The year 2025 saw a flood of content across OTT platforms and theatres, where a few big-ticket releases often overshadowed smaller, meaningful cinema. Amidst the noise, several exceptional films with powerful narratives and stellar performances slipped under the radar. Here is a look at six such Hindi movies that deserved more attention but went largely unnoticed by the mainstream audience.
Powerful Dramas Exploring Human Resilience
One of the most poignant stories of the year was Abhishek Bachchan's ‘Kaalidhar Laapata’. The film, which began streaming on Zee5 from December 2025, centres on a middle-aged man fighting a progressive degenerative disease. His world shatters when he uncovers his family's plan to abandon him. In a desperate bid to escape pity and neglect, he vanishes into the chaotic world of a travelling fair. The movie features compelling performances by Nimrat Kaur and Daivik Baghela alongside Bachchan.
Another stark narrative was Sanya Malhotra's 'Mrs.', a Hindi remake of the acclaimed Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. Directed by Arati Kadav, it follows Richa, a newlywed woman grappling with the crushing monotony and invisible labour of domestic life. The film masterfully turns relentless kitchen chores and mundane sounds into metaphors for suffocation, tracing her emotional breaking point with remarkable sensitivity and restraint.
Heartwarming Tales of Dreams and Relationships
Celebrating the spirit of grassroots filmmaking, ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ tells the inspiring story of a group of friends dreaming of making a movie in their small town. Fueled by passion more than resources, their journey becomes a vibrant tribute to friendship, ambition, and local artistry. The film, featuring Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora, is available for streaming on Prime Video.
Marking the directorial debut of Boman Irani, ‘The Mehta Boys’ presented a heartfelt family drama. Co-written with Oscar-winner Alexander Dinelaris Jr., the film stars Irani as Shiv Mehta and Avinash Tiwary as his estranged son, Amay. Forced to spend 48 intense hours together, their unresolved conflicts surface, leading to unexpected understanding. The cast is bolstered by a strong performance from Puja Sarup as Shiv's pragmatic daughter, Anu.
Stories of Determination and Daring Missions
The sports drama ‘Chidiya’ revolves around two young brothers from a modest background who dream of playing badminton. Their journey highlights perseverance, sibling bonds, and the quiet determination to overcome socio-economic limitations. Featuring a talented ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Amruta Subhash, and Inaamulhaq, this inspiring film is also streaming on Zee5.
On a completely different note, ‘The Diplomat’ offered a tense, action-packed narrative. The film follows an Indian envoy, played by John Abraham, on a dangerous cross-border mission to rescue a woman trapped in a forced marriage. As he navigates hostile terrain and complex political landscapes, the mission's stakes become deeply personal. Co-starring Sadia, this thriller is available to watch on Netflix.
These six films, each unique in genre and treatment, represent the diverse storytelling that flourished in 2025. While they may not have garnered massive box office collections or trending hashtags, they offer rich narratives and powerful performances that make them worthy of discovery by discerning viewers on digital platforms.
