The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2025 lit up Mumbai with a dazzling celebration of cinematic excellence, honouring the best in Bollywood and OTT. 

Hosted by Arjun Kapoor, the grand event brought together the biggest names in the industry, recognizing exceptional performances, innovative storytelling, and creative brilliance.

The red carpet saw a star-studded lineup, 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. Adding to the evening’s electrifying atmosphere, Nikhita Gandhi delivered a power-packed live musical performance.

Top Winners of the Night

• Best Actor (Popular Choice): Rajkummar Rao 
• Best Actress (Popular Choice): Janhvi Kapoor 
• Best Actor (OTT): Varun Dhawan 
• Best Actress (OTT): Samantha Ruth Prabhu 
• Best Actor (Jury): Abhishek Bachchan 
• Best Actress (OTT Star of the Year): Aditi Rao Hydari (Heeramandi) 
• Best Director: Kabir Khan (Chandu Champion) 
• Best Film: Stree 2 
• Entertainer of the Year: Pankaj Tripathi (Stree 2, Mirzapur 3, Main Atal Hoon) 
• Rising Star Awards: Raghav Juyal (Kill), Pratibha Ranta (Laapataa Ladies) 
• Reel Legend Award: Ramesh Sippy & Salim Khan
  

Abhishek Bachchan, thrilled at winning his first-ever Best Actor award, credited filmmaker Shoojit Sircar for his performance, “This is an honour, and I owe this entirely to Shoojit Da for making such a wonderful film.”

Aditi Rao Hydari, emotional upon receiving the OTT Star of the Year award, expressed gratitude to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for ‘Heeramandi’, calling it a “very special project.”

Visionary creators Raj & DK were celebrated for their groundbreaking storytelling, while Sonu Nigam was honoured as Best Playback Singer-Male. The Reel Legend Award recognized the iconic contributions of Ramesh Sippy and Salim Khan to Indian cinema.

Mitul Sangani, CEO – Indian Language, News18, highlighted the awards as a “beacon of creative excellence,” while Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, emphasized their role in recognizing storytelling that challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impact.

With a credible jury panel featuring Sachin Pilgaonkar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mukesh Chhabra, Tavishi Paitandy, Lilette Dubey, and Shabana Azmi, the awards stood as a testament to the evolving landscape of entertainment in India.

The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2025 not only honoured talent but also celebrated the growing influence of OTT and regional cinema, reinforcing the power of storytelling in shaping audience experiences.