The Hindi film industry is in a very interesting phase right now. New faces are exploding in popularity, established queens are reinventing themselves, and women-led stories are finally getting bigger budgets and better scripts.
Here’s a blog-style rundown of 10 Bollywood actresses who are ruling 2025 – based on recent hits, upcoming projects, brand power and audience buzz. Rankings are always subjective, so think of this as a curated list, not an “official” scoreboard.
1. Deepika Padukone
Deepika continues to sit comfortably on the Bollywood throne in 2025. Multiple lists that track popularity and influence still place her at or near the top among current actresses. ZEE5+1
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Has successfully balanced mainstream blockbusters with performance-oriented roles.
- International recognition (film festivals, global brand endorsements) keeps her in the global spotlight.
- Frequently tops “most famous Bollywood actresses” lists for 2025. FilmiBeat
What to watch for
Deepika remains the go-to name for big-scale commercial cinema and prestige projects, so any film with her name attached automatically becomes a talking point.
2. Alia Bhatt
Alia has transformed from “promising newcomer” to one of the industry’s most powerful female leads. She consistently appears in rankings of top actresses for 2024–25. IMDb+1
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Known for highly acclaimed performances and strong box office pull.
- Effortlessly switches between intense characters, rom-coms, and big multi-starrers.
- Part of marquee women-led projects like Jee Le Zaraa alongside Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif, which is back on track and heavily anticipated. The Times of India
Alia Bhatt in 2025 = a blend of critical respect + mass appeal + pan-India reach.
3. Katrina Kaif
Katrina remains one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars even after nearly two decades in the industry. She continues to feature on 2025 “top actress” and “Queens of Bollywood” lists. ZEE5+1
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Long list of commercial hits and iconic songs keeps her extremely relevant.
- Strong presence in big franchise films and high-budget entertainers.
- Part of the trio leading Jee Le Zaraa, a much-discussed road trip film centred around female friendships. The Times of India
Katrina’s brand value and fanbase ensure she stays firmly in the top tier.
4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Even though Priyanka spends much of her time in Hollywood now, her impact on Bollywood in 2025 is still huge. She is regularly cited among the top actresses “ruling India” in 2025. ZEE5
Why she’s ruling 2025
- One of the few Indian actresses with a strong crossover career in the West.
- Continues to headline major conversations thanks to global projects, entrepreneurship, and production ventures.
- Returning to a lead Bollywood role with Jee Le Zaraa, which has generated massive anticipation since its announcement. The Times of India
Priyanka’s combo of Bollywood legacy + Hollywood visibility makes her uniquely influential.
5. Kiara Advani
Kiara has quietly but decisively climbed into the A-list. She now appears consistently in 2024–25 rankings of top Bollywood actresses and “most famous” lists. IMDb+2ZEE5+2
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Strong box-office record in romance, drama, and patriotic films.
- Popular with younger audiences and in tier-2/3 cities, which matters a lot for theatrical numbers.
- A favourite choice for big banners, multi-starrers and commercial entertainers.
With solid mass connect and strong digital fan engagement, Kiara is one of the most “relatable” faces of 2025.
6. Kriti Sanon
After winning both audience love and critical respect, Kriti has cemented her place among the top actresses of this era. She appears high on multiple 2025 “most famous” and “top actresses” lists. IMDb+2ZEE5+2
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Has delivered a mix of commercial entertainers and performance-heavy roles.
- Frequently praised for her versatility, from light-hearted roles to more emotional characters.
- Trusted by producers for pan-India appeal and strong youth connect.
Kriti’s graph is still rising, which makes her one of the most exciting names to watch this decade.
7. Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kareena remains a pop-culture icon who refuses to slow down. She consistently features in lists of top Bollywood actresses in 2024–25 and “Queens of Bollywood 2025”. IMDb+2ZEE5+2
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Two decades into her career and still headlining films and OTT projects.
- Balances mainstream cinema with more experimental roles and digital debuts.
- Massive fanbase across generations, from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham fans to today’s OTT audience.
Kareena’s staying power is proof that reinvention and confidence can keep you at the top for a very long time.
8. Shraddha Kapoor
Shraddha combines music-video charisma, girl-next-door charm and box-office pull, which keeps her in almost every 2025 “top actresses” list. IMDb+2ZEE5+2
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Strong box-office track record in romantic dramas and dance/musical films.
- Very popular on social media and among younger audiences.
- Frequently part of high-energy soundtracks that trend on Reels and YouTube, adding to her recall value.
Shraddha is the kind of star whose popularity doesn’t depend on constant releases; her fanbase simply stays loyal.
9. Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi has moved firmly into the “next-gen leading lady” category, not just “star kid”. Many 2025 popularity lists include her among the top actresses, especially in the younger bracket. ZEE5+1
Why she’s ruling 2025
- Working with strong directors across both Hindi and South Indian cinema.
- 2024–25 releases like Mr & Mrs Mahi and Ulajh in Hindi, plus the big Telugu film Devara: Part 1, have expanded her audience base. FilmiBeat+1
- Multiple upcoming films scheduled into 2025–26, including Homebound, Param Sundari and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, signal that producers see her as a long-term bet. FilmiBeat+1
Janhvi is shaping up to be one of the key faces of Bollywood’s next decade.
10. Triptii Dimri
If there’s one name that exploded in buzz recently, it’s Triptii Dimri. After earning attention for earlier films, she became a nationwide talking point thanks to a standout role in Animal, followed by a packed slate of films.