Saiyaara’s breakout duo Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have taken over IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025 list, securing the top two spots ahead of some of Bollywood’s biggest names. Their remarkable rise signals a major shift in Indian cinema, as fresh faces with natural chemistry and modern appeal now outshine long-established superstars.
1. Ahaan Panday: Bollywood’s New Phenomenon
Born in Mumbai to the extended Bachchan family, Ahaan Panday (born 1998) is cousin of Ananya Panday. After years of music videos, modelling, and theatre training, he made his debut lead in Saiyaara. His portrayal of the passionate romantic hero earned universal acclaim, with critics praising his “natural screen presence” and “magnetic charm.” His IMDb page saw 15M searches in 2025 alone, making him the platform’s fastest-rising actor.
2. Aneet Padda: The Breakout Sensation
Aneet Padda (born 2001) was discovered through national beauty pageants and trained at Yash Raj Films’ acting academy after rejecting IIT coaching. Her nuanced performance as the strong-willed small-town heroine in Saiyaara became the film’s emotional core. Her viral dance reels (500M+ views) and authenticity made her Gen Z’s favorite newcomer.
IMDb’s Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025
1. Ahaan Panday (Saiyaara)
IMDb Searches: 15M+ | Profile Views: 45M | First Lead Role Changed Everything
2. Aneet Padda (Saiyaara)
IMDb Searches: 14.2M | Profile Views: 42M | Pageant Queen to Star
3. Shah Rukh Khan
IMDb Searches: 12.8M | Profile Views: 38M | Bollywood Comeback King
4. Samantha Ruth Prabhu
IMDb Searches: 11.5M | Profile Views: 35M | Spy Thriller Dominator
5. Dhanush
IMDb Searches: 11.2M | Profile Views: 33M | Pan-India Sensation
6. Manoj Bajpayee
IMDb Searches: 10.8M | Profile Views: 30M | OTT King’s Reign Continues
7. Vijay Deverakonda
IMDb Searches: 10.1M | Profile Views: 28M | Tollywood’s Global Star
8. Rashmika Mandanna
IMDb Searches: 9.8M | Profile Views: 27M | National Crush Status Locked
9. Sunny Deol
IMDb Searches: 9.3M | Profile Views: 25M | Action Hero’s Triumphant Return
10. Kriti Sanon
IMDb Searches: 8.9M | Profile Views: 24M | Delhi Girl’s Rise Continues
Saiyaara: The Film That Changed Everything
Directed by Sameer Saxena, produced by Dharma Productions, Saiyaara blended small-town romance with stellar supporting performances from Pankaj Tripathi and Neena Gupta. The Pritam-Arijit Singh chartbusters dominated streaming, with the title track becoming the year’s most-streamed romantic ballad.
2025’s Industry Shift: Debutants Beat Superstars
Ahaan and Aneet’s chart dominance over Shah Rukh Khan and Samantha signals Bollywood’s generational turnover. Gen Z audiences prioritize on-screen chemistry and authenticity over star power. Saiyaara’s organic success through social media, viral moments, and word-of-mouth proves debutants can achieve superstardom in 2025.
With multi-language remakes discussed, international distribution deals signed, and brand endorsements pouring in, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda represent Bollywood’s exciting new chapter where one magical film can launch two global stars simultaneously.
