The romantic film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been named the most popular Indian movie of 2025 by IMDb. This recognition comes from an extensive analysis of viewer preferences, placing Saiyaara at the top of a list that includes several other notable films.
In a competitive landscape, Saiyaara outperformed several other films, including Ashwin Kumar‘s action fantasy, Mahavatar Narsimha, and Laxman Utekar‘s drama, Chhaava. The IMDb list highlights the increasing global appeal of Indian cinema, as it reflects audience preferences from January 1 to November 30, 2025.
Industry Response and Impact
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films (YRF) and producer of Saiyaara, expressed immense pride at the film’s achievement. He stated, “Saiyaara being named the Most Popular Indian Movie on the IMDb 2025 list is a moment of immense pride for all of us at YRF. The film has not only set new benchmarks but has connected with audiences across India and the world, cutting across geography, age, and culture.”
Widhani emphasized the film’s cultural impact, stating that it has become an iconic addition to YRF’s portfolio. He noted the contributions of the film’s creators, saying, “Mohit Suri brought a clear vision and deep emotion to the film, while Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda delivered confident, heartfelt debut performances that instantly connected with audiences across the world.”
Diversity of Indian Cinema
The IMDb list for 2025 features a total of ten films, with a mix of genres reflecting the diverse storytelling in Indian cinema. The lineup includes five Hindi films, alongside two in Tamil and one each in Kannada and Malayalam. Notably, Mahavatar Narsimha is recognized as the first animated film to enter this annual list, launching in five languages simultaneously.
Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, remarked on the creativity showcased in this year’s selections. “The Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 lists demonstrate the boldness and innovation of Indian creators,” she said. Patodia highlighted how the range of stories—from romance to animation—illustrates the vibrancy of the Indian film industry, with distinctly Indian narratives resonating globally.
The ranking is determined based on films that have received an average IMDb user rating of 6 or higher and garnered over 250 million page views worldwide. This comprehensive approach ensures that the list represents films that have not only been critically acclaimed but also broadly embraced by audiences.
The full list of the Top 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 is as follows:
1. Saiyaara
2. Mahavatar Narsimha
3. Chhaava
4. Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1
5. Coolie
6. Dragon
7. Sitaare Zameen Par
8. Deva
9. Raid 2
10. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
The success of Saiyaara and the other films on this list exemplifies the dynamic landscape of Indian cinema in 2025, showcasing a blend of innovation, emotion, and cultural storytelling that continues to captivate audiences both in India and around the world.
