Aryan Khan has officially beaten Shah Rukh Khan in popularity this year! The proof is in
Aryan Khan has been one of the most-talked-about celebrities in 2025. He made his directorial debut with the Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood. He is one of the most popular Indian directors.
Last Updated: 03.15 PM, Dec 03, 2025
As 2025 is ending, IMDb India has shared the list of the Most Popular Indian Directors along with many other categories. The Most Popular Indian Directors list has some of the most iconic filmmakers of Indian cinema, and now Aryan Khan has also become a part of it. While Shah Rukh Khan is missing from the top 10 Most Popular Indian stars of 2025, his son, Aryan, has officially made it to the top 10 Most Popular Indian Directors list.
Aryan Khan becomes youngest to enter IMDb's top 10 Most Popular Indian Directors list
The top 10 Most Popular Indian Directors list starts with Saiyaara director Mohit Suri. Starring two debutants, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the blockbuster film changed the trajectory of Indian cinema in 2025. Following Mohit, Aryan Khan comes in at the 2nd spot. His directorial debut series, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, received a phenomenal response from fans and critics.
It’s Aryan’s masterful directing that made The Ba***ds of Bollywood* one of the most-watched Indian shows on Netflix. The show stars Lakshya Lalwani, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, and Sahher Bambba, with an ensemble supporting cast of actors such as Mona Singh, Manoj Pahwa, Anya Singh, and Gautami Kapoor. The show also features high-profile cameos from Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and more. The Ba***ds of Bollywood grabbed attention for all the interesting Bollywood references, the unfiltered chaos of the actors, and more.
After Aryan Khan, the list has Lokesh Kanagaraj. His directorial Coolie, starring Rajinikanth, was released in 2025. Following him, the list includes directors such as Anurag Kashyap, who grabbed attention for Nishaanchi, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, who directed L2: Empuraan.
Apart from them, R.S. Prasanna, who directed Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par, is also one of the most popular Indian directors. Then comes Anurag Basu for directing Metro... In Dino, Dominic Arun for directing Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Laxman Utekar for blockbuster Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal, and last but not least, Neeraj Ghaywan for directing Homebound. Homebound is India's official Oscar entry for Best International Feature and it stars Vishal Jethwa, Ishaan Khatter, and Janhvi Kapoor.
Also Read: Saiyaara actors lead IMDb's Most Popular Indian Stars of 2025, only one Khan in top 10 | Full list
FAQs
Q. Who is the most popular Indian actor on IMDb?
A. Bollywood actor Ahaan Panday has been named as the most popular Indian actor on IMDb for the year 2025. He earned the top spot for his stellar performance in the Hindi romance drama Saiyaara, which was an instant hit among young audiences.
Q. Where to watch Saiyaara on OTT?
A. You can watch Saiyaara, starring young actors Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, on Netflix. Mohit Suri directs this 2025 musical drama, which is among the highest-grossers of the year.
Q. Has Kantara Chapter 1 released in OTT?
A. Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 released on Amazon Prime Video in October 2025. OTTplay Premium subscribers can also watch the epic Kannada film, which also stars Rukmini Vasanth, by topping up their plan to include Prime Video.