‘Faith restored in Bollywood’: Fans react as Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta & Janki Bodiwala beats A-listers at IIFA

Move over, big Bollywood stars, there’s a new wave of talent taking over, and fans are absolutely loving it! At the recently concluded IIFA 2025, the spotlight wasn’t on the usual A-listers but on three fresh faces - Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Janki Bodiwala who walked away with some of the night’s biggest honors. The internet has been buzzing non-stop, with fans declaring that Bollywood is finally heading in the right direction.

David vs. Goliath moment at IIFA 2025

For years, Bollywood award shows have been dominated by star kids and well-established actors. But this time, it was different. Nitanshi Goel, known for her powerful performance in Laapataa Ladies, snatched the Best Actress award, a category typically reserved for top-tier stars. Her portrayal of a lost bride trying to reclaim her identity struck a chord with audiences, and now, with an IIFA trophy in hand, she’s officially an unstoppable force in making.

The other nominees for Best Actress category were Alia Bhatt (Jigra), Katrina Kaif (Merry Christmas), Yami Gautam (Article 370) and Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2).

Pratibha Ranta’s big win stuns internet

Another major winner was Pratibha Ranta, who bagged Best Debut (Female) for her role in Laapataa Ladies. The Shimla-born actress, who started out with television, proved that real talent will always shine. Getting emotional, she told IANS, “I remember watching IIFA as a kid and today I have this coveted trophy in my hand.”

Meanwhile, Janki Bodiwala took home the Best Actress in Negative Role for her intense performance in Shaitaan. Despite starring alongside seasoned actors like Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan, she made sure her presence was felt, delivering a performance that had audiences on the edge of their seats.

Internet reacts to newcomers taking centre stage at IIFA 2025

The internet is flooded with reactions, and for once, Bollywood award shows have managed to actually impress people. One user wrote, “For the first time in a very long time IIFA surprised me. Looks like the jury has realised that the industry is in a very bad state and needs to do something to elevate some talents who can actually elevate.” Another added, “I hope all 3 get more and more work. They shine and rise. The ducklings who are rejected by the public should think and ponder.”

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