The 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards, held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in Ahmedabad, was a magnificent celebration of Indian cinema. The evening was dominated by Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film, ‘Laapataa Ladies’, which swept the major awards, setting a new benchmark for excellence. Co-hosted by the charismatic duo of Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar, alongside Maniesh Paul, the event was a seamless blend of nostalgia, star-power, and recognition for cinematic artistry.
Laapataa Ladies Steals the Spotlight
The night belonged unequivocally to ‘Laapataa Ladies’, a film that resonated deeply with both critics and the audience. The movie created history by clinching an astounding 13 Black Lady trophies, tying the record for the most wins by a single film, previously held by Gully Boy (2019). Its victories spanned across all major categories, solidifying its position as the year’s standout cinematic achievement.
Kiran Rao received the coveted Best Director award, a testament to her masterful storytelling and direction. The film also won Best Film, marking a major triumph for cinema that champions meaningful narratives. Its success extended to the acting categories as well, with Ravi Kishan and Chhaya Kadam both winning in the Best Supporting Actor (Male) and Best Supporting Actor (Female) categories, respectively. Furthermore, the film’s lead, Nitanshi Goel, was recognized with the Best Debut Actor (Female) award, confirming the strong performances driven by the script.
‘Laapataa Ladies’ also dominated the music and writing categories, with Ram Sampath winning Best Music Album and Background Score, and Sneha Desai taking home both Best Screenplay and Best Dialogue.
Major Wins in Acting and Direction
The top honors in the leading roles saw multiple deserving winners, reflecting a year of stellar performances across varied genres.
Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female)
The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) award was shared between two actors for their compelling portrayals:
- Abhishek Bachchan for his heartfelt performance in ‘I Want To Talk’.
- Kartik Aaryan for his inspiring role in ‘Chandu Champion’.
The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) trophy went to Alia Bhatt for her intense and nuanced performance in ‘Jigra’.
Critics’ Choice Categories
The Critics’ Awards further recognized artistic merit, highlighting performances and films that pushed boundaries:
- Critics’ Award for Best Film was won by Shoojit Sircar’s social drama, ‘I Want To Talk’.
- Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Male) went to Rajkummar Rao for his titular role in ‘Srikanth’.
- Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Female) was secured by Pratibha Rannta for her remarkable debut in ‘Laapataa Ladies’.
Debut and Technical Excellence
The 70th Filmfare Awards recognized an influx of new talent and celebrated the technical brilliance behind-the-scenes.
Debut Awards
- Best Debut Director was shared by Kunal Kemmu for the comedy-thriller ‘Madgaon Express’ and Aditya Suhas Jambhale for the action-packed ‘Article 370’.
- Best Debut Actor (Male) was awarded to Lakshya for his raw performance in ‘Kill’.
Technical Dominance by ‘Kill’
While Laapataa Ladies swept the major popular categories, Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s action thriller, ‘Kill’, excelled in technical categories, earning multiple awards, including Best Action, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, and Best Production Design.
Highlights and Key Moments of the Ceremony
The grand ceremony in Ahmedabad was packed with memorable moments that celebrated the history and future of Indian cinema.
The Iconic Reunion of SRK and Kajol
One of the most talked-about highlights was the reunion of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol on the Filmfare stage. Shah Rukh Khan, who returned as a host after a long hiatus, and Kajol, a fellow award recipient, delighted the audience by recreating iconic dance steps and moments from their blockbuster films, including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, triggering a wave of nostalgia.
Lifetime Achievement Honors
The event paid a heartfelt tribute to the legends who have shaped the industry. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon veteran actress Zeenat Aman for her groundbreaking career. The award was also posthumously given to legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, recognizing his unparalleled contribution to parallel cinema.
Special Recognitions
The R. D. Burman Award for Upcoming Talent in Music went to Achint Thakkar for his brilliant work in the soundtracks of Jigra and Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, marking him as a talent to watch. The ceremony also featured a special segment honoring the legacy of industry icons across the decades, including tributes to Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Meena Kumari, and a special mention of 50 Years of Sholay.
Full Winners List (Key Categories)
| Category | Winner(s) | Film |
| Best Film | – | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Director | Kiran Rao | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) | Abhishek Bachchan & Kartik Aaryan | I Want To Talk & Chandu Champion |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) | Alia Bhatt | Jigra |
| Critics’ Award for Best Film | Shoojit Sircar | I Want To Talk |
| Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Male) | Rajkummar Rao | Srikanth |
| Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Female) | Pratibha Rannta | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Supporting Actor (Male) | Ravi Kishan | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Supporting Actor (Female) | Chhaya Kadam | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Debut Director | Kunal Kemmu & Aditya Suhas Jambhale | Madgaon Express & Article 370 |
| Best Debut Actor (Male) | Lakshya | Kill |
| Best Debut Actor (Female) | Nitanshi Goel | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Music Album | Ram Sampath | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Playback Singer (Male) | Arijit Singh (‘Sajni’) | Laapataa Ladies |
| Best Playback Singer (Female) | Madhubanti Bagchi (‘Aaj Ki Raat’) | Stree 2 |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Zeenat Aman & Shyam Benegal (Posthumously) | – |
The 70th Filmfare Awards was a landmark night, celebrating a year of compelling and diverse cinema. The monumental success of Laapataa Ladies underscores a growing appreciation for strong, socially relevant storytelling, while the recognition of new talents alongside seasoned veterans ensures the continued vibrancy of Indian filmmaking. The Black Lady trophies were truly a testament to the art and passion that drive Bollywood.