understand what makes them tick. Based on real-life events, Mindhunter offers a chilling insight into criminal psychology and the FBI’s early efforts at profiling serial killers. The dark, unsettling atmosphere makes it a standout in the murder mystery genre.
6. Sacred Games
One of India’s most acclaimed TV series, Sacred Games centers around Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan), a down-and-out police officer, and Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a notorious gangster. After receiving a mysterious phone call from Gaitonde, Sartaj is drawn into a dangerous conspiracy involving the criminal underworld and the highest levels of power in India. With its intense plot, complex characters, and mix of crime, politics, and revenge, Sacred Games is a must-watch for anyone craving a powerful, layered thriller.
Whether you prefer the visual drama of movies and TV shows or the immersive storytelling of audio series, these six recommendations are guaranteed to satiate your curiosity for suspense and intrigue. From the mind-bending mysteries of Knives Out and The Buckingham Murders to the edge-of-your-seat thrillers like Aaj Ka Hero and Mindhunter, this list offers a variety of stories that will keep you hooked until the very last second.
e-commerce
Visa report tracks rise of India’s affluent, experience-led spending
Affluent base doubles to 130 lakh, travel 58 per cent of elite spends.
MUMBAI: In India’s new luxury playbook, it’s less about owning more and more about living better. A new whitepaper by Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA) maps a decisive shift in India’s affluent economy, where spending is becoming more intentional, experience-led, and closely tied to personal identity rather than pure income growth.
Titled India’s Affluent Economy 2025–2026, the report draws on a Visa-commissioned Yougov study and VisaNet data across travel, dining, retail and lifestyle categories. The headline number is hard to miss: individuals earning over Rs 10 lakh annually have nearly doubled from 69 lakh to 130 lakh, significantly expanding the country’s discretionary spending base.
But it’s not just about scale, it’s about behaviour. As consumers move up the affluence ladder, discretionary categories are taking a larger share of credit card spends, positioning cards as key enablers of premium, lifestyle-driven consumption.
The geography of wealth is shifting too. Affluence is no longer confined to metros such as Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, with cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and Lucknow increasingly mirroring metro consumption patterns.
The report highlights a clear pivot from ownership to access. More than 50 per cent of affluent consumers now use cards for elite memberships, while 7 in 10 are drawn to limited-edition drops and curated collections. Increasingly, luxury is defined by seamless access be it concierge-led travel or curated dining where time saved is as valuable as money spent.
Spending patterns reinforce this shift. Among the ultra-elite, travel accounts for 58 per cent of discretionary spends, far outpacing retail and luxury combined at 28 per cent. Cross-border spending penetration stands at 63 per cent, signalling a growing global outlook among India’s affluent.
Closer home, indulgence is becoming routine. Nearly 4 in 5 affluent consumers dine at premium establishments at least three times a year, while 1 in 4 visit luxury venues more than five times annually. Dining spends are also climbing, with Rs 20,000 emerging as a new entry-level benchmark per experience and Rs 50,000 marking premium territory.
Retail, meanwhile, is becoming more selective. Three in four affluent consumers make a high-end purchase at least once a quarter, while one in four shops premium every two weeks. Luxury retail intensity is also rising, with 2 in 5 consumers spending over Rs 5 lakh annually, and a smaller but significant segment exceeding Rs 10 lakh.
Technology and wellness are carving out new roles in this ecosystem. High-end gadgets now see average spends of Rs 60,000 or more per purchase, while ultra-elite consumers are eight times more likely to visit spas and show five times higher engagement with cosmetic stores than non-affluent groups.
The broader takeaway is structural. Affluent consumers are no longer buying products, they are buying ecosystems. Integrated experiences across travel, dining, wellness and payments are becoming central to how this segment lives and spends.
As India’s affluent base expands beyond metros and aligns more closely with global consumption patterns, the real opportunity lies not just in size, but in speed. For brands, the message is clear: relevance will be defined by how early and how seamlessly, they plug into this evolving lifestyle economy.
