Aseem Chhabra ranks the Best of 2025's films that released in theatres, or went directly to OTT platforms.
There were quite a few female-led shows in 2025, and actresses got to play some interesting, non-cliched parts.
Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma was forced to address an event in the dark in his hometown Mau due to a power outage. The incident, which went viral on social media, led to action against four power department officials, including the suspension of two. Sharma was in Mau for a three-day event marking eight years of the BJP government in the state. The power failure lasted for hours, causing inconvenience to the locals and creating an awkward situation for the minister. While some BJP workers alleged that the outage was deliberate, locals praised Sharma for his composure and humility.
Breaking the nearly three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and also vanquished the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in the Pune civic body.
There was a time when wearing denim on denim was fashion's biggest crime. It was too matchy, too risky and so-not-approved by the fashion police.
The BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will contest the January 15 polls to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune municipal corporations separately after seat-sharing talks failed. Leaders from both parties are blaming each other for the breakup. Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra will be held on January 15.
Australian Alex de de Minaur advanced to the semi-finals, where he will face Jannik Sinner.
Men losing money, men turning money into superpower and lots more stranger things on OTT this week. Sukanya Verma lists them out.
A Rapido bike taxi rider was arrested in Kalyan, Thane, for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman passenger and stealing Rs 1000 from her. The incident has also raised concerns about unauthorized bike taxi services and violations of transport regulations.
'Once when he was on a flight, the plane hit an air-pocket.' 'The turbulence outside caused it to see-saw violently which caused a lot of panic inside. While his co-passengers were crying and praying for their lives, Salil kaku was writing a song in his head.'
Today's situation in the Shaksgam Valley is the consequence of what happened in Gilgit in 1947. But is India ready to militarily get back its territories? asks Claude Arpi.
Passengers may think they are just booking a ticket, but airlines' clever design tricks are quietly picking their pockets.
'The recipe is very simple with very few ingredients, but the end product is just amazing and mouthwatering. They are visually very attractive with their vibrant dark pink/red colour.'
'Had I been launched as a leading actor, it would probably have worked better.' 'Prabhu Devaa came eight years after me. Maybe if a filmmaker had thought of a film for me like the ones he got, my career would have been a different trajectory.'
rediffGURU Komal Jethmalani, a nutrionist and weight loss expert with nearly three decades of experience, offers personalised recommendations to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced a significantly relaxed dress code for next month's World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, "allowing classic non-distressed jeans for both men and women", a year after the 'jeansgate' storm involving Magnus Carlsen at the same event.
It's raining sequels on OTT this week, but that's not all. Sukanya Verma lists everything you can watch.
Dhurandhar does not ask audiences to cheer blindly, notes Kumar Abhishek. It asks them to see how power operates in grey zones, and at moral cost.
Falguni and Shane Peacock opened a new flagship at Jio World Plaza, Mumbai, and the guest list was nothing less than a fashion parade.
Dhurandhar may not have the dark realism of a spy story which a web show can manage. But it does not have the flamboyance either, that has come to be associated with espionage movies, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The supernatural-mystery stuff is well balanced with Baramulla's more grounded, socially realistic elements, making it one of the most unique and creatively well-realised Hindi films Mayur Sanap has seen in a long time.
A trainer aircraft crashed in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh, after hitting a power line, injuring the pilot and flight instructor. The aircraft belonged to Redbird Flight Training Academy.
Raat Akeli Hai 2 is watchable, but considering the strength of its predecessor, it could have been more engaging, with a greater sense of urgency and a sharper, cleverer story, notes Mayur Sanap.
Chef Sneha Singhi presents a millet version with cucumber for an extra boost of goodness. Once the pre-prep is done, her Cucumber Millet Khichdi will be ready in under 15 minutes and looks so yum, you would want a bowl right away.
There are some shows that kept us hooked from start to finish on the strength of their storytelling or a sizzling chemistry between the leads.
While the DMK depends on a 'silver sieve' of welfare schemes to stay in power, its support is slowly draining away under the weight of poor governance, corruption, and voters who are no longer satisfied with benefits alone and now want basic administration to work, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.
'The RSS, that advocated military strength, remained in the ideological doghouse for over half a century. Many of the RSS' responses even today carry the burden of this past,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
'Now there is no fight between us (Thackerays); now the fight is with them.'
Harmanpreet Kaur was the shining star in an otherwise bizarre show.
Tara Sutaria, who will next be seen in the Yash starrer Toxic alongside Nayanthara and Kiara Advani, turns 30 on November 19.
Authorities confirmed that the police operation remains ongoing, with security forces deployed across the area.
By not turning Mrs Deshpande into a monster like the notorious Hannibal Lecter, the show may have reduced the chills. Still, it's an efficiently made crime show, which depends on the stardom of Madhuri Dixit, observes Deepa Gahlot.
A train ride for Christmas? Why not?!
In 2025, OTT series were entertaining enough, even though most were in the crime genre.
'The audience has accepted Tere Ishk Mein with all its flaws. My film doesn't need any other validation.'
'I have been waiting for this day and I am very fortunate that I am going to wear the yellow jersey.'
Elnaaz Norouzi has a personal style that feels like a breath of fresh air. It is effortless and completely free-spirited.
Vrusshabha feels like a ChatGPT prompt gone wrong, where the lazy ask for a sure-shot 'Pan Indian' blockbuster formula gives us a flimsy period epic in the guise of an incompetently drawn 'reincarnation drama', observes Arjun Menon.
'If at all human beings require a religion, the future religion will be Hinduism.'
Twelve Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to amend the "commercially restrictive" clauses of its constitution during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 20, in another reminder that the domestic game may collapse if immediate steps are not taken.
