2025 gave Bollywood some massive hits. The box office roared. Social media buzzed. But while everyone was busy dissecting the latest star vehicle or dance number, a handful of brilliant films slipped through the cracks. These movies did not arrive with fanfare. They did not have massive marketing budgets or celebrity-studded premieres. Some premiered at international film festivals before quietly landing on streaming platforms. Others got limited theatrical releases that barely lasted a week. A few were dumped on OTT without much noise. Yet these films carried stories that mattered. Performances that stunned. Direction that pushed boundaries. They represented the kind of cinema that makes you think, feel and remember long after the credits roll. Here are the underrated Hindi films of 2025 that deserved so much more attention than they got. If cinema is your thing, this list is mandatory viewing. Share it with every film buff who complains that good movies do not exist anymore.
1. Stolen
Credits: The Hindu
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The Story That Grabs You By The Throat
Stolen opens at a remote railway station in rural India where two urban brothers witness a tribal woman’s baby being kidnapped. What starts as a moral dilemma quickly spirals into a nightmare chase through hostile terrain. Gautam played by Abhishek Banerjee is a wealthy, impatient man who just wants to get to his mother’s wedding. His brother Raman portrayed by Shubham Vardhan is the idealistic one who insists on helping Jhumpa, the desperate mother. Their decision to assist her turns them into suspects. Suddenly they are not the rescuers. They are the accused. Corrupt cops, mob justice and neutral bystanders turn the journey into a brutal test of survival. The film runs like a tightly wound thriller but underneath the tension it asks uncomfortable questions about class, privilege and who gets to be believed in India.
Why It Works
Director Karan Tejpal does not waste a single frame. The pacing is relentless. The rural landscape feels harsh and unforgiving. There are no melodramatic speeches or convenient plot resolutions. Stolen respects its audience enough to let the story speak for itself. Abhishek Banerjee who became a household name through comedic roles in Stree and Paatal Lok delivers a performance that is raw and vulnerable. This is not the lovable sidekick. This is a man forced to confront his own prejudices and fears. The film had Anurag Kashyap, Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani and Vikramaditya Motwane as executive producers which explains the sharp storytelling and refusal to compromise. It premiered on Prime Video in June 2025 with minimal promotion. Most viewers discovered it by accident. Those who did watch it called it the most intense Hindi rural thriller since NH10. That comparison is not an exaggeration.
The Reception Gap
Critics praised Stolen for its unflinching look at systemic corruption and class divides. It won a 3.5 out of 4 star review from Access Bollywood which called it gripping and morally complex. But general audiences barely registered its existence. The film did not trend on social media. It did not spark memes or viral moments. In a year dominated by loud star driven projects, a quiet film about real India and real problems never stood a chance. That does not make it any less essential. Stolen is proof that Hindi cinema can tackle serious subjects without losing narrative drive. It is a film that stays with viewers long after it ends. Do not miss this one. It is the kind of cinema that reminds you why movies matter.
2. Sister Midnight
Credits: IMDb
Where To Watch: Theatrical Release (May 2025)
The Marriage From Hell Gets A Darkly Comic Spin
Sister Midnight is not your typical Bollywood romance. This is a pitch black comedy about a woman named Uma who gets trapped in an arranged marriage she never wanted. Radhika Apte plays Uma with a mix of deadpan humor and simmering rage. The film opens with Uma barely speaking. She moves through her new life like a ghost. Her husband is clueless. Her in-laws are suffocating. Nothing about this marriage feels right. Then things get weird. And violent. And completely unpredictable. Director Karan Kandhari makes his feature debut with this film and he swings for the fences. Sister Midnight is audacious, strange and unapologetically bold. It does not hold your hand. It does not explain itself. It just throws you into Uma’s nightmare and lets you figure it out.
Why It Stands Out
The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight section. It was later nominated for four British Independent Film Awards and a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. That is massive recognition for a Hindi language indie film. The Guardian called it a deliciously macabre Mumbai marriage gone wrong black comedy. Radhika Apte who is known for challenging roles delivers one of her best performances. She conveys so much through silence. Her body language tells the story when words fail. The minimal dialogue especially in the first ten minutes highlights Uma’s alienation. Kandhari opts for visual storytelling over exposition which makes the film feel cinematic rather than theatrical. Sister Midnight released in Indian theaters on May 30, 2025. The theatrical run was limited. Most tier two and tier three cities never got it. The film catered to urban audiences familiar with dark indie cinema. It was not designed to be a crowd pleaser. That is both its strength and the reason it stayed under the radar.
The Cultural Conversation It Started
Sister Midnight sparked discussions about arranged marriages, female autonomy and the expectations placed on women in Indian society. It is the kind of film that divides audiences. Some found it brilliant. Others found it too strange. But no one walked out indifferent. The film proves that Hindi cinema can experiment with tone, structure and narrative without losing its identity. Radhika Apte continues to be one of the boldest actors working in Indian cinema today. She chooses scripts that challenge her and challenge viewers. Sister Midnight is a testament to that fearless approach. If quirky dark comedies are your thing, this film is unmissable.
3. Agra
Credits: Screen Daily
Where To Watch: Theatrical Release (November 2025)
The Film That Makes Everyone Uncomfortable
Agra is not an easy watch. It is a deeply uncomfortable exploration of sexual dynamics within a family and the claustrophobic spaces of modern India. Director Kanu Behl who previously made Titli returns with another unflinching look at dysfunction and repression. The film stars debutant Mohit Agarwal as a young man working at a call center while still living with his parents. He is stuck. Frustrated. Consumed by wild fantasies, dating apps and hysterical self harm. The film does not shy away from the ugliness. It holds the camera steady on moments most films would cut away from. Agra is brutal, honest and deeply dystopian.
Festival Acclaim Meets Theatrical Struggle
Agra had its world premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. It won the Special Jury Award at MAMI 2023. It took home the IFFM Award for Best Indie Film and Best Actor at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It won Best Film and Best Actor at the 2024 New York Indian Film Festival. That is an impressive run on the global circuit. But when it finally released theatrically in India on November 14, 2025, it barely registered. The film got limited screens. Multiplexes in smaller cities avoided it. The subject matter is challenging. The tone is bleak. It is not the kind of film you recommend for a casual weekend watch. Yet Agra is essential viewing for anyone interested in bold fearless cinema. Kanu Behl does not make films to entertain. He makes films to provoke. Written by Behl and Atika Chohan, Agra examines how sexual repression and lack of physical space create emotional and psychological fractures. It is a portrait of a generation caught between tradition and modernity with no room to breathe.
Why It Matters
Films like Agra push the boundaries of what Hindi cinema can be. They refuse to follow formulas. They do not care about box office numbers. They exist to tell stories that need to be told even if those stories make audiences squirm. The film was developed at the PJLF Three Rivers Residency program in Italy and backed by the prestigious Cinema du Monde film fund. It is an Indo-French co-production by Saregama India Ltd, UFO Production and O28 Films. This is cinema as art. Cinema as social commentary. Cinema that refuses to look away. Agra will not be for everyone. But for those willing to engage with difficult subjects and challenging narratives, it is a masterpiece. Do not let this one disappear without a trace.
4. Mrs
Credits: The Hindu
Where To Watch: ZEE5
The Remake That Outshines The Original
Mrs is the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. The original was a cultural phenomenon in Kerala. It sparked conversations about domestic labor, gender roles and the invisible work women do. The Hindi version directed by Arati Kadav stars Sanya Malhotra as Richa, a woman who discovers that marriage is not partnership but servitude. The film follows her daily routine. Cooking. Cleaning. Serving. Smiling. Repeat. There are no dramatic confrontations at first. Just the slow suffocating realization that her life has shrunk to the size of a kitchen. Sanya Malhotra delivers a quietly devastating performance. She does not shout or cry. She just endures. Until she does not.
Why This Film Hits Different
Mrs does not preach. It observes. The camera lingers on mundane tasks. Washing dishes. Chopping vegetables. Scrubbing floors. The repetition becomes oppressive. Viewers feel the monotony. That is the point. The film forces audiences to witness the labor that society takes for granted. It is not subtle. It does not need to be. Mrs premiered on ZEE5 and became one of the most talked about OTT releases of 2025. Yet it did not get the mainstream buzz it deserved. Part of the problem is that the film challenges deeply ingrained social norms. It asks uncomfortable questions about marriage, family and tradition. Not everyone is ready for that conversation.
The Performance That Deserved Awards
Sanya Malhotra has been one of Bollywood’s most underrated actors for years. She broke out with Dangal then proved her range in Badhaai Ho, Ludo and Pagglait. Mrs gives her a role that demands subtlety and restraint. She nails it. Every glance. Every pause. Every moment of silent rebellion. This is career best work. The film should have been in every year end best of list. It should have dominated award conversations. Instead it quietly existed on a streaming platform while louder less interesting films grabbed headlines. Mrs is a reminder that some of the most important films are the ones that make us rethink our everyday lives. It is not escapism. It is a mirror. And what it reflects is not always pretty.
5. Crazxy
Credits: India TV News
Where To Watch: Theatrical Release / Digital Platforms
One Man One Car Pure Survival
Crazxy is a thriller stripped down to its bare essentials. One actor. One car. One increasingly desperate situation. The film stars Soham Shah in a role that demands everything from him. He plays a man trapped in his car in a scenario that gets more claustrophobic and terrifying as minutes pass. There is no ensemble cast to share the load. No elaborate set pieces. Just raw performance and mounting tension. The premise might sound simple but executing a single location thriller with one actor is incredibly difficult. The film has to hold attention without cutting away to subplots or secondary characters. Crazxy manages to do exactly that. It tests the audience’s patience in the best way possible. It forces viewers to sit with discomfort.
The Underdog That Deserved Better
Soham Shah has been around Bollywood for years but never got his due as a leading man. Crazxy gives him a showcase role and he rises to the challenge. The film got a limited theatrical release in 2025 before moving to digital platforms. It barely registered in mainstream conversations. Thriller fans who discovered it called it intense and nerve wracking. But the lack of star power and marketing meant most people never gave it a chance. Films like this prove that Bollywood can make tight, efficient thrillers without massive budgets. All it takes is a strong concept, a committed actor and a director who trusts the material. Crazxy has all three. If claustrophobic survival dramas are your thing, add this to your watchlist immediately.
6. Superboys Of Malegaon
Credits: The Hindu
Where To Watch: Theatrical / OTT Platforms
The Film About Filmmaking That Steals Hearts
Superboys of Malegaon is based on the true story of amateur filmmakers from Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra, who recreate Bollywood blockbusters with zero budget and maximum heart. The film celebrates the love of cinema, the audacity of dreams and the power of community. It is funny, heartwarming and deeply inspiring. The cast includes actors who might not be household names but deliver performances full of authenticity and charm. This is the kind of film that reminds viewers why they fell in love with movies in the first place.
Why It Got Lost In The Shuffle
Superboys of Malegaon premiered at film festivals where it received standing ovations. It won hearts everywhere it played. But when it came to commercial release, it struggled to find screens. Multiplexes prioritized big budget films. Smaller towns where the story would resonate most did not get access. The film eventually made its way to OTT but by then the momentum was lost. This is a tragedy because Superboys of Malegaon is exactly the kind of feel good cinema that audiences claim they want. It is original. It is heartfelt. It celebrates the underdog. Yet it could not compete with the noise of mainstream releases. If you love stories about dreamers, underdogs and the magic of movies, do not skip this gem.
7. The Storyteller
Credits: The Statesman
Where To Watch: Festival Circuit / Limited OTT
A Fable About Stories And Survival
The Storyteller is a meditative film about the power of narratives. It follows a traveling storyteller who moves through villages sharing tales that blend myth, history and imagination. The film is slow, deliberate and visually stunning. It does not rush. It does not pander. It asks viewers to slow down and immerse themselves in the world it creates. This is cinema as poetry. Every frame feels carefully composed. The pacing might frustrate viewers used to fast cuts and constant action. But for those willing to meet the film on its terms, The Storyteller offers a deeply rewarding experience.
The Festival Favorite That Never Found Its Audience
The Storyteller played at multiple international film festivals where it was praised for its visual beauty and narrative ambition. Critics called it a masterpiece of slow cinema. But slow cinema does not play well in commercial spaces. The film got a very limited release in India. Most people never got the chance to see it in theaters. It eventually appeared on niche streaming platforms but without any promotional push. The Storyteller is proof that not every great film is meant for mass consumption. Some films are made for specific audiences. For cinephiles who value craft, patience and artistry. If that sounds like you, seek this one out. It is unlike anything else released in 2025.
8. Chidiya
Credits: Hindustan Times
Where To Watch: OTT Platforms
A Small Film With A Big Heart
Chidiya translates to bird and the film uses that metaphor beautifully. It tells the story of a young girl in rural India who dreams of freedom in a world that constantly clips her wings. The film is quiet, intimate and deeply affecting. It does not rely on melodrama. It trusts small moments. A glance. A conversation. A gesture. Chidiya works because it feels real. The characters are not archetypes. They are people. Flawed, complex and trying their best in difficult circumstances. The film explores themes of gender, class and aspiration without ever feeling preachy.
Why It Flew Under The Radar
Chidiya had no stars. No big budget. No major studio backing. It was made by a team of passionate filmmakers who believed in the story. The film premiered quietly on an OTT platform with almost no marketing. A few critics noticed it and wrote glowing reviews. But in the endless scroll of content, it got buried. Chidiya deserved better. It is the kind of film that should be shown in schools. That should spark discussions. That should remind people that cinema can be both art and activism. If intimate character driven dramas are your preference, Chidiya is essential viewing.
9. Dhoom Dhaam
Credits: Rotten Tomatoes
Where To Watch: Netflix
The Wedding Comedy That Actually Has Depth
Dhoom Dhaam is billed as a wedding comedy but it is smarter than most films in that genre. It follows the chaos of a big fat Indian wedding while also examining family dynamics, generational conflicts and the pressure to perform happiness. The film has humor. It has heart. But it also has bite. The ensemble cast brings energy and authenticity. The writing balances comedy with genuine emotion. Dhoom Dhaam does not take the easy route. It earns its laughs and its tears.
The Netflix Release That Got Buried
Netflix dropped Dhoom Dhaam with minimal fanfare. It appeared on the platform. A few people watched it. Most scrolled past. The algorithm did not favor it. The promotional strategy was non existent. Yet the film works. It is entertaining. It is thoughtful. It is the kind of movie perfect for a lazy Sunday watch. Dhoom Dhaam proves that genre films can be both commercial and intelligent. But without proper support, even good films disappear into the void. If you are tired of brainless comedies, give this one a chance. It might surprise you.
10. The Mehta Boys
Credits: Variety
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
A Father Son Story That Breaks Your Heart
The Mehta Boys is about a young architect forced to spend two emotionally charged days with his estranged father after his mother’s death. The film does not offer easy resolutions. It sits with discomfort. Through arguments, humor and shared memories, the two men try to bridge years of hurt and misunderstanding. The performances are raw. The writing is sharp. The Mehta Boys is a film about family, grief and the difficulty of forgiveness. It does not sugarcoat. It does not manipulate. It just tells the truth.
Why It Deserved More Love
The Mehta Boys premiered on Amazon Prime Video and received positive reviews from those who watched it. But it never broke through to mainstream consciousness. Family dramas are hard sells unless they have major stars attached. This film had strong actors but no household names. It relied on word of mouth. That word of mouth never quite materialized. The Mehta Boys is a reminder that some of the best films are small, quiet and deeply personal. They do not need explosions or dance numbers. They just need honest storytelling and committed performances. If you appreciate character driven narratives, this film is a must watch.
The Bigger Problem
The fact that all these films struggled to find audiences reveals a larger issue in Indian cinema. The theatrical ecosystem is broken. Multiplexes prioritize big budget films. Smaller films get squeezed out. Even when they do get screens, they are gone within days if they do not open big. The rise of OTT was supposed to solve this problem. Streaming platforms were meant to be the great equalizer. But even on OTT, visibility is a challenge. Algorithms favor content that already has buzz. Films without stars or marketing budgets get buried. Critics can praise them. Film festivals can award them. But if audiences do not know they exist, they might as well not.
What Viewers Can Do
Seek out these films. Watch them. Talk about them. Share them with friends. Post about them on social media. Good cinema survives through word of mouth. Every view counts. Every recommendation matters. If people keep complaining that Bollywood only makes trash, they have to support the films that are not trash. It is that simple. These ten films represent the best of what Hindi cinema can be. Bold. Honest. Uncompromising. They deserve audiences. They deserve conversations. They deserve to be remembered as more than footnotes in a year dominated by blockbusters.
The Final Word
2025 gave Hindi cinema some incredible films. But most people never saw them. They were too busy chasing the next big release. Too distracted by star power and hype. The films on this list are proof that great cinema does not need massive budgets or famous faces. It just needs vision, courage and craft. Stolen. Sister Midnight. Agra. Mrs. Crazxy. Superboys of Malegaon. The Storyteller. Chidiya. Dhoom Dhaam. The Mehta Boys. Remember these names. Seek them out. Give them the attention they were denied. And next time a small film releases, do not wait for it to trend. Be the one who discovers it first. Be the one who tells everyone else. Because these films are worth fighting for. Tag a friend who loves cinema. Share this list. Start conversations. And most importantly, press play. These underrated gems are waiting.
