Performances that deserve to be gazed beyond box-office and opening numbers. These are some performances that needed more attention and applause
Not all great performances arrive with noise, virality, or award chatter. Some slip through quietly, doing the real work while the spotlight looks elsewhere. Here’s looking at actors who delivered some of 2025’s strongest work. Performances that deserve to be gazed beyond box-office and opening numbers. These are some performances that needed more attention and applause. Here they are:
Monika Panwar- Khuaf
In Khauf, Monika Panwar proved how powerful stillness can be. Her performance relied on internalized fear rather than spectacle, making the horror feel personal and deeply unsettling. Genre performances are rarely celebrated for acting craft, but this one deserved far more attention.
Shalini Pandey- Netflix’s Dabba Cartel
Shalini Pandey avoided the obvious choices in
_Dabba Cartel_. Instead of playing to type, she opted for nuance, letting silences, hesitation, and moral conflict do the heavy lifting. It was a performance that rewarded patience and proved her evolution as an actor.
Tillotama Shome-
Paatal Lok 2
Tillotama Shome continues to be one of the most precise actors working today. In Paatal Lok Season 2, she made every scene her own and emotionally exact. Even when the narrative moved around her, her presence lingered long after.
Nikita Dutta- Jewel Thief
Nikita Dutta had a quietly impressive year, showing range without drawing attention to it. In Jewel Thief, she balanced polish and emotional opacity, while Khakhee demanded grit and restraint. The shift never felt forced, just confident. It’s the kind of versatility that often gets overlooked because it looks effortless.
Triptii Dimri- Dhadak 2
Triptii has emerged as one of the most in-demand actresses of today’s time, and her performance in
_Dhadak 2_ placed her in a bigger mainstream world. The actress brings a unique sense of honesty through her performance in a film that’s filled with love, heartbreak, and conflict, and she pulls it off with quiet power that keeps you hooked to every frame.
Fatima Sana Shaikh- Gustaakh Ishq
_Metro In Dino_ pulled Fatima Sana Shaikh in a world where love is messy, jagged at the edges and weighed down by circumstances. With an incredible range, she showcases love that’s not just smooth, but also makes you believe in the ache that accompanies.
Yami Gautam- HAQ
In HAQ, Yami Gautam served a performance built on conviction, intensity and emotional clarity. She gave a reminder of her ability to shoulder a film that’s bold and reflects purpose. Through HAQ, Yami solidified herself as Hindi cinema’s most consistent and compelling dramatic performer.
Kriti Sanon- Tere Ishk Mein
In
_Tere Ishk Mein_, Kriti Sanon served one of her most restrained performances by bringing vulnerability, strength and quiet intensity to a character grappling with love, loss and self-discovery. Her performance reflected her growth as a performer, earning incredible praise from the audience and critics alike.
Sanya Malhotra- MRS
In Mrs, Sanya Malhotra proved to be one of the most dependable performers. Her role in the film was highlighted through emotional honesty and nuanced expressions, and Sanya enhanced it through warmth and realism – all while amplifying the film’s emotional world.
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