The best of Bollywood and OTT was recognised at the illustrious News18
Showsha Reel Awards 2025, as the industry’s finest gathered for an evening of
celebration in Mumbai. Hosted by actor Arjun Kapoor, the grand event honoured
the finest talent and compelling storytelling across films and web series. The
red carpet set the stage for a grand celebration of stars, filmmakers, and
creative forces shaping the entertainment industry.
The star-studded evening brought together the crème de la crème of the
entertainment industry, including Janhvi Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Jaideep
Ahlawat, Abhishek Bachchan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth
Prabhu, Ramesh Sippy, Salim Khan, Ravi Kishan, Jyothika, Riteish Deshmukh, Yami
Gautam, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Kabir Khan, Raj & DK, and Sonu
Nigam, among many others. Further elevating the energy of the night, Nikhita
Gandhi enthralled the audience with a spectacular live performance, setting the
stage ablaze with her musical brilliance.
While Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor took home the Best Actor and Best
Actress in the Popular Choice category, Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu
were crowned as the Best Actor and Best Actress—OTT. Jaideep Ahlawat and Aditi
Rao Hydari also received accolades for their stellar performances in the OTT
segment, underscoring the industry’s dynamic and ever-expanding creative
landscape of mainstream cinema and digital platforms alike. The event also
shone a spotlight on promising new talent, as Raghav Juyal and Pratibha Ranta
bagged the Rising Star Awards for their performances in Kill and Laapataa
Ladies, respectively. In a testament to
his unparalleled versatility, Pankaj Tripathi was bestowed with the coveted
Entertainer of the Year award for his versatile performances in Stree 2,
Mirzapur Season 3, and Main Atal Hoon.
Sharing his enthusiasm about winning Best Actor (Jury), Abhishek
Bachchan expressed, “This is actually my first-ever Best Actor Award. I'd like
to thank the esteemed jury – it's an honour that you find me worthy of this
award. But the credit for this performance has to go entirely to Shoojit
(Sircar) Da. He’s made such a wonderful film.”
On taking home the OTT Star of the Year (Female) award, Aditi Rao
Hydari shared, “This one is very special. Heeramandi is very special. My
director Sanjay sir is very special. I love him dearly. I am because of my
directors and I hope I will continue to be because of them… Every single AD on
set, every single human being on set, every single four-legged puppy on set,
everybody was part of that universe, and it really made those years that we
spent shooting. I can't be more grateful.” She emphasised.
The prestigious Best Director award was presented to Kabir Khan for his
cinematic masterpiece Chandu Champion, while the much-anticipated Best Film
award was bagged by Stree 2.
In recognition of their legendary contributions to Indian cinema Ramesh
Sippy and Salim Khan were felicitated with the esteemed Reel Legend Award.
Other notable winners included visionary creators Raj & DK,
celebrated for their groundbreaking storytelling, and Sonu Nigam, who was
awarded the Best Playback Singer-Male. The evening was a true reflection of
cinematic brilliance, acknowledging the best in films and digital storytelling.
This year, the esteemed jury of News18 Showsha Reel Awards included
Sachin Pilgaonkar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mukesh Chhabra, Tavishi Paitandy, Lilette
Dubey, and Shabana Azmi, ensuring a fair and credible selection process that
reflects the industry’s highest standards.
Mitul Sangani, Chief Executive Officer – Indian Language, News18 and
Local18 (TV & Digital) said, “At News18, we take immense pride in
recognizing exceptional talent across diverse formats, and genres. The News18
Showsha Reel Awards 2025 stands as a beacon of creative excellence, bringing
together the best of Indian entertainment celebrating both mainstream and
regional storytelling. We congratulate all the winners who have captivated
audiences with their outstanding performances and storytelling.”
Smriti Mehra, CEO – English and Business News, Network18 added, “The
News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2025 is a testament to the power of storytelling and
the impact of cinema and OTT on audiences worldwide. As the entertainment
landscape continues to evolve, we are proud to recognise the artists and
creators who challenge conventions and craft unforgettable narratives.”
Here is the complete list of winners:
https://www.news18features.com/reel-awards-2025/’
Relive the magic of the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2025 – Watch the highlights here now:
