The romantic film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and featuring debut performances from Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has been named the most popular Indian movie of 2025 by IMDb. This accolade reflects its widespread appeal among audiences globally and underscores its success in a competitive cinematic landscape.
In the IMDb rankings, Saiyaara outperformed other notable films, including Ashwin Kumar’s mystical action film Mahavatar Narsimha and Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava. The list showcases the top ten most popular Indian films, with Saiyaara leading the pack due to its unique storytelling and emotional resonance.
Industry Reaction and Significance
The recognition of Saiyaara as the most popular Indian film on IMDb was met with enthusiasm from Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, which produced the film. Widhani expressed immense pride in the achievement, stating, “The film has not only set new benchmarks but has connected with audiences across India and the world, cutting across geography, age, and culture.” He acknowledged the overwhelming love from viewers and emphasized that Saiyaara has become an iconic film for both YRF and the broader industry.
Widhani credited Mohit Suri for his clear vision and emotional depth in directing the film. He also praised the performances of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, noting that their heartfelt portrayals resonated with viewers around the world.
The popularity list included five Hindi titles, two Tamil titles, and one each from Kannada and Malayalam. Notably, Mahavatar Narsimha marked a milestone as the first animated film to feature in the annual rankings, having been released in five languages simultaneously.
Diverse Storytelling in Indian Cinema
Reflecting on the variety of films on the list, Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, commented, “The Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 lists demonstrate the boldness and innovation of Indian creators.” She highlighted the diverse range of storytelling, which spans romance, animation, superhero epics, and satire, showcasing the vibrancy of the Indian film industry. Patodia expressed excitement about how distinctly Indian stories are resonating with global audiences.
The list was compiled by evaluating films released in India from January 1 to November 30, 2025, that achieved an average IMDb user rating of 6 or higher and garnered over 250 million page views worldwide.
The complete list of IMDb’s 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 not only highlights its artistic merit but also reinforces the notion that Indian cinema continues to capture the hearts of viewers worldwide. As the industry evolves, the film serves as a shining example of impactful storytelling that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
