IMDb Reveals India’s Most Popular Stars and Directors of 2025

IMDb, the world’s leading database for movies, TV shows, and celebrity information, has unveiled its annual list of the most popular Indian stars and directors, based on page views from over 250 million monthly users worldwide.

This year, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda claimed the top two positions following their breakthrough performances in Saiyaara, the romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri, who tops the list of India’s most popular directors for 2025. Both actors were also recognized with IMDb’s Breakout Star STARmeter Award earlier this year, which has become a trusted indicator of rising talent.

Rising Stars Shine Bright

Ahaan Panday expressed his gratitude, saying, “To be ranked No. 1 on IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Stars list with my first film is nothing short of a dream come true… This recognition motivates me to deliver performances that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.”

Aneet Padda added, “Being recognised as one of the Most Popular Indian Stars feels unreal. Saiyaara made me braver as an actor, and this honour pushes me to grow in craft, curiosity, and clarity for my next film.”

Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025

1. Ahaan Panday

2. Aneet Padda

3. Aamir Khan

4. Ishaan Khatter

5. Lakshya

6. Rashmika Mandanna

7. Kalyani Priyadarshan

8. Triptii Dimri

9. Rukmini Vasanth

10. Rishab Shetty

Notable highlights: Ishaan Khatter and Triptii Dimri are the only actors returning from last year’s list, while Rashmika Mandanna starred in multiple Hindi and Telugu films across genres, including Chhaava, Sikandar, and Kuberaa.

Directors Gain Fan Following

For the first time, IMDb introduced a Most Popular Indian Directors list, acknowledging the growing influence of filmmakers as key drivers of fan engagement.

Top 10 Most Popular Indian Directors of 2025

1. Mohit Suri

2. Aryan Khan

3. Lokesh Kanagaraj

4. Anurag Kashyap

5. Prithviraj Sukumaran

6. R.S. Prasanna

7. Anurag Basu

8. Dominic Arun

9. Laxman Utekar

10. Neeraj Ghaywan

Aryan Khan, who made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, is the youngest director on the list and the only one recognized for a series. Neeraj Ghaywan directed Homebound, India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards.

Growing Trend: Directors as Celebrities

Yaminie Patodia, Head of IMDb India, noted, “Directors are now fan favourites alongside actors. Storytelling and world-building have emerged as engines of fandom, and filmmakers are increasingly recognized for shaping the future of Indian cinema.”

The IMDb rankings reflect consistent page view engagement on the platform, giving audiences a clear picture of the stars and filmmakers capturing the imagination of moviegoers both in India and worldwide.