This is a curated list of the most anticipated Indian films of 2025 by film critic Sucharita Tyagi, highlighting a mix of indie gems, big-budget dramas, and exciting directorial debuts.
1. Santosh (2024)
Director: Sandhya Suri* | *Cast: Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar, Nawal Shukla*
A gripping crime drama about a newly widowed woman who takes on her late husband’s role as a police constable in rural Northern India. Her life takes a turn when she gets involved in the investigation of a young girl’s murder. With a strong feminist undertone and powerful performances, this one left a lasting impression at Cannes.
2. Sabar Bonda (2025)
Director: Rohan Kanawade* | *Cast: Bhushaan Manoj, Suraaj Suman, Jayshri Jagtap*
A Marathi indie film set in the rugged countryside of western India, where a city-dweller navigating his father’s mourning rituals forms a unique bond with a struggling local farmer. Following the success of *Girls Will Be Girls* at Sundance, this film’s international selection has created high expectations.
3. Lahore 1947 (2025)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi* | *Cast: Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Preity Zinta*
A Partition-era drama produced by Aamir Khan, promising an intense retelling of history. With music by Javed Akhtar and A.R. Rahman, and based on the renowned play *Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya, O Jamyai Nai*, this film has high potential despite the director’s mixed track record.
4. Happy Patel
Director: Vir Das, Kavi Shastri* | *Cast: Vir Das, Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta*
Comedian Vir Das makes his directorial debut with a spy thriller. Given his sharp wit and contemporary storytelling style, this film has sparked curiosity about how he blends humor with high-stakes action.
5. Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal* | *Cast: Triptii Dimri, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Vipin Sharma*
Details of the plot remain undisclosed, but with director Shazia Iqbal at the helm—known for her nuanced take on storytelling—the sequel is expected to offer a fresh take on Indian romance dramas, steering clear of the flaws of its predecessor.
6. Welcome to the Jungle (2025)
Director: Ahmed Khan* | *Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani*
A high-energy action film featuring police officers on a mission to capture a notorious criminal. With Ahmed Khan’s signature chaotic action sequences and Farhad Samji’s writing, this promises to be an entertaining ride.
Each of these films brings something unique, from thought-provoking indie stories to grand Bollywood spectacles. 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Indian cinema.
