As the first half of 2025 draws to a conclusion, the Indian segment of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb India) has unveiled its semi-annual list of the most favored Indian films of the year thus far. Based on user ratings and interests for all Indian films released this year, IMDb has curated a list of those that created the most significant buzz. It is not surprising that the film with the highest box office earnings also emerged as the most popular.
In a press release, IMDb clarified the criteria used for selecting the films. “Among all the movies launched in India from January 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025, which possess an average IMDb user rating of 6 or above with a minimum of 10,000 votes, these titles were consistently the most favored by IMDb users, as indicated by the actual page views from over 250 million monthly visitors to IMDb globally,” the note stated.
The most acclaimed Indian film of 2025 to date Despite Salman Khan’s release of Sikandar, Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, and Akshay Kumar’s triumphant return with Kesari Chapter 2, none of these films secured the top position on IMDb’s list of the most popular Indian films of 2025. That distinction belongs to Laxman Utekar’s historical drama Chhaava. Featuring Vicky Kaushal in the leading role, the film achieved a box office gross of ₹809 crore against a budget of ₹130 crore, resulting in a theatrical profit exceeding 500%. Chhaava, which is a biopic of the Maratha Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, also includes notable performances from Akshaye Khanna, Rashmika Mandanna, Divya Dutta, and Vineet Kumar Singh in significant roles. The film stands as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 by a considerable margin.
In a statement, director Laxman Utekar expressed, “We are privileged that Chhaava has reached the top of the IMDb Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025 So Far list. What makes this acknowledgment particularly meaningful is that it originates directly from the fans. Their immense affection and favorable response to this Maddock film, featuring performances by Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna, have been profoundly encouraging. This motivates our entire cast and crew to persist in crafting narratives that connect with audiences globally.”
Other films in IMDb’s top 10 Chhaava is succeeded by the Tamil sleeper hit, Dragon. The film, featuring Pradeep Ranganathan and Gopika Ramesh, grossed over ₹150 crore at the box office and received critical acclaim as well. Shahid Kapoor’s Deva completed the top three, even though it was a commercial disappointment. The remaining films in the top 10 comprised four additional Hindi films – Raid 2 (#4), The Diplomat (#6), Sitaare Zameen Par (#8), and Kesari Chapter 2 (#9). Salman Khan’s Sikandar did not manage to enter the top 10. Tamil films Retro (#5) and VidaaMuyarchi (#10), and Malayalam blockbuster L2: Empuraan (#7) completed the top 10.
Also Read: How ‘Ramayana’ Earned ₹1,000 Crore Before Release—Without Selling a Single Ticket
