Filmfare Awards 2025: Laapataa Ladies Dominates with 13 Wins; Alia Bhatt’s Best Actress Trophy for Jigra Sparks Online Debate

A Star-Studded Night at EKA Arena

The 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards lit up Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena at Kankaria Lake on Saturday, with Bollywood’s biggest stars gracing the red carpet. Hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, and Maniesh Paul, the event combined glamour, celebration, and controversy in equal measure.

The evening featured electrifying performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Kriti Sanon, Kajol, and others, while top honors went to films and actors that defined Hindi cinema in 2024.

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Laapataa Ladies Steals the Show

Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies emerged as the night’s biggest winner, bagging 13 trophies, including Best Film — a feat that ties the all-time record set by Gully Boy. The film, celebrated for its sharp social commentary and heartfelt storytelling, reaffirmed Rao’s comeback as one of the most distinctive directorial voices in contemporary cinema.

Abhishek Bachchan and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor (Male) award, marking a rare dual win in Filmfare history.

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Alia Bhatt Wins Best Actress — and Ignites Online Debate

Alia Bhatt clinched the Best Actress (Female) award for her performance in Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala. However, her absence from the ceremony quickly became the night’s biggest talking point. Karan Johar, who produced Jigra under Dharma Productions, accepted the trophy on her behalf.

While many fans congratulated Alia for her win, social media platforms — particularly Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) — buzzed with divided opinions.

One user wrote, “Hahahahaha… and she didn’t even show up. Karan accepted the award for her. This is hilarious.”

Another commented, “I don’t even hate her, but stuff like this makes people dislike her more. Why does she keep winning for films that don’t connect with audiences?”

Some users questioned why Jigra—a film with modest box office results—earned her the trophy, with one post asking, “What about Yami Gautam? She gave a solid hit and great performance, yet a flop film wins the award?”

Others poked fun at the perceived predictability of her win: “Ahh, the Alia award goes to Alia. What a surprising turn of events.”

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A Legacy of Wins

This marks Alia Bhatt’s sixth Best Actress Filmfare trophy, following wins for Udta Punjab, Raazi, Gully Boy, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She also previously won the Critics’ Award for Highway.

Despite criticism, industry peers praised her continued consistency, noting her range and dedication to challenging roles.

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Glitz, Glory, and Controversy

While Laapataa Ladies dominated the night, the chatter around Alia’s win and her absence highlighted the ongoing debate about Bollywood’s award culture — between artistic merit, popularity, and industry politics.

As the dust settles, the 70th Filmfare Awards will be remembered not only for celebrating cinematic excellence but also for sparking conversations about transparency and credibility in the world of Hindi film honors.