New wine, new bottles
Bollywood in 2025 was a mix of blockbuster hits, tech-driven storytelling with computer-generated imagery (CGI) and significant controversies, featuring big films like Dhurandhar, Saiyaara, Chhaava, Housefull 5 and Sitaare Zameen Par, alongside high-profile celeb weddings (Armaan Malik, Prajakta Koli) and drama surrounding figures like Saif Ali Khan, with Ahaan Panday emerging as a popular star. The year also saw a rise in immersive experiences using virtual reality (VR), while box office numbers reflected strong performances for action, comedy and drama films, with a total collection surpassing Rs16,000 crore. The top films of 2025 include: Dhurandhar, Fateh, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Raid 2, Chhaava, etc.
Chhaava undoubtedly emerged as the biggest Bollywood success of 2025. This sweeping historical epic-movie starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj won the hearts of millions of viewers. This film, which blends high-stakes battle sequences with emotional depth and grand production design, also got accolades for its scale and performances. It resonated strongly with the audience worldwide and critics alike, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and one of the most profitable Indian films ever made, marking 2025 with a memorable cinematic achievement. Versatile actor Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar too stood out as one of 2025’s biggest action thrillers, directed by talented director Aditya Dhar. This film follows an elite Indian agent on a high-stakes mission in Pakistan, combining intense fight sequences with passionate storytelling. The dynamic performances of actors Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna solidified Dhurandhar as one of the year’s most popular blockbusters.
The musical romantic drama, Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, will also be remembered as one of the most beloved films of 2025. Starring young actors Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as a singer-songwriter couple, Saiyaara charts their passionate romance and the challenges that test their emotional bond. Praised for its soulful soundtrack and brilliant performances, Saiyaara struck a chord with the younger audiences and became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. The latest movie in the Houseful franchise brought back its signature brand of slapstick comedy, with a fresh ensemble cast. Houseful 5 entertained audiences as expected with chaotic humour and larger-than-life scenarios, becoming one of the commercially successful films of the year and proving that the long-running comedy franchise still has a wide mass appeal.
Heart-touching drama
Kesari Chapter 2, sequel to the popular period drama hit movie Kesari, continued the franchise’s exploration of valour and brotherhood. With its thrilling narrative and strong ensemble cast, Kesari Chapter 2 delivered another engaging historical tale that found a wide audience, while another heart-touching drama, Sitaare Zameen Par explored themes of creativity, education and familial pressure. This film stars Aamir Khan in one of his most introspective roles of the decade. The film earned critical praise and strong box office numbers as one of 2025’s most impactful releases.
Meanwhile, building on the success of its predecessor movie, Raid 2 continued the franchise’s legacy with a gripping blend of thrill, action and courtroom drama. Led by Bollywood icon Ajay Devgn, the film delivers tense sequences and high-tension storytelling that resonated well with the audience. This movie emerged as one of the top box office performers of the year too.
Non-Hindi regional films significantly contributed to the all-India box office in 2025, showing a broader acceptance of the diverse content that is flavoured with local culture. In essence, this was a year where audiences demanded substance, rewarding films that truly connected, signalling a shift towards quality over just scale in Bollywood. However, streaming and other Indian language cinemas continue to challenge Hindi cinema’s dominance.
Trends suggest that Bollywood is at a crossroads, needing to focus on creative storytelling and smart budgeting. The industry needs more successful mid-budget films with fresh stories and new talent, rather than relying solely on expensive blockbusters.