It’s that time of year when IMDb unveils its list of the Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025 — and unsurprisingly, the top two spots have been claimed by Saiyaara leads Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. For the first time ever, IMDb has also released a list of the Most Popular Indian Directors, with Mohit Suri leading the rankings thanks to his breakthrough romance this year.
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are most popular stars of 2025
Ahaan Panday said in a statement: “This is deeply humbling for me. To be ranked No 1 on the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025 list with my first film is nothing short of a dream come true and a full-circle Paulo Coelho moment. But truly, if anything, this recognition makes me more aware of the responsibility I have towards my craft, and at the same time, it excites me for what’s to come.”
Aneet Padda expressed similar gratitude: “Being recognised by IMDb as one of the Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025 still feels a little unreal. Saiyaara changed my life in ways I am only beginning to understand, and to know that people across countries and languages connected with my work means more to me than I can explain. I am deeply grateful to everyone who found something to love in Vaani. Your warmth has made this moment possible for me.”
Earlier this year, the Saiyaara duo also received the IMDb Breakout Star STARmeter Award.
IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025
1. Ahaan Panday – Saiyaara
2. Aneet Padda – Saiyaara
3. Aamir Khan – Sitaare Zameen Par
4. Ishaan Khatter – Homebound
5. Lakshya – Ba****ds of Bollywood
6. Rashmika Mandanna – Chhavva, Sikander, Thama, The Girlfriend
7. Kalyani Priyadarshan – Lokah: Chapter 1
8. Triptii Dimri – Dhadak 2
9. Rukmini Vasanth – Kantara
10. Rishab Shetty – Kantara
Ishaan Khatter and Triptii Dimri are the only two performers to return to the rankings after featuring in the 2024 list.
Aryan Khan, who made his directorial debut with the Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, becomes the youngest filmmaker to appear in these rankings — and notably, the only series director on the list. Rishab, who directed Kantara’s second iteration this year didn’t get a mention in the director’s list. However, he appears on number 10 slot in actor’s list for the same film in which he also starred.
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Neeraj Ghaywan’s inclusion follows the selection of his film Homebound as India’s official submission to the 2026 Oscars.
IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Directors of 2025
1. Mohit Suri – Saiyaara
2. Aryan Khan – Ba****ds of Bollywood
3. Lokesh Kanagaraj – Coolie
4. Anurag Kashyap – Nishaanchi
5. Prithviraj Sukumaran – L2: Empuraan
6. RS Prasanna – Sitaare Zameen Par
7. Anurag Basu – Metro… In Dino
8. Dominic Arun – Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
9. Laxman Utekar – Chhaava
10. Neeraj Ghaywan – Homebound
How does IMDb rank these celebrities?
IMDb’s rankings are determined through its STARmeter, which measures popularity based on page views on the site. The metric uses a proprietary algorithm that reflects what and who audiences are searching for on IMDb, updating weekly.
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The STARmeter highlights who is trending, rather than indicating who has been the “best” or most critically successful performer or filmmaker of the year.
