The year 2025 is nearing its end. It began with a big film like Game Changer and is ending with another major release like Akhanda 2.
But the big question is: how many major star films arrived in between? The answer is very few—so few that they can be counted on one’s fingers.
Many star heroes missed the year entirely. Some stayed away due to flops, while others took a break because of long-term planning for big projects. In that gap, the entire year passed.
Take Allu Arjun, for example. He delivered a blockbuster like Pushpa 2, but could not immediately line up his next film. Wanting to move carefully, he took time to plan his next step.
Discussions for a film with Atlee itself took a long time. Eventually, the project went on floors, but by then, the year had already slipped by.
Mahesh Babu’s case is different. After Guntur Kaaram, a break became unavoidable. With his next film being directed by SS Rajamouli, the gap only grew longer. As a result, Mahesh ended up with a two-year break.
In fact, there will be no Mahesh Babu release even in the coming year, with the much-awaited Varanasi film scheduled only for a 2027 release.
Prabhas had no shortage of films or commitments, yet he could not release a single film this year. Production delays, massive budgets, and extensive visual effects work kept his projects from reaching completion.
On top of that, he worked on two films simultaneously, which slowed progress on both. As a result, Prabhas fans had to make do with his guest appearance in Kannappa and the Baahubali re-release.
Chiranjeevi also had no release this year. The failure of Bhola Shankar disrupted the senior star’s plans. He was forced to drop some projects he had already committed to and take on new ones instead. These adjustments ultimately cost him the entire year.
Several other actors also missed 2025 for different reasons. Naveen Polishetty and Sai Durgha Tej were unable to work due to accidents. Akhil, Vaishnav Tej, and Varun Tej took breaks following box-office failures.
For one reason or another, many leading heroes stayed away from theatres this year. As a result, the box office clearly felt the absence of star power throughout 2025.