8 breakthrough performances of 2025 on Nettlix

R. Madhavan in Aap Jaisa Koi

Defined by restraint and self-denial, Madhavan delivers a performance steeped in stillness and vulnerability. Watching him unlearn his conditioning feels tender

Pratik Gandhi in Dhoom Dhaam

As a gentle veterinarian, his sincerity and awkward charm make him instantly endearing. Veer is the everyman caught between love, duty, and self-discovery

Zahan Kapoor in Black Warrant

As a young, meek prison officer navigating the chaos of Tihar Jail, Zahan captures innocence, fear, and quiet determination with striking authenticity

Lakshya in The Ba***ds of Bollywood

Lakshya’s Aasmaan Singh storms into Bollywood with raw ambition, balancing swagger, sensitivity, and a fierce refusal to play by the rules

Huma Qureshi in Delhi Crime S3

As the antagonist Badi Didi- a character rooted in pure, unapologetic evil- Huma is ruthless, calculating, and terrifyingly calm, a woman who rules through fear

Ishaan Khatter in The Royals

He looks every bit the part- suave, stylish, and magnetic- but his performance stands because of the depth he lends to the character beneath the royal veneer

Nimisha Sajayan in Dabba Cartel

With her infectious energy, sharp Mumbaiyya lilt, and mischievous sparkle, Nimisha brings every scene to life, having earthy charm and undeniable screen command

Sakshi Tanwar in The Royals

Draped in diamonds but burdened with loss, she balances vulnerability and cunning with rare finesse. She grounds the series with emotional honesty