The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) 2025 has wrapped up its glittering 25th edition, and what a night it was for Indian cinema! Held over the weekend in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the silver jubilee of IIFA celebrated excellence in Bollywood with unforgettable performances, emotional tributes, and a surprise winner that dominated the night—Laapataa Ladies. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced under the Aamir Khan banner, the film walked away with a staggering 10 awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the biggest moments, performances, and highlights from IIFA 2025.
Laapataa Ladies: The Underdog that Conquered
Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which had initially released quietly on OTT, slowly became a sleeper hit—thanks to strong word-of-mouth, a poignant storyline, and brilliant performances. The film’s narrative about two newlywed women who are accidentally swapped during a train journey turned out to be both hilarious and socially relevant.
At IIFA 2025, the film bagged:
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Kiran Rao)
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Screenplay
- Best Editing
- And several technical awards including Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.
This overwhelming win marked a turning point for content-rich cinema over star-driven projects.
Nitanshi Goel: The New Star of Bollywood
The biggest surprise of the night was young actress Nitanshi Goel, who clinched the Best Actress Award for her powerful role in Laapataa Ladies. Her natural performance as the confused yet brave bride struck a chord with both the jury and the audience.
At just 16, Nitanshi has already earned comparisons to the likes of Alia Bhatt and Vidya Balan in terms of screen presence and potential. In her emotional acceptance speech, she said, “This award is not just for me but for every girl who dares to dream. Thank you, Kiran ma’am, for believing in me.”
Kartik Aaryan Wins Best Actor
While Laapataa Ladies stole the spotlight, Kartik Aaryan made sure the star-studded side of Bollywood got its due. He won Best Actor for his role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a horror-comedy that became one of the biggest commercial successes of the year.
Clad in a classic black tuxedo, Kartik thanked his fans and family and dedicated the award to his late grandmother. “This character tested me emotionally and comedically. Thank you to the audiences for showering so much love,” he said.
Blockbuster Performances That Lit Up Jaipur
No IIFA ceremony is complete without jaw-dropping dance performances, and 2025 was no different. Here’s who brought the house down:
- Varun Dhawan opened the night with a high-energy medley of his biggest dance numbers.
- Shraddha Kapoor mesmerized the crowd with a graceful tribute to Lata Mangeshkar’s timeless melodies.
- Tiger Shroff thrilled fans with his acrobatics and martial arts choreography.
- A special act by Shahid Kapoor on “25 Years of IIFA” paid tribute to iconic performances from previous decades.
The performances were visually spectacular, using holographic effects, drones, and LED mapping to transform the arena into a dreamscape.
Big Winners at IIFA 2025
Here’s a quick look at some of the other major awards:
- Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi (Kadak)
- Best Music Director: Pritam (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
- Best Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya (Tum Kya Mile)
- Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh (Raahi Re)
- Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal (Phir Se Tumko Chaaha)
Several debutants and OTT productions also won in the Critics’ category, marking a significant shift in industry recognition.
Hosts & Humor: Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana Deliver Laughs
The 2025 IIFA Awards were co-hosted by Vicky Kaushal and Ayushmann Khurrana, who brought a refreshing mix of charm and wit to the stage. Their opening monologue poked fun at industry trends, ongoing celebrity weddings, and even AI-generated movies.
One of the funniest moments? Ayushmann teasing Vicky about his viral dance moves at the Ambani sangeet while mimicking them live on stage.
Red Carpet Glamour
As expected, the red carpet was a showstopper in itself. Highlights included:
- Alia Bhatt in a shimmering ivory gown by Sabyasachi.
- Deepika Padukone making a regal statement in a navy blue saree with a dramatic cape.
- Ranveer Singh showed up in a hot pink sherwani with matching sneakers—classic Ranveer.
Fashion critics are already calling this one of the most stylish IIFA events in recent memory.
A Celebration of New Voices
Perhaps the most heartening takeaway from IIFA 2025 was the rise of new talent and unconventional stories. From Kiran Rao to Nitanshi Goel, from digital debutants to socially-conscious narratives, the evening marked a departure from the traditional star system that dominated previous decades.
Farhan Akhtar summed it up best in his closing remarks: “This is an industry powered by dreams. Tonight, we honored not just stars, but storytellers.”
What’s Next?
With this year’s IIFA Awards setting a new benchmark in content recognition and production quality, the industry is already buzzing with anticipation for what 2025 has in store. Laapataa Ladies is expected to be submitted as India’s official entry to the Oscars, and actors like Nitanshi Goel and Kartik Aaryan are now firmly in the top league.
For fans and industry insiders alike, IIFA 2025 was not just an awards show—it was a cultural celebration of cinema, evolution, and excellence.
