Year Ender 2025: Crazxy to Homebound — 7 Underrated Bollywood Films That Deserved More Love

The year 2025 was quietly responsible for the release of some of the most daring, creative, and thought-provoking Hindi films, even if many went unnoticed by the general public.

Shahid Kapoor anchored this psychological action thriller with a compelling portrayal of a cop suffering from memory loss while investigating a colleague’s murder. Deva balanced suspense, emotional depth, and tension to deliver a gripping cinematic experience. 

Its layered character study and dark, atmospheric tone set it apart from other high-profile releases. The soundtrack, subtle cinematography, and strategic promotional content complemented the film’s serious tone, making it a complete narrative experience despite being overshadowed at the box office.

A bold reimagining of a familiar title, Dhadak 2 subverted expectations by leaning into social commentary rather than pure romance. Starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri, the film used the story of two young lovers to probe caste injustice, identity, and systemic prejudice, taking inspiration from the acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal rather than following the original Dhadak’s plot. 

Despite a modest box‑office run, Dhadak 2 featured sincere performances and a grounded narrative that held emotional depth. Its attempt to blend romance with meaningful social themes made it a film that deserved more discussion and appreciation than it received.

A smart political thriller starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb, The Diplomat tackled India-Pakistan relations with nuance and intelligence. The film balanced high-stakes diplomacy with personal conflict, creating tension-filled sequences and layered performances. Its writing and pacing made it one of 2025’s most intelligent thrillers. 

Cinematography and production design enhanced the realism, while the marketing highlighted the film’s global political stakes. Despite its quality, it was largely overlooked by mainstream audiences, making it a hidden gem of the year.

One of 2025’s most emotionally resonant films, Homebound explored human connection, nostalgia, and the meaning of home with delicate precision. Its quiet narrative focused on subtle performances and intimate storytelling, creating an immersive emotional experience. While it lacked the spectacle of bigger releases, the film’s sensitive approach to relationships and belonging made it a standout in a year dominated by loud blockbusters. 

The film’s understated yet thoughtful marketing and visuals complemented the story, reinforcing its poignant, reflective tone and allowing audiences to truly engage with the characters’ inner worlds.

One of the most overlooked films of 2025, featuring what could be the most overlooked performance of the year by Sohum Shah. A gripping one-man-in-one-car thriller, it tested both the actor and the audience. While the ending didn’t work for everyone, the film remains a brave experiment in today’s era of formulaic, jingoistic cinema. Sohum Shah proved that Bollywood needs more risk-takers willing to push boundaries. The soundtrack is one of 2025’s most underrated, featuring Kishore Kumar, a revamped 'Goli Maar Bheje Mein', and the legendary Gulzar–Vishal Bharadwaj pairing. Paired with inventive music videos and striking marketing material, the project emerges as a full creative experience.

Mrs. a Hindi remake of the acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen was one of 2025’s most thought‑provoking OTT releases. Starring Sanya Malhotra as Richa, it followed the emotional journey of a trained dancer trying to balance her passion and identity after marriage, only to confront the weight of societal expectations and patriarchal norms. 

With sensitive direction from Arati Kadav and a nuanced central performance by Malhotra, Mrs. translated a powerful narrative about gender roles and personal freedom for a wider audience. Its quiet strength, thematic depth, and insight into everyday struggles made it one of the year’s most resonant yet underrated films.

A fearless exploration of intimacy, repression, and masculinity, Agra tackled societal taboos with honesty and layered storytelling. Set in a small town, the film’s raw performances and bold narrative choices made it one of 2025’s most daring cinematic experiments. It challenged mainstream Bollywood conventions by confronting uncomfortable themes head-on. Cinematography, music, and marketing all reflected the film’s intimate and thought-provoking tone, highlighting its status as an underappreciated but essential 2025 release.

Together, these seven films showcase Bollywood’s most experimental, daring, and emotionally resonant storytelling in 2025. They prove that Hindi cinema can still take risks, trust audiences with complex narratives, and embrace creative innovation — even when mainstream recognition is limited.

In a year dominated by loud spectacles and predictable formulas, 2025 quietly reminded audiences that cinema that challenges norms, takes risks, and dares to be different still exists — and these seven films are living proof.