As 2025 draws to a close, Google India has released its annual list of the most searched personalities, offering a definitive look at who captured the nation's digital curiosity. The tech giant announced four names that dominated search trends throughout the year, comprising three actors and one prominent YouTuber. The list is topped by veteran Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, with debutant sensations Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda securing top-four spots, fueled by their blockbuster debut 'Saiyaara'.
Saif Ali Khan's Harrowing Year Leads to Top Search Spot
Saif Ali Khan has emerged as the most searched actor on Google in India for 2025, a year marked by a terrifying personal ordeal. The actor's search volume skyrocketed following a violent incident in February 2025. An intruder broke into his home and entered his son Jehangir Ali Khan's room. Saif bravely confronted the assailant to protect his child but was stabbed in the back during the struggle, sustaining a serious spine injury.
His courageous act and subsequent recovery kept him in the headlines for months. The public's concern and admiration translated into relentless online searches for updates on his health and the legal proceedings against the arrested attacker. This sustained news cycle propelled him to the pinnacle of Google's annual search rankings for celebrities.
Saiyaara's Debutants Storm the Search Charts
Claiming the second and fourth positions respectively are the fresh faces of the year, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The duo made a sensational entry into Bollywood with their debut film, 'Saiyaara', directed by Mohit Suri and produced by the prestigious Yash Raj Films. The studio has a storied history of launching major stars like Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma, and this latest pairing proved no exception.
The film's massive box office success was a primary driver of their online popularity. However, their search numbers were further amplified by persistent rumours of a real-life romance brewing between the on-screen couple. While Ahaan hails from a film family as the cousin of Ananya Panday, Aneet's journey as an outsider who auditioned and won the lead role added to her compelling narrative, making both of them constant subjects of public intrigue and Google queries.
YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia Rounds Out the Top Four
The third spot on the list belongs to YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, marking the only non-actor in the top four most searched celebrities of 2025. His year was dominated by controversy. He faced severe backlash and legal trouble after making a vulgar remark on comedian Samay Raina's show 'India's Got Latent'.
The incident sparked widespread outrage on social media, leading to multiple FIRs being filed against him. His popular podcast, 'The Ranveer Show', was temporarily suspended by a court order. The saga continued to make news until March 2025, when the Supreme Court permitted him to resume his show, albeit with strict conditions to uphold "morality and decency" in his content. This legal rollercoaster kept him persistently in the search limelight.
Google's Year in Search report for 2025 ultimately paints a picture of a nation searching for stories of resilience, sensational new talent, and controversial media figures. The list reflects how real-life events, blockbuster entertainment, and digital age controversies intertwine to shape India's collective curiosity.
