- Won 10 awards including Best Picture and Best Direction
- Addresses patriarchy and gender roles in rural India
- Glitzy event featured Shah Rukh Khan’s performance and fashion showcases
Kiran Rao’s groundbreaking film Laapataa Ladies emerged as the star of the 2025 IIFA Awards, securing top honors just months after India’s Oscar selection committee passed over the project. The comedy-drama’s sweeping victory at Bollywood’s most prestigious ceremony highlights shifting audience preferences toward socially conscious storytelling.
The Jaipur-set production, originally titled Lost Ladies for its international campaign, marks a significant departure from mainstream Bollywood tropes. Unlike typical masala films filled with item numbers and exaggerated plots, Rao’s work uses subtle humor to critique systemic gender inequality. Industry analysts note the 10-award haul reflects changing voter priorities at IIFA, which traditionally favored big-budget productions.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Rao emphasized the challenges of mounting a female-driven project: Getting financiers to back a film without chase sequences or romantic duets required endless persuasion.Her persistence paid dividends as the $2.5 million production grossed ₹1.8 billion globally, outperforming three Shah Rukh Khan releases from the same fiscal year.
The awards gala itself became a cultural moment, blending cinematic celebration with Rajasthan’s heritage. Performers danced against backdrops of Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal while designers showcased hand-block printed textiles. This regional integration follows IIFA’s 2023 success in Gujarat, where local craft traditions boosted tourism by 18% post-event.
Fashion commentators praised Madhuri Dixit’s sustainable Banarasi silk sari and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s upcycled mirrorwork lehenga as standout looks. The green carpet’s emphasis on eco-conscious styling aligns with Bollywood’s growing sustainability movement, echoing initiatives like Priyanka Chopra’s carbon-neutral production hub in Goa.
Industry experts identify three key trends emerging from this year’s IIFA results: audiences increasingly reward content over star power, regional authenticity enhances global appeal, and female-led narratives drive streaming engagement. Since the awards, Disney+ Hotstar reported a 300% spike in Laapataa Ladies views, outperforming action franchises like Dhoom 5.
