- Gujarati Iconic Film Awards marks a historic decade of cinematic excellence
- From 86 releases, 72 films race for honours in a landmark awards year
- Founders and jury reflect on credibility, transparency and cultural impact
- Stricter benchmarks define nominations in the Golden Decade edition
- All eyes now on the grand GIFA 2025 Award Night on February 28
NE ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, FEB 6
The Gujarati Iconic Film Awards (GIFA) entered a defining chapter of its journey on Thursday as it officially stepped into its 10th year, announcing nominations across 24 categories for GIFA 2025 and ushering in celebrations of its much-anticipated ‘Golden Decade’. Over the years, GIFA has evolved into a prestigious platform championing Gujarati cinema’s talent, creativity and cultural identity—both nationally and globally.
The milestone announcement was held on Friday at AMA, Ahmedabad, in the presence of GIFA founders Hetal Thakkar and Arvind Vegda, alongside an eminent jury comprising Mihir Bhuta, Vinod Ganatra, Srinivas Patro, Bipin Bapodra, Sheetal Shah, Jignesh Patel, Burzin Unwalla and Rakesh Pujara. The gathering reflected a decade of sustained credibility, industry trust and GIFA’s growing stature within the Gujarati film ecosystem.
As part of the Golden Decade celebrations, nominations were drawn from 86 Gujarati films released in 2025, with 72 films shortlisted for final contention across categories spanning Best Film, Direction, Actor–Actress, Supporting Roles, Music, Lyrics, Background Score, and a wide range of technical honours. Organisers reiterated that the selection process followed a fully transparent, merit-based and unbiased evaluation framework.
Jury members noted that, in view of GIFA’s decade-long legacy, this year’s selection process adhered to even more rigorous and professional standards, ensuring that recognition reaches only the most deserving talent in Gujarati cinema.
Addressing the gathering, Hetal Thakkar said: “Completing ten years of GIFA is not just a milestone, but a celebration of the successful journey of Gujarati cinema’s growth and its global recognition. In this Golden Decade, we are not only celebrating past achievements but also defining a new direction for the future.”
Echoing the sentiment, Arvind Vegda added: “Initiatives like GIFA, which celebrate Gujarati cinema, music, and culture together, serve as an inspiration for future generations. This Golden Decade celebration is a matter of pride for the entire industry.”
With the announcement of nominations and the formal commencement of Golden Decade celebrations, a renewed wave of enthusiasm, pride and anticipation has swept through the Gujarati film fraternity. GIFA 2025 is backed by Nuvoco Cement as Title Sponsor, Vasant Masala as Main Sponsor, Vraj Jewellers and Gujarat Tourism as Associate Sponsors, Connplex as Cinema Partner, and Radio Fever as Radio Partner.
The much-awaited GIFA 2025 Award Night is scheduled to be held on February 28 at Narayani Heights Hotel, with industry stakeholders and audiences alike eagerly counting down to Gujarati cinema’s biggest celebration.
GIFA 2025 | NOMINATIONS – KEY CATEGORIES
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – FEMALE
| Nominee | Film |
| Manasi Parekh | Misri |
| Deeksha Joshi | Kashi Raghav |
| Sonali Lele Desai | Bhram |
| Esha Kansara | Naankhatai |
| Rashmi Desai | Mom Tane Nai Samjay |
| Reeva Raach | Laalo |
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – MALE
| Nominee | Film |
| Shurud Goswami | Laalo |
| Raunaq Kamdar | Misri |
| Mallhar Thakar | All the Best Pandya |
| Mitra Gadhvi | Bhram |
| Hitu Kanodia | Chutta Cheda |
| Jayesh More | Kashi Raghav |
DEBUT ACTOR OF THE YEAR – FEMALE
| Nominee | Film |
| Helly Shah | Surprise |
| Sapana Vyas | Parvat |
| Neela Mulherkar | Jay Mataji Let’s Rock |
| Sonam Lamba | Vishwastha |
| Shilva Panchal | Kundaalu |
| Ishikaa Shirsath | Jalso |
DEBUT ACTOR OF THE YEAR – MALE
| Nominee | Film |
| Karan Joshi | Laalo |
| Swayam Gadhvi | Kundalu |
| Vatsal Sheth | Surprise |
| Bhavin Bhanushali | Jalso |
| Kartik J | Dasheera |
| Nikunj Modi | Vishwastha |
SUPPORTING & PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE)
| Nominee | Film |
| Kushal Mistry | Jeeja Sala Jeeja |
| Aarjav Trivedi | Umbroo |
| Tiku Talsaniya | Misri |
| Darshan Jariwala | All the Best Pandya |
| Manav Gohil | Jalebi Rocks |
| Ojas Rawal | Maharani |
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE)
| Nominee | Film |
| Netri Trivedi | Fari Ek Vaar |
| Nishma Soni | Bhram |
| Vandana Pathak | All the Best Pandya |
| Shraddha Danger | Maharani |
| Tusharika Rajyaguru | Shubhchintak |
| Vandana Pathak | Jay Mataji Let’s Rock |
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – NEGATIVE ROLE
| Nominee | Film |
| Krishna Bhardwaaj | Vishwaguru |
| Swapnil Joshi | Shubhchintak |
| Abhinay Banker | Bhram |
| Mehul Buch | Deda |
| Archan Trivedi | All the Best Pandya |
| Shekhar Shukla | Jay Mataji Let’s Rock |
ACTOR OF THE YEAR – COMIC ROLE
| Nominee | Film |
| Prem Gadhvi | Misri |
| Ragi Jani | Jeeja Sala Jeeja |
| Jitu Pandya | Bhola No Bhagwan |
| Sanjay Galsar | Umbroo |
| Sanjay Goradia | Maharani |
| Hemang Dave | Mom Tane Nai Samjay |
TOP HONOURS
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
| Nominee | Film |
| Ankit Sakhiya | Laalo |
| Abhishek | Umbroo |
| Manish Saini | Jay Mataji Let’s Rock |
| Rahul Bhole & Vinit Kanojia | All the Best Pandya |
| Kushal Naik | Misri |
| Dhruv Goswami | Kashi Raghav |
FILM OF THE YEAR
| Film | Production |
| Laalo | Soul Sutra |
| Jay Mataji Let’s Rock | Amdavad Films |
| Umbroo | Everest & Iraada AOP |
| Bhram | City Shore |
| All the Best Pandya | Jeegar Chauhan Production |
| Misri | Vraj Films |
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
| Nominee | Film |
| Smmit Jay | Laalo |
| Parth Bharat Thakkar | Misri |
| Mehul Surti | Umbroo |
| Ajay Jayanthi | Jay Mataji Let’s Rock |
| Vipul Barot & Swayaam | Kundalu |
| Siddharth A Bhavsar | Nankhatai |
BACKGROUND SCORE OF THE YEAR
| Nominee | Film |
| Darshan Shah | Bhram |
| Parth Bharat Thakkar | Misri |
| Manoj Krishna | Shubhchintak |
| Smmit Jay | Laalo |
| Siddharth A Bhavsar | Nankhatai |
| Vatsal – Kavan | Kashi Raghav |
