Women, power, and perspective: films that stood out in 2025

In 2025, across languages and genres, filmmakers placed women at the centre of their films, without reducing them to stereotypical characters or symbols.

Women in 2025’s films are no longer confined to a single narrative—they  occupy many worlds at once. They are homemakers, superheroes, daughters and mothers—relatable, relevant, and resilient. 

Here’s a list of films that caught our attention for redefining how women are seen, heard, and centered on screen.

Mrs. (Hindi)

Mrs. is the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which made headlines for its hard-hitting portrayal of everyday misogyny and patriarchy. Narrated through the life of homemaker Richa Sharma, played by Sanya Malhotra, the film captures the quiet suffocation of a woman confined to meeting the relentless needs of her husband and in-laws. With incisive, unsparing storytelling, Mrs struck a deep chord with women across age groups. At its heart, it is a story of awakening—of a woman who realises that self-respect begins with recognising and prioritising her own needs and desires.

The Great Shamsuddin Family (Hindi)

Recently released on JioHotstar, The Great Shamsuddin Family may have its comic moments, but beneath the humour lies a portrait of the uncertainty and precarity faced by Muslims in India. And beneath the unease, it also gives a message of hope. 

The film revolves around the Shamsuddin family—sisters Bani and Humaira, their cousins Iram and Zoheb, and a formidable group of older women: Akko, Asiya, Safiya. and Jameela. 

As the family navigates both hilarious and deeply serious situations, including an inter-faith wedding in the family, the story captures the texture of everyday life. From little fights to tender moments, it is the family’s fierce, often overwhelming love for one another that lends the film its quiet magic.

The Girlfriend (Telugu)

In what can be termed as one of her most compelling performances so far, Rashmika Mandanna plays Bhooma Devi, a young postgraduate literature student who falls in love with a classmate and how her life is caught in a vicious cycle of possessiveness and control.

The film starts as a sweet college romance but soon gives way to darker undercurrents of manipulation, emotional dependence, and control. Bhooma becomes entangled in an all-consuming relationship, which affects her friendships, ambition, and confidence. 

In the end, it’s Bhooma’s awakening that changes the course of the film and gives it an ending it deserves—a young woman finally understanding her self-worth, the importance of boundaries, and autonomy.

Tourist Family (Tamil)

One of the heartwarming Tamil films of 2025, Tourist Family, chronicles the struggles of a Sri Lankan family that moves to Chennai, navigating challenges as they attempt to blend in as locals while trying to hide their original identities. 

The heart of the family is the supportive wife and mother, Vasanthi (Simran) who is resilient, forgiving, and traverses the little joys the new place brings to her while holding onto memories of a life once lived. 

While chronicling the life of a refugee family, the film also leaves room for warmth and humour, gently reminding us that kindness can endure even in the most uncertain circumstances.

Gentlewoman (Tamil)

Starring Lijomol Jose and Losliya Mariyanesan in lead roles, Gentlewoman begins with the mysterious disappearance of Aravind, triggering a police investigation that slowly exposes the secret life he led behind closed doors. His wife, Poorni, is seen as the ideal, devoted homemaker, living a seemingly stable married life. Into this drama enters Anna, a former girlfriend of Aravind, who is also searching for him.

In the role of Poorni, Lijomol anchors the film with a measured, compelling presence.

The film follows its own pace, taking the audience through long stretches before it evolves into periods of intense moments. Its characters are firmly embedded within the narrative framework, brought alive by assured performances that sustain intrigue and mystery beneath the simmering surface.

Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra (Malayalam)

Positioned as one of the biggest women-centric blockbusters of 2025, Lokah: Chapter 1 features Kalyani Priyadarshan as a female superhero at the centre of a narrative that blends action, mythology, and emotional introspection.

The story follows Chandra, a young woman whose life takes an extraordinary turn when she discovers abilities that set her apart from those around her. As she begins to understand the source and scale of her powers, Chandra is drawn into a larger world shaped by unseen forces, long-standing conflicts, and moral choices that carry far-reaching consequences.

Madam Sengupta (Bengali)

Madam Sengupta is a Bengali crime thriller that places a woman at the centre of a dark, emotionally charged investigation. The film follows Anurekha Sengupta (Rituparna Sengupta), a well-known cartoonist whose life is shattered by the murder of her daughter. Refusing to remain a passive figure of grief, she returns to Kolkata determined to uncover the truth behind the crime.

As Anurekha begins to piece together fragments of her daughter’s life, the search for answers draws her into a web of hidden relationships, artistic rivalries, and long-suppressed secrets. 

Madam Sengupta, while following Anurekha’s search for the truth, also paints a portrait of a woman navigating grief, rage, and resilience. The film has its vulnerable moments, but is steadfast in its resolution to uncover the truth.