As we reach the halfway mark of 2025, IMDb India has released its Most Popular Indian Films of 2025 (So Far) list. Unsurprisingly, box office success and online buzz have gone hand in hand, and leading the charge is Laxman Utekar’s magnum opus Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal.
According to IMDb’s criteria, the list includes Indian films released between January 1 and July 1, 2025, that have a user rating of 6 or higher and at least 10,000 votes. Rankings are based on actual page views from over 250 million monthly IMDb users worldwide.
Why did Chhaava beat the big names?
Despite having fierce competition from films like Salman Khan’s Sikandar, Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2, it was Chhaava that took the crown.
A biopic of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the film grossed a whopping Rs 809 crore at the box office on a Rs 130 crore budget, yielding over 500% profit. That’s not just a hit; that’s a phenomenon.
With powerful performances by Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, and Divya Dutta, Chhaava has become the year’s cultural juggernaut.
Director Laxman Utekar noted, “What makes this recognition truly special is that it comes directly from the fans… Their overwhelming love and positive reception have been incredibly heartening.”
Which films made it to IMDb’s top 10?
Here’s the complete rundown of the most popular Indian movies of 2025 so far:
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Chhaava – Rs 809 crore juggernaut
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Dragon (Tamil) – A surprise hit led by Pradeep Ranganathan
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Deva (Hindi) – Shahid Kapoor’s intense turn, praised despite flopping
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Raid 2 (Hindi)
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Retro (Tamil)
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The Diplomat (Hindi)
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L2: Empuraan (Malayalam)
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Sitaare Zameen Par (Hindi) – Aamir’s redemption arc post-Laal Singh Chaddha
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Kesari Chapter 2 (Hindi) – Akshay returns with patriotic fervour
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VidaaMuyarchi (Tamil) – A slow burn that found its voice
While Sitaare Zameen Par and Kesari Chapter 2 cracked the top 10, Salman Khan’s much-hyped Sikandar did not make the list — a surprising miss, given the star power.
With Chhaava dominating both hearts and headlines, 2025’s first half proves that strong storytelling, historical gravitas, and passionate performances still win on screen and online.
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