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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 38

Abhishek Bachchan Shines as Filmfare 2025 Marks a

Starry Night of Cinema and Collaboration in Ahmedabad

The 70th Filmfare Awards brought Bollywood glamour to Gujarat for the first time, celebrating
cinematic brilliance while spotlighting the growing synergy between business and entertainment

OUR BUREAU 2025 Filmfare Awards reflected how
the business of entertainment is ex-
Mumbai / Bengaluru
panding in India. The participation
he 70th Filmfare Awards of figures like Dr. More underlined
2025 turned Ahmedabad’s the blending of creative and com-
TEKA Arena into a dazzling mercial worlds. Many companies are
confluence of stars, creativity, and now collaborating with actors and
commerce on Sunday night. The filmmakers not only for product en-
grand event — marking the first time dorsements but also for social causes
Filmfare was hosted in Gujarat — and educational initiatives.
celebrated the best of Hindi cinema According to industry watch-
while underlining how India’s enter- ers, such partnerships signify a new
tainment industry is evolving into a phase in India’s cultural economy
powerful part of its cultural economy. — one where creativity, entrepre-
From the moment the red carpet neurship, and social impact intersect.
rolled out, it was clear this edition of Filmfare’s decision to host the cere-
the Filmfare Awards was about more mony in Ahmedabad also highlight-
than just trophies. Icons like Shah ed Gujarat’s growing status as a hub
Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kajol, for film production, events, and cul-
and Karan Johar mingled with indus- tural innovation.
trialists and creative leaders, reflect-
ing how cinema now intersects with A CELEBRATION OF CRAFT
business, branding, and innovation
in new and dynamic ways. ince its inception in 1954, the
Among the prominent names Filmfare Awards have stood
from the business world was Dr. Ro- Sas a benchmark for excellence
hit More, Chairman of Aristocrat in Indian cinema. The 2025 edition
Rainwear and Just School Enter- continued that legacy with catego-
prise, and Director at Dollar Gar- ries spanning acting, direction, mu-
ments. Known for his extensive col- sic, production design, and technical
laborations with Bollywood stars, Dr. achievements. Winners were selected
More’s presence captured the grow- through a mix of jury evaluation and
ing interplay between India’s corpo- Abhishek Bachchan won his first-ever Best Actor (Male) award this year audience votes, ensuring a balance
rate sector and its creative industries. in his 25-year-long career (Agency) between critical acclaim and popular
Speaking at the event, he remarked, appreciation.
“Industries are converging. Business The evening also featured elec-
leaders today engage with creativity chan, who won his first-ever Best Ac- thank you for allowing me to go out trifying performances and touching
and culture in ways that go beyond tor (Male) award in a 25-year-long and follow my dreams. I hope that tributes to cinematic legends. Stars
commerce.” career. The win, for his moving per- by winning this award, they see that like Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol paid
His comment resonated with the formance in I Want to Talk, drew a their sacrifices have been one of the homage to late filmmakers and ac-
mood of the evening. Observers not- standing ovation from the audience. main reasons I stand here today,” he tors whose contributions continue to
ed that such collaborations — from Visibly overwhelmed, Abhishek said, his words met with applause inspire generations. The stage came
brand campaigns with actors to joint took to the stage with moist eyes and teary smiles across the arena. alive with music, dance, and mul-
cultural initiatives — are redefining and a trembling voice. “This year Abhishek also paid tribute to timedia showcases celebrating 70
the boundaries between enterprise marks 25 years in the film industry, his father, legendary actor Amitabh years of Filmfare — a milestone that,
and entertainment. As India’s film and I cannot remember how many Bachchan, calling him “my hero,” fittingly, coincided with the evolving
sector expands globally, its partner- times I’ve practised a speech for alongside his daughter, “my other landscape of Indian entertainment
ships with business leaders are help- this award,” he said. “Receiving it hero.” The powerful father-daugh- itself.
ing to shape a new, integrated cultur- in front of my family makes it even ter theme echoed poignantly with I As the night drew to a close with
al economy. more special.” Want to Talk — a film about a Ben- confetti, applause, and camera flashes,
In a heartfelt moment, he ded- gali man who, upon learning he has it became evident that the 70th Film-
A NIGHT OF EMOTION icated the award to his wife Aish- just 100 days to live, tries to rebuild fare Awards were more than a cele-
warya Rai Bachchan and daughter his bond with his estranged young bration of movies. They were a reflec-
hile the event dazzled with Aaradhya, whose unwavering sup- daughter. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, tion of how Indian cinema, powered
performances and glitz, the port, he said, had anchored him the film was hailed for its emotional by talent, technology, and cross-in-
Wemotional highlight of the through years of struggle and self- depth and understated storytelling. dustry collaboration, continues to re-
evening came from Abhishek Bach- doubt. “To Aishwarya and Aaradhya, Beyond cinematic triumphs, the define storytelling for a new era.

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