Saiyaara and Ba***ds of Bollywood Dominate IMDb's 2025 Indian Hits

In a year packed with ambitious storytelling and genre-bending entertainment, IMDb has unveiled its list of the most popular Indian movies and web series of 2025, based entirely on global page views from over 250 million monthly visitors. Topping the movie rankings is the romantic drama Saiyaara, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, which has captured worldwide attention for its emotional depth and chart-topping music. In the streaming world, Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, emerged as the most talked-about and most-watched Indian series of the year, marking a powerful entry for the young filmmaker.

Produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara has quickly become one of the biggest cultural moments of 2025. The film’s resonance across age groups and geographies reflects its universal appeal, combining heartfelt performances with a grand cinematic vision. Akshaye Widhani, CEO of YRF, expressed delight over the milestone, calling the recognition a “moment of immense pride” for the studio. He praised the film’s cast and crew for creating what many now consider one of the most iconic love stories in recent Indian cinema.

The IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 boasts an eclectic mix of genres and languages. At No. 2 is the animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha, becoming the first animated film to make it to IMDb’s year-end list. Vicky Kaushal’s historical drama Chhaava secured the third spot, followed by Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Rajinikanth’s much-awaited Coolie. The rest of the list includes Tamil coming-of-age comedy Dragon, Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, Shahid Kapoor’s Deva, Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2, and the Malayalam mystical saga Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.

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On the streaming side, Aryan Khan’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood* ignited an online frenzy with its raw, edgy storytelling and unapologetic tone. The series quickly became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring memes, debates, and fan edits across social platforms. Aryan noted that reaching No. 1 felt like the team “shook the room and owned the conversation,” reinforcing his belief in telling stories without compromise. His debut has been widely praised for its bold creative choices and sharp narrative voice.

Following closely were Vikramaditya Motwane’s Black Warrant and Sudip Sharma’s gritty Paatal Lok Season 2, both of which strengthened the dominance of crime thrillers in this year’s rankings. Amazon’s Panchayat Season 4 secured a strong fourth position, while psychological thrillers Mandala Murders and Khauf claimed fifth and sixth places. The lineup was completed by Special Ops Season 2, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, and new seasons of The Family Man and Criminal Justice, making crime and investigative dramas the clear audience favourites of 2025.

Reflecting on the year’s trends, Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, highlighted the extraordinary creativity driving India’s entertainment landscape. She noted that the mix of genres—ranging from romance and animation to satire and superhero tales—showcases the industry's diversity and global appeal. With streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar collectively dominating the list, 2025 marks a year where Indian storytelling once again captured the imagination of audiences around the world.

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