2025 has been a year of fresh faces and bold new directions on Netflix, with several highly anticipated debuts making waves across the streaming platform. From star kids carving their own paths to seasoned filmmakers venturing into the digital space, here are some of the standout Netflix debuts of the year.
One of the most talked-about debuts was Aryan Khan's directorial venture, "The Bads of Bollywood". Released on September 18, 2025, this satirical action comedy drama series offered a cheeky, insider's look at the Hindi film industry. Produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment, the series follows Aasmaan Singh, played by Lakshya Lalwani, an outsider navigating the complexities of Bollywood with a mix of humor and high-stakes drama. The show features a star-studded cast including Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal and Sahher Bambba, with cameo appearances by Salman Khan and Karan Johar. Critics have praised Khan's direction, the engaging storyline, and the performances of the cast. Khan himself has spoken about the layered humor within the series, even suggesting viewers might need a second watch to catch all the jokes. According to Netflix data, "The Bads of Bollywood" garnered 9 million views and was one of the top-performing series in the third quarter.
Another significant debut came from Zahan Kapoor, grandson of the late Shashi Kapoor, in Vikramaditya Motwane's "Black Warrant". The series, which premiered on January 10, 2025, is a crime drama thriller inspired by the book "Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer" by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. Kapoor plays Sunil Gupta, a newly appointed jailer navigating the challenging world inside India's largest and most infamous prison, Tihar Jail. Motwane co-created the series with Satyanshu Singh, who also co-directs alongside Ambiecka Pandit, Arkesh Ajay and Rohin Raveendran Nair. Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, and Anurag Thakur also star in the series. "Black Warrant" delves into the lives of inmates and the complexities of the justice system, offering a raw and realistic portrayal of life behind bars.
Beyond these two high-profile series, Netflix's 2025 lineup has been rich with other notable debuts. Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan, made his acting debut in "Nadaaniyan" alongside Khushi Kapoor. Saif Ali Khan himself reunited with director Siddharth Anand for the heist thriller "Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins". Netflix also expanded its horizons with its first Telugu series, "Super Subbu," starring Sundeep Kishan and Mithila Palkar.
These debuts reflect Netflix India's commitment to bringing diverse and engaging content to its audience, showcasing both emerging talent and established names. With a mix of star power, compelling storylines, and innovative filmmaking, these series and films have solidified Netflix's position as a leading platform for Indian entertainment in 2025.
