Google has unveiled its Year in Search report, offering a glimpse into what captivated Indian audiences this year. The report highlights a dynamic year for the film and television industry, with Rajkummar Rao-starrer Stree 2 dominating the charts in films while Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi topping the list of most-searched web series.
Google’s trending list showcased a diverse array of content, with Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films finding a place in the top 10 searches.
Most searched films on Google
Topping the movie searches was Amar Kaushik’s Stree 2, a horror-comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. Close behind was Nag Ashwin’s ambitious sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, featuring a star-studded cast of Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan.
Other notable entries on the list included Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s surprise hit 12th Fail, Kiran Rao’s social comedy Laapataa Ladies, Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Maharaja, and the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys. The Telugu-language superhero film Hanu-Man, Vijay’s The Greatest of All Time, and Prabhas’ action-packed Salaar also made it to the list, while Fahadh Faasil-starrer Malayalam dramedy Aavesham rounded out the top 10.
Dominance of OTT shows
On the streaming platforms, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix period drama Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar led the pack of most-searched shows. Close behind was the fan-favourite Mirzapur, followed by the American series The Last of Us, which captured the imagination of Indian viewers with its gripping post-apocalyptic narrative.
South Korean dramas Queen of Tears and Marry My Husband, and the Netflix limited series 3 Body Problem also struck a chord with Indian audiences, highlighting the growing influence of global content.
Reality TV continued to dominate Indian search trends, with Bigg Boss 17 and Bigg Boss 18 both making it to the list. Shows like Panchayat and Kota Factory, produced by TVF, were also part of the rankings.
Most searched tunes using hum-to-search
The Indian music landscape thrived with diversity, as listeners turned to indie hits like Nadaaniyan and Husn, while nostalgia played a strong role, with classics such as Ye Tune Kya Kiya and Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam striking a chord with audiences.
Illuminati, Sai Abhyankar’s Katchi Sera, MASHA ULTRAFUNK by HISTED and TXVSTERPLAYA also made it to the list of Google’s most-searched songs. Aaj Ki Raat, the chartbuster from Stree 2, rounded off the list.
Indian stars shine globally
Google’s global search trends also saw the inclusion of Indian stars like Hina Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Pawan Kalyan in the most-searched actors of 2024. Hina Khan made it to the charts for her courageous battle with breast cancer. The actress, who shared her diagnosis and chemotherapy journey on social media, became a symbol of resilience and strength. Her candid posts and emotional video of cutting her hair resonated deeply with fans.
Telugu actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan also garnered significant attention due to his growing political clout in Andhra Pradesh, making him a trending figure throughout the year. Meanwhile, Nimrat Kaur also made headlines this year owing to rumours about her personal life.
