IMDb India has updated its list of the most anticipated Indian film of 2025 with the end of the first half of the year. The Internet Movie Database had first compiled and released the list in January, when Salman Khan's Sikandar had topped it. But now, with six months gone and many big films already released, the portal has come up with a new list, and this one is topped by a surprising entry.
The most anticipated Indian movie of 2025
According to IMDb, the list includes 'titles that were consistently the most popular with IMDb visitors between January 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025 among Indian movies with planned releases for the rest of the year'. The popularity is determined by the website's 'actual page views of more than 250 million monthly visitors'.
IMDb's new list of the most anticipated Indian movies of 2025 is topped by Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie. The action thriller, which stars 74-year-old Rajinikanth in the lead, is brimming with stars, including cameos from Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, and Upendra. The film also features Pooja Hegde, Shruti Haasan, Kishore, Soubin Shahir, and Sathyaraj in pivotal roles. According to its logline, the film "delves into a man's relentless quest for vengeance since youth, driven by righting past wrongs, shaping his very existence". It is slated for release on August 14.
How Rajinikanth beat younger superstars
Rajinikanth is the original superstar. But it is surprising that even at 74, he has the box office draw to upstage younger challengers. Films featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR (War 2), Prabhas (The RajaSaab) and Alia Bhatt (Alpha) are all behind Coolie in this list. Part of the appeal is Rajinikanth's collaboration with Lokesh, who has delivered back-to-back blockbusters in Vikram and Leo. Having given both Kamal Haasan and Vijay their biggest hits, the director has now partnered with Rajini, raising anticipation. The cherry on top are the cameos, with one big name from three major industries - Aamir (Hindi), Nagarjuna (Telugu), and Upendra (Kannada). This has given Coolie a pan-India flavour that no Rajini film has had since 2.0 (which starred Akshay Kumar).
{{/usCountry}}Rajinikanth is the original superstar. But it is surprising that even at 74, he has the box office draw to upstage younger challengers. Films featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR (War 2), Prabhas (The RajaSaab) and Alia Bhatt (Alpha) are all behind Coolie in this list. Part of the appeal is Rajinikanth's collaboration with Lokesh, who has delivered back-to-back blockbusters in Vikram and Leo. Having given both Kamal Haasan and Vijay their biggest hits, the director has now partnered with Rajini, raising anticipation. The cherry on top are the cameos, with one big name from three major industries - Aamir (Hindi), Nagarjuna (Telugu), and Upendra (Kannada). This has given Coolie a pan-India flavour that no Rajini film has had since 2.0 (which starred Akshay Kumar).
{{/usCountry}}“This recognition from IMDb reflects the incredible excitement our fans have shown worldwide,” said Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director of Coolie, “The reunion of legends Rajinikanth and Sathyaraj after 38 years has created magic on screen, and we hope what we've created will resonate with audiences and match their expectations.”
The other films in IMDb's top 10
Following Coolie is Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR's mouth-watering clash in Ayan Mukerji's War 2, which also releases in theatres on August 14, setting up Indian cinema's biggest clash in recent years. At number 3 is the return of vintage Prabhas in The RajaSaab, the star's first horror comedy.
Two romances - Shanaya Kapoor's debut, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, and Ahaan Panday's debut, Saiyaara - round up the top 5. Three other Hindi films feature in the top 10 - Baaghi 4 (#6), Son of Sardaar 2 (#7), and Alpha (#10). Mohanlal-starrer Hridayapoorvam is at number 8, while Mahavatar Narsimha (#9) sneaks in as the only animated movie in the list.
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