If 2025 proved anything, it’s that the loudest performances weren’t always the ones that stayed with us. This wasn’t a year of chest-thumping heroics or scene-chewing monologues. It was a year of control. Of actors trusting silence, restraint and inner tension to do the heavy lifting.
Hindi cinema may still be finding its footing, theatrically speaking, but across films and formats, male performances this year quietly raised the bar. These weren’t roles designed to dominate the screen. They were roles that occupied it with patience and honesty. Here are some of the male performances that truly stood out:
Aamir Khan in Sitaare Zameen Par
Aamir’s return didn’t feel like a comeback calculated for headlines. It felt personal. Sitaare Zameen Par asked for empathy more than spectacle, and Aamir leaned into that with generosity. The performance was open, gentle and deeply lived-in less about reclaiming stature and more about reconnecting with emotional purpose. It reminded us why restraint has always been his greatest strength.
Vicky Kaushal in Chhaava
Historical roles often invite excess, but Vicky resisted that temptation. In Chhaava, he carried the weight of legacy without letting it overwhelm the human core of the character. There was physical intensity, yes, but also silence, doubt and stillness. The performance felt grounded, never ornamental a balance that’s harder to achieve than it looks.
Rajkummar Rao in Maalik
Rajkummar thrives in moral grey zones, and Maalik played right into that instinct. His performance was precise and quietly unsettling, revealing itself in layers rather than declarations. Nothing felt overstated. He trusted the writing, trusted the pauses, and allowed discomfort to linger — the mark of an actor who knows exactly when to pull back.
Ishaan Khatter in Homebound
This was a defining year for Ishaan. In Homebound, he delivered a performance that felt emotionally naked without ever turning performative. Vulnerability came naturally, almost casually, as if the character’s inner conflicts were simply being observed rather than enacted. It’s the kind of work that stays with you because it never asks to be noticed.
Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year was Ranveer choosing restraint. Dhurandhar didn’t rely on flamboyance or volume. Instead, he played intensity on a simmer, letting emotion build beneath the surface. It felt like a conscious recalibration proof that presence doesn’t always need spectacle.
Ahan Panday in Saiyaara
For a debut year, Ahan showed notable emotional ease. Saiyaara required sincerity more than swagger, and he understood that instinctively. The performance felt unforced, particularly in romantic and vulnerable moments. Rather than announcing his arrival loudly, he quietly laid a foundation.
Rishab Shetty In Kantara: Chapter 1
Rishab’s performance wasn’t acted so much as inhabited. Drawing deeply from cultural, spiritual and physical roots, his work in Kantara: Chapter 1 felt elemental. He didn’t play the role he surrendered to it. Few performances this year felt as immersive or instinctive.
Shahid Kapoor In Deva
Shahid leaned into intensity with sharp precision. Deva showcased his ability to balance physical aggression with psychological complexity. The character was volatile but never chaotic. Every beat felt deliberate, reaffirming his comfort with darker, demanding roles.
John Abraham In The Diplomat
John delivered one of his most restrained performances to date. The Diplomat relied on intelligence and composure rather than brute force, and he played power quietly. Authority emerged through stillness, not dominance a refreshing shift that worked in the film’s favour.
Akshay Kumar In Kesari: Chapter 2
Akshay brought gravity to Kesari: Chapter 2 without leaning into surface heroism. His performance was rooted in duty and conviction, allowing leadership and sacrifice to feel earned rather than announced. It was a reminder of how effective he can be when he lets emotion guide the role.