Aseem Chhabra ranks the Best of 2025's films that released in theatres, or went directly to OTT platforms.
Nyrraa Banerji's reason for staying away from Bollywood for a while: 'In Bollywood, there was a phase where all the movies were getting very bold. Physical intimacy was the criteria at that time for films. I didn't want to be part of that.'
The famed Norwegian actress and director added she was impressed with the culture and tradition visible in India's cinema.
'It is truly the icing on the cake. I couldn't be happier. My family and I are celebrating. We've never been happier.'
'Somewhere our society's collective morality is lost. There's a kind of moral confusion in our society which reflects in our films.' 'Filmmakers are hiding behind romance, ghost stories, murder mysteries and sex. No film is looking at social issues.'
'People are understanding it and taking it in the right way. If they watch the film completely, they will understand.'
Christmas Karma narrowly misses being a highway pile up, mainly because its heart is in the right place, believes Deepa Gahlot.
'Dhoom Machale...' The exuberant, celebratory track from the 2004 blockbuster Dhoom rounded off Zohran Mamdani's victory speech, more evidence that New York's newly elected mayor embraces his many identities with a light-as-souffle touch.
'I feel this initiative will help makers like me to tell a lot of stories. I feel very sorry that it's happening so late. If it had happened 10 years ago, I would have told 10 or 12 more stories.'
Exactly a year after Pushpa 2 released in theatres, Dhurandhar has made history at the box office.
Where does Kamal Haasan stand on the issue of imposition of Hindi in the south? "I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra," is his quick reply.
'I don't regret anything I've done in my life.'
'People are watching Gujarati films along with these huge films. I still can't process it.'
Kamini Kaushal, who began her career with the 1946 classic Neecha Nagar and went on to act in a host of films right till 2022, passed away in her Mumbai home on Thursday night.
AVM Studios launched the careers of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
'Sholay had a sargam of human emotions.'
Dharmendra remained one of the most loved stars of all time, even when his movies tapered off, and age caught up with him.
Indian films are set to cross A$39 million at the Australian box office in 2025, outperforming local cinema and becoming the third-largest after the US and UK.
'This story has been always there since my childhood because of missing people.' 'I remember a family member who disappeared and I kept wondering what happened to him.'
Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 may be a comedy filled with chaos, but in its indirect way, it speaks about a time when the Constitution mattered more than one's religion and when the idea of India was larger than personal hate, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
'Madhubala in Kala Pani looks divine and yet, she's not just there for glamour.' 'In Do Raaste, the character of Neelambari (played by Bindu) isn't a heroine in the traditional sense but she has such a pivotal role.' 'That Raj Khosla gave a non-heroine such a central role, instead of the heroine, says a lot about how he valued female characters.'
Dharmendra's demise means the loss of one of the biggest icons ever in the Hindi film firmament.
'Despite acting in some 100 films and television plays, people still remember the daadi of Hum Log.'
'It feels like the universe gently whispered, 'Pause, don't rush away yet, there's a story waiting for you here'.'
Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.
Bollywood stars always make for good pictures but catching them in their most unguarded, candid moments is what makes for great pictures.
The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.
Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani is all set to make her Telugu debut opposite Mahesh Babu's nephew Jaya Krishna Ghattamaneni, in a film to be directed by Ajay Bhupathi.
The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.
2026 is all set to be big, when it comes to movie releases from Bollywood as well as pan-India releases from Tamil and Telugu cinema.
'I didn't want to do a highlight reel with greatest hits of Yash Raj Films.' 'I wanted to do an actual story.'
It's good to see Huma Qureshi help create a film which is as charming as it is empowering, without taking on the stridency that so many women-oriented films invariably adopt, notes Deepa Gahlot.
'This leading filmmaker told me: "Don't let the industry cake you up with makeup and wigs. You are a breath of fresh air".'
As 2025 draws to a close, film folk recap the year, and tell Subhash K Jha what excites them most about 2026.
The 17-year-old actor, who made waves with her debut performance in 2024's Laapataa Ladies, makes yet another striking debut this year: At Cannes.
Aditya Pancholi has claimed he was the first choice to play the lead role opposite Madhuri Dixit in Tezaab, a role that eventually went to Anil Kapoor.
'Dilipsaab was an interesting mix of spontaneity and stylised acting.'
'It's heartening to see that the festive energy is being driven not only by star-led blockbusters but also by fresh, content-rich films.'
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
Subhash K Jha remembers his conversations with movie legend Manoj Kumar, who passed into the ages on April 4, 2025.
