The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2025 celebrated cinematic brilliance on October 30, 2025, at the NSCI Dome, SVP Stadium in Worli, Mumbai, honoring artists who have made an exceptional impact on Indian cinema. Among the standout winners were Nitanshi Goel and Kiran Rao for their work on the critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies.
Nitanshi Goel received the prestigious Critics Best Actress Award, recognizing her nuanced performance and commanding screen presence. The festival tweeted its congratulations: “Congratulations to Nitanshi Goel and the brilliant team of Laapataa Ladies for this well-deserved honour!”
The accolades did not stop there. Kiran Rao was honored with the Critics Best Director Award for Laapataa Ladies, applauding her vision, direction, and ability to extract powerful performances from the cast. The festival’s official tweet read:
“Congratulations to Kiran Rao and the visionary team of Laapataa Ladies for this incredible achievement!”
Laapataa Ladies has been widely praised for its storytelling, ensemble cast, and cinematic craft, earning recognition not just from audiences but also from critics and industry peers. These awards underscore the film’s impact in 2025 as a standout example of contemporary Indian cinema.
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival, known for celebrating excellence in cinema, art, culture, tourism, and heritage, has once again highlighted the talent and dedication of filmmakers and actors pushing the boundaries of storytelling in India. With Nitanshi Goel and Kiran Rao’s wins, Laapataa Ladies is cemented as one of the year’s most celebrated films.