Nitanshi Goel, 17, wins IIFA Best Actress, beating Alia Bhatt & Katrina Kaif

Photo: Instagram/@iifa

The Best Actress category at the IIFA Awards 2025 was filled with some of the biggest names in Bollywood. Stars like Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Yami Gautam, and Shraddha Kapoor were nominated. But the one who won was not a seasoned superstar—it was a 17-year-old newcomer, Nitanshi Goel.

An Unforgettable Moment

Nitanshi Goel, who made her acting debut in Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies, had a night to remember. She won the Best Actress award for her role as Phool Kumari in the film. As she walked onto the stage to accept the award, emotions took over.

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Actors Boman Irani and Bobby Deol presented her with the trophy. Nitanshi looked stunning in a ruby-red gown, but what touched everyone the most was her heartfelt reaction. As she began her acceptance speech, she couldn’t hold back her tears. With her voice shaking, she thanked the entire film team and her family for believing in her.

Beating Bollywood’s Biggest Stars

Nitanshi's victory was unexpected but well-deserved. She competed against some of the industry’s most popular and experienced actresses:

• Alia Bhatt (Jigra)

• Katrina Kaif (Merry Christmas)

• Yami Gautam (Article 370)

• Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2)

After winning, she spoke to ANI and shared her feelings. “I wasn’t expecting this. I hoped Laapataa Ladies would win big, but I never thought I would win this award myself. The other nominees are actors I have admired for years. I’m truly overwhelmed by all the love.”

Breaking Down in Tears

When asked about her emotional reaction, Nitanshi smiled and admitted, “It’s becoming a habit now! But honestly, I couldn’t stop crying. This award is every actor’s dream, and today, that dream came true for me. I just feel so thankful.”

She also shared what she did right after receiving the award. “The first thing I did was cry! Then I quickly put together my speech because I was too shocked to believe it was happening. After that, I hugged my mom and Kiran ma’am tightly. It was all happy tears.”

Dreaming of Future Projects

With this big win, Nitanshi is now looking forward to working with more stars. She excitedly shared, “There are so many actors I want to work with, but at the top of my list is Shah Rukh Khan sir. Right after him is Kartik Aaryan. It would be a dream come true to act alongside them.”

What is Laapataa Ladies?

Laapataa Ladies, also known internationally as Lost Ladies, is a Hindi comedy-drama released in 2023. Directed by Kiran Rao, the movie tells the story of two newlywed brides who accidentally get switched during a train journey. The film stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Ravi Kishan in key roles. It received a lot of love for its unique story and brilliant performances.

Nitanshi’s incredible win at IIFA 2025 has made her a rising star to watch out for in Bollywood. With her talent and passion, this is just the beginning of an amazing journey ahead.