If there was one thing 2025 made clear, it was that female performances carried the year. Across films and OTT, women-led roles didn’t just add weight to stories but became the reason audiences stayed, felt, and remembered. These characters weren’t loud for attention; they were natural, flawed, convincing, and real. What made them resonate so deeply was the conviction with which they were played, proof that strong writing finds its true power only in the hands of the right performer. Take a look at some of the best and impactful female performers across OTT and films in 2025!
Sanya Malhotra – Mrs
Sanya Malhotra’s turn in Mrs was heartbreaking in its simplicity. She portrayed a woman slowly shrinking under expectations, and what made it hit hard was how familiar it felt. Her performance, silences, rather than dramatic outbursts, made the character painfully relatable and deeply affecting.
Shefali Shah – Delhi Crime Season 3
Shefali Shah returned as Vartika Chaturvedi with a performance that felt even more restrained, even more powerful in the third season of Delhi Crime. She didn’t play a “cop”; she played a human being behind the uniform, making her performance the most impactful of the year.
Kajol – Maa
In Maa, Kajol stripped away everything to deliver a powerful performance. She brought an intensity that felt raw and instinctive. It was a reminder of how powerful Kajol can be when she leans fully into character rather than spectacle.
Neena Gupta – Panchayat Season 4
Neena Gupta continued to shine as Manju Devi, a character who has grown quietly over time. She made the character feel like someone you’ve seen, known, and rooted for, which is exactly why audiences connected so strongly.
Zeenat Aman – The Royals
Zeenat Aman’s presence in The Royals brought a rare sense of grace and class. There was dignity in her performance, a sense of lived experience that no amount of dialogue could manufacture. She proved that impact doesn’t come from volume, but from presence, and hers lingered long after.
Yami Gautam – Haq
Yami Gautam delivered a powerful, controlled performance in Haq, choosing restraint over drama. Her character’s internal conflicts felt genuine, making the story believable rather than theatrical. It was a performance built on emotional clarity and quiet strength, earning appreciation from the masses.
Kriti Sanon – Tere Ishq Mein
Kriti Sanon surprised audiences with a more emotionally grounded performance in Tere Ishq Mein. She brought depth to a role that demanded maturity, marking a noticeable shift in her acting journey. The honesty she brought to the character made the emotional arc feel earned and convincing.
Together, these performances defined 2025 as a year where women-led roles didn’t just support narratives, they drove and proved once again that strong performances are what truly win viewers’ hearts.