2025 Best Indian Films You Might Have Missed

As 2025 reaches its midpoint, Indian cinema has shown its versatility with strong performances across different languages and regions. This year, success didn’t only come from Bollywood or blockbuster hits. Many critically praised films came from regional industries, breaking stereotypes and winning hearts.

Bollywood’s Chhaava was a massive box office success, earning over ₹780 crore globally. However, critics pointed out that it depended more on religious emotions than solid storytelling. On the other hand, Kesari Chapter 2, featuring Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, offered a strong courtroom drama. Though it didn’t earn much at the box office, it was appreciated for its bold writing and performances.

In Telugu cinema, Court: State vs. A Nobody created a buzz with its intense take on legal injustice and class inequality. While it found appreciation in urban areas, it couldn’t reach mass audiences. Tamil film Tourist Family, a simple story about a small-town family navigating immigration, made a surprising mark by collecting ₹82.5 crore globally. It didn’t rely on big stars but touched people with its emotional story.

From Malayalam cinema, legendary actor Mohanlal returned with Thudaram. Though reviews were mixed, the film collected over ₹250 crore. It stayed in theatres longer than expected and delayed its OTT release due to its popularity. This shows that star-driven films can still succeed in today’s OTT-dominated world.

In summary, 2025 has highlighted that great films don’t always come from big budgets or star-studded casts. Regional films are becoming stronger, bringing original stories and diverse perspectives to the screen. With bold ideas and meaningful content, Indian cinema is growing beyond Bollywood’s formula and proving that good storytelling matters most.