'Saiyaara' is IMDb's most popular film in 2025
What's the story
The romantic drama Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been declared the most popular Indian film of 2025 by IMDb. The movie beat Ashwin Kumar's mystical actioner Mahavatar Narsimha and Laxman Utekar's Chhaava to secure the top spot. The list was determined by analyzing titles released between January 1 and November 30, 2025, with them having an average IMDb user rating of six/higher and having over 250 million page views globally.
Global acclaim
'We are hugely grateful...'
Akshaye Widhani, the CEO of Yash Raj Films (YRF) and producer of Saiyaara, expressed immense pride in the film's achievement. He stated that the movie has set new benchmarks and connected with audiences globally. Widhani said, per Deadline, "We are hugely grateful that it has become one of the most iconic films for YRF and for the industry."
Film's impact
'Saiyaara' is a shining example of YRF's vision: Widhani
Widhani further added, "At YRF, we have always aspired to create cinema that becomes part of people's lives and memories, and Saiyaara is a shining example of that vision." He also credited Suri for his "clear vision" and "deep emotion" in the film, while praising Panday and Padda for their confident debut performances.
Industry vibrancy
IMDb's list reflects diversity and innovation in Indian cinema
Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, said the Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 lists showcase "the boldness and innovation of Indian creators." "The diverse range of storytelling, spanning from romance to animation, superhero epics to satire, reflects the industry's vibrancy." Patodia also expressed excitement over distinctly Indian stories and cultural narratives resonating with global audiences.
Historic achievement
'Mahavatar Narsimha' made history as 1st animated film on list
Mahavatar Narsimha, which is the first animated film to make it to the annual list, was released in five languages simultaneously. It clinched the second spot, followed by Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. The top 10 list included five Hindi films, two Tamil films, and one each from Kannada and Malayalam cinema. The other top 10 movies were Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1, Coolie, Dragon, Sitaare Zameen Par, Deva, Raid 2, and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.