IIFA Awards 2025: The Night in Jaipur That Etched Cinema Stars into History
Report By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada |Baljeet Singh Bhasin
Jaipur, Rajasthan: On the evening of March 9, 2025, amidst the grandeur and cultural splendor of Jaipur, the 25th-anniversary celebration of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards captivated everyone. This event was not just a celebration of Indian cinema’s global impact but a historic moment that once again revived the power of art, culture, and storytelling. The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) magnificently celebrated its historic silver jubilee edition, bringing together the biggest names in Indian cinema and digital entertainment. This star-studded event was not only meant to honor the finest performances in Indian cinema but also marked the beginning of a new digital era with the launch of Sobha Realty Presents IIFA Digital Awards, Co-Presented by NEXA. Against the spectacular backdrop of Jaipur, the event became a hub for cinematic excellence, digital storytelling, and technological innovation. The three-day extravaganza featured grand award ceremonies, dazzling performances, and industry-related discussions.
But on the night of March 9, 2025, the sky over Jaipur sparkled with the radiance of cinema’s brightest stars. The IIFA 25th Anniversary Awardsintertwined the cultural magnificence of Rajasthan with the glory of Bollywood. It was a night where every award told a story, every performance became a legend, and every smile turned into a cherished memory.
The Star-Studded Night and Mesmerizing Performances
Hosting IIFA 2025, Karan Johar and Kartik Aaryan added unmatched charm to the evening. Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, delivered electrifying performances, leaving the audience enthralled.
The Awards and the Glory of the Winners
IIFA 2025 saw “Laapataa Ladies” emerging as the biggest winner of the night, bagging multiple awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Kiran Rao), and Best Actress (Nitanshi Goel). Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor Award for his performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Legendary filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was honored with the “Outstanding Achievement” Award for his immense contributions to Indian cinema. Additionally, Pratibha Ranta (Laapataa Ladies) and Lakshya Lalwani (Kill)won the Best Debut Awards.
IIFA Digital Awards 2025 Winners
• Best Film – Amar Singh Chamkila (Mohit Choudhary, Select Media, Saregama, Netflix)
• Best Director – Imtiaz Ali (Amar Singh Chamkila)
• Best Actress – Kriti Sanon (Do Patti)
• Best Actor – Vikrant Massey (Sector 36)
• Best Supporting Actress – Anupriya Goenka (Berlin)
• Best Supporting Actor – Deepak Dobriyal (Sector 36)
• Best Original Story – Kanika Dhillon (Do Patti)
• Best Series – Panchayat Season 3 (TVF, Prime Video)
• Best Director (Series) – Deepak Kumar Mishra (Panchayat Season 3)
• Best Actress (Series) – Shreya Chaudhary (Bandish Bandits Season 2)
• Best Actor (Series) – Jitendra Kumar (Panchayat Season 3)
• Best Supporting Actress (Series) – Sanjeeda Sheikh (Heera Mandi: The Diamond Bazaar)
• Best Supporting Actor (Series) – Faisal Malik (Panchayat Season 3)
• Best Original Story (Series) – Puneet Batra, Arunabh Kumar(Kota Factory Season 3)
• Best Documentary/Docu-Series – Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous(Sikhya Entertainment, Netflix)
• Best Reality or Non-Scripted Series – Fabulous Lives vs. Bollywood Wives (Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Aneesha Baig, Manu Maharishi, Netflix)
• Best Title Track (Series/Show/Film/Documentary) – Music – Ishq Hai (Mismatch Season 3 – Anurag Saikia)
Each winner highlighted the power of digital storytelling, elevating Indian entertainment to global standards.
List of Major Award Winners – Where Every Name Sparked a Revolution
Major Awards:
1. Best Film: Laapataa Ladies (Producers: Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Jyoti Deshpande)
2. Best Director: Kiran Rao (Laapataa Ladies)
3. Best Actor (Male): Kartik Aaryan (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
4. Best Actress (Female): Nitanshi Goel (Laapataa Ladies)
5. Best Supporting Actor (Male): Ravi Kishan (Laapataa Ladies)
6. Best Supporting Actress (Female): Janki Bodiwala(Shaitaan)
7. Best Negative Role: Raghav Juyal (Kill)
Music and Technical Awards:
1. Best Music Direction: Ram Sampath (Laapataa Ladies)
2. Best Playback Singer (Male): Jubin Nautiyal (Dua, Article 370)
3. Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal (Ami Je Tomar 3.0, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
4. Best Choreography: Bosco-Caesar (Toba Toba, Bad News)
5. Best Cinematography: Rafi Mehmood (Kill)
6. Best Visual Effects: Red Chillies VFX (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
Debut and Special Honors:
1. Best Debut (Male): Lakshya Lalwani (Kill)
2. Best Debut (Female): Pratibha Ranta (Laapataa Ladies)
3. Best Directorial Debut: Kunal Khemu (Madgaon Express)
4. Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema: Rakesh Roshan
Recognizing Technical Excellence in Indian Cinema
The Sobha Realty IIFA Digital Awards honored technical brilliance in filmmaking, celebrating excellence in:
• Cinematography
• Screenplay & Dialogues
• Editing
• Choreography
• Sound Design & Mixing
• Background Score
• Special Effects (Visual)
These awards paid tribute to the experts who bring cinematic stories to life.
The Arrival of Stars: When Jaipur Witnessed Faces More Radiant Than the Moon
This night was not just about awards but also about the magic cast by the stars on stage. The celebrities who graced the event left an everlasting mark in history.
A Star-Studded Evening: Spectacular Hosting and Electrifying Performances
The Hosts:
Karan Johar and Kartik Aaryan kept the audience entertained with their witty humor and spontaneous dialogues. The two nights became even more memorable with the energetic hosting of Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, who added their unique style, humor, and charisma to the event.
Live Performances That Set the Stage on Fire
• Shah Rukh Khan: Enchanted the audience with his iconic presence.
• Kriti Sanon: “I won my first IIFA award here, and now, 25 years later, I stand here again.” – An emotional performance.
• Shahid Kapoor: Set the stage ablaze with his electrifying dance moves.
• Madhuri Dixit: “My heartbeat still races for nights like these.” – A mesmerizing classical dance.
• Nora Fatehi: Dazzled with her captivating dance performance.
• Shreya Ghoshal: Stole hearts with her melodious voice.
• Sachin-Jigar: Made a stunning IIFA debut.
• Mika Singh: Brought the house down with his energetic beats.
Kareena Kapoor Khan: Paid a grand tribute on her grandfather Raj Kapoor’s100th birth anniversary by performing dances on songs from his films.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message was also read at the event, in which he appreciated IIFA’s 25-year journey, stating, “This event is not only a celebration of the greatness of Indian cinema but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase our country’s cultural strength to the world.”
Words from the Prime Minister and Chief Minister: A National Recognition of the Celebration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Message:
“IIFA has given Indian cinema global recognition over the past 25 years. This celebration reflects not only the film industry but also our rich cultural heritage.”
Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma:
“The fusion of Jaipur’s historic beauty and IIFA’s grandeur will take Rajasthan’s tourism to new heights.”
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari attended the event and addressed the audience. The Chief Minister stated, “The confluence of Rajasthan’s cultural heritage and Indian cinema is a historic moment. We are proud to host the 25th anniversary of the IIFA Awards.”
Kareena Kapoor Khan paid an emotional tribute to her grandfather Raj Kapoor through a heartfelt performance, while Madhuri Dixit mesmerized everyone with her dance skills. The performances by Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon also made the event unforgettable.
Diya Kumari (Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan):
“Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for promoting tourism, Rajasthan has taken the opportunity to showcase its beauty and culture by hosting IIFA 2025.”
IIFA Co-Founder Andre Timmins:
“IIFA 2025 was not just an event but a historic milestone celebrating 25 years of cultural exchange and cinematic achievements.”
Special Presentations: Moments That Became History
Golden Jubilee of Sholay and the Iconic Evening at Raj Mandir Cinema
IIFA 2025 also paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of the legendary film Sholayand the 50-year history of Jaipur’s Raj Mandir Cinema. Fans and artists gathered to relive unforgettable moments from the film.
Golden Jubilee of Sholay
A special screening of Sholay was held at Raj Mandir Cinema to celebrate its 50 years, where fans relived its classic moments.
On this occasion, technical excellence was recognized, and tributes were paid to artists working in fields like sound design, editing, and screenplay.
The Future of Indian Cinema
The grand celebration of 2025 was not only a tribute to Indian cinema’s 25-year journey but also a moment that made everyone realize the immense power of storytelling. The shining stars in Jaipur once again proved that Indian cinema’s brilliance resonates across the globe.
IIFA 2025 not only honored the greatness of the past but also illuminated the future of Indian cinema. Emerging actors, directors, and technical experts were acknowledged for their hard work, sending a strong message that the future of Indian cinema remains just as magnificent.
The Grand Finale: When Even the Moon Blushed – A Silver Celebration with Golden Memories
This was the story of IIFA 2025—a silver jubilee celebration wrapped in golden memories, leaving an everlasting impression on every heart. This silver jubilee was not just an award ceremony but a global showcase of cultural and cinematic achievements.
With its unparalleled grandeur, global reach, and artistic excellence, IIFA has elevated Indian cinema to new international heights. The historic edition held in Jaipur has laid the foundation for even greater milestones in the future.
As IIFA 2025 came to a close, the air of Jaipur remained filled with the love for cinema and the reverence for art. This was a celebration that not only saluted the greatness of the past but also paved the way for the future.
As Rakesh Roshan once said:
“Films are not just entertainment; they are mirrors that reflect society.”
And so it happened… Jaipur’s night became a golden chapter in the history of Indian cinema, where every award, every smile, and every tear told a story.
