Set in the backdrop of the mystical city of Varanasi, Asur follows Nikhil Nair, a forensic-expert-turned-teacher, who returns to his roots at the Central Bureau of Investigation, and along with his former mentor Dhananjay Rajpoot, finds himself caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a brutal serial killer. What follows is a blend of suspense, mythology and the murders of some people totally unrelated.
A slick, atmospheric Indian crime thriller with strong performances and a compelling mythological-serial-killer hook. It’s worth it if you enjoy brooding cat-and-mouse mysteries, but the writing can be uneven and the show’s ambition sometimes outpaces its payoff.
Best for
Viewers who like dark procedural thrillers with a serial-killer focus
Fans of mythology-inflected crime stories
People who enjoy tense, moody investigations more than realism
Binge-watchers looking for a high-concept Indian thriller
Skip if
You want tight, purely procedural plotting
You dislike melodramatic twists or heavy symbolism
You prefer grounded police work over stylized mystery
You need consistently even writing across every season
Overview
Asur stands out for its eerie Varanasi setting, forensic-crime framework, and willingness to braid mythology into a modern serial-killer hunt. The premise gives it a distinct identity, and the cast sells the material with enough conviction to keep the tension alive even when the plotting gets a little overstuffed.
Worth noting
The first season is the strongest entry, with the cleanest sense of momentum and the most effective balance between investigation and philosophical menace. Later episodes and the continuing series format lean harder into escalation and spectacle, which can make the show feel less precise, but the core appeal remains intact for viewers who like their thrillers grim, cerebral, and a bit theatrical.
Bottom line
If you’re in the mood for an Indian crime series that aims for prestige atmosphere and high-concept suspense, it’s an easy sample. If you want a lean, airtight mystery, this may feel more ambitious than disciplined.
2018 · Curator 0.4/10 (247 ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
A landmark Indian crime thriller with a grim, sprawling atmosphere, strong performances, and a similarly high-stakes blend of investigation, corruption, and existential dread.
2020 · Curator 7.2/10 (75.6K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Dark, socially charged, and intensely atmospheric, with a grounded investigative structure that rewards viewers who like bleak, character-driven crime storytelling.
2019 · Curator 0.3/10 (126 ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
A serious, procedural-minded crime series with strong realism, emotional weight, and a tense investigative rhythm that pairs well with viewers drawn to Asur’s police-work side.
2012 · Curator 9.3/10 (80.8K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, Acorn TV, BritBox, Spectrum On Demand, Acorn TV Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus, Pluto TV, Plex, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV
If the appeal is institutional tension and interrogative cat-and-mouse energy, this delivers relentless procedural momentum and sharp confrontations.