25th Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards

The 25th ITA Awards, held on December 17, 2024, at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre, marked 25 consecutive years of an unbroken annual tradition that started at the Oberoi Trident hotel in July 2001. You'll find that Anupamaa swept multiple categories, Netflix dominated OTT wins, and icons like Alia Bhatt and Manoj Bajpayee received special honors. Eleven legends earned the ITA Scroll of Honour. There's plenty more to uncover about this record-setting night.

Key Takeaways

• The 25th ITA Awards ceremony was held on December 17, 2024, at Jio World Convention Centre, marking 25 consecutive years of celebrating Indian television.
• "Anupamaa" dominated the evening, sweeping Best Serial, Best Director, Best Story, and Best Teleplay, plus additional supporting category wins.
• Netflix led OTT categories, earning multiple wins for "Black Warrant" including acting, directing, dialogue, and music awards.
• Alia Bhatt received the ITA Global Icon of Indian Cinema award, while Shobha Kapoor earned the Ramanand Sagar Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Eleven veterans received the ITA Scroll of Honour, including Shatrughan Sinha, Mukesh Khanna, Mona Singh, and Ronit Roy, celebrating career-long contributions.

25 Years of ITA: What Made the 25th Edition Historic

When the Indian Television Academy launched in July 2001, few could've predicted it would grow into one of the entertainment industry's most enduring institutions. Founded by Anu Ranjan, the academy held its first awards ceremony in November 2001, setting the foundation for an unbroken annual tradition that you can now trace across 25 consecutive years.

That's no small feat. Each edition represents a legacy milestone, documenting industry evolution through changing formats, faces, and storytelling styles. The 25th edition isn't just a number — it's proof of sustained commitment to television heritage that few organizations worldwide can match.

You're witnessing something genuinely significant here. The cultural impact of two and a half decades of recognizing talent has helped shape Indian entertainment into the powerhouse it's today. The awards were first presented on 6 July 2001 at the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai, giving the ceremony an iconic home from which this remarkable institution first took root.

Special Awards That Defined the 25th ITA Awards Night

Beyond the regular competitive categories, the 25th ITA Awards carved out space for five special recognitions that collectively told a richer story about where Indian entertainment stands today. From the red carpet to the acceptance speeches, these honors spotlighted legends and innovators alike:

• Alia Bhatt took home Global Icon of Indian Cinema
• Manoj Bajpayee earned Outstanding Contribution to Indian Entertainment
• Shankar Mahadevan and Ehsaan Loy jointly received Outstanding Contribution to Music & TV
• Arunabh Kumar claimed Pioneering Digital Content recognition
• Pratik Gandhi won Excellence in Performance across Film & OTT

Each award reflected a deliberate acknowledgment that Indian entertainment now spans television, film, music, and digital platforms simultaneously, making these special categories arguably the evening's most defining moments. The ITA Honorary Award is traditionally presented to television series, events, or personalities that have achieved legendary status through their contributions to Indian television.

Every Star Who Received the ITA Scroll of Honour

Spanning decades of television history, the 25th ITA Awards' Scroll of Honour went to eleven performers who've shaped Indian entertainment from its earliest days: Shatrughan Sinha, Rakesh Bedi, Shekhar Suman, Dilip Joshi, Javed Jaffrey, Naved Jaffrey, Ravi Behl, Mandira Bedi, Urvashi Dholakia, Mona Singh, Shivaji Satam, Mukesh Khanna, and Ronit Roy — each recognized for career-long contributions across acting, comedy, hosting, and iconic character portrayals that defined what Indian television looks and feels like today.

Veteran spotlights illuminated foundational figures like Shivaji Satam and Mukesh Khanna, whose character-driven performances remain deeply embedded in audience memory.

Comedy legacies got their due through Dilip Joshi, Javed Jaffrey, Naved Jaffrey, and Ravi Behl.

You'll also notice strong female representation, with Mandira Bedi, Urvashi Dholakia, and Mona Singh all earning well-deserved recognition. The ceremony itself was held at Jio World Convention Centre, bringing together honorees and current television stars under one roof for a milestone evening.

How the 25th ITA Awards Caught Up With OTT and Streaming?

Honoring decades of television legacy is one thing, but the 25th ITA Awards also had to reckon with where Indian entertainment is headed. While confirmed details on OTT categories and streaming partnerships remain limited, the ceremony clearly operated within an industry rapidly shifting toward digital consumption.

Picture:

• Nominees scrolling through recognition on their phones via streaming platforms
• Award categories potentially expanding beyond traditional broadcast formats
• Streaming partnerships quietly reshaping how audiences watched the ceremony itself
• Digital content creators sitting alongside television veterans in the audience
• OTT categories emerging as conversation starters among industry insiders

You're watching an awards show that's balancing its television roots against an undeniably digital future. The 25th ITA Awards existed at that crossroads, whether it fully leaned in or not. Industry data now shows that nearly 25% of viewership for Indian OTT and digital programming originates from overseas, signaling just how far the reach of Indian content has stretched beyond its traditional domestic audience.

OTT Wins That Changed the Game at the 25th ITA Awards

The 25th ITA Awards didn't just acknowledge OTT — it handed the digital space some of its most competitive wins of the night. Netflix's streaming dominance was undeniable, sweeping drama, comedy, and original film categories. Black Warrant alone collected acting, directing, dialogue, and music awards, proving that creative collaborations between Vikramaditya Motwane's team delivered one of the strongest showings of the evening.

Zahan Kapoor and Raghubir Yadav earned acting recognition for Netflix and Prime Video respectively, while Boman Irani made history by winning dual original film awards across Prime Video and ZEE5. Sanya Malhotra, Ayesha Raza, and Surveen Chawla added to OTT's acting depth across three different platforms. You're watching a shift where streaming platforms aren't just competing — they're consistently outperforming traditional broadcast categories. The ceremony itself took place at Jio World Convention Centre, reinforcing Mumbai's status as the entertainment industry's premier destination for landmark televised events.

Upset Wins and Unexpected Names at the 25th ITA Awards

While most award show narratives follow predictable frontrunners, the 25th ITA Awards delivered at least one moment that genuinely caught the room off guard.

Priya Thakur emerged among the surprise victors when she claimed Best Actress (Jury) for her role as Vasudha on ZEE TV. Her win stood apart from popular vote categories, making her one of the night's most memorable jury favorites.

Picture these details from her unexpected triumph:

• A hushed auditorium processing an unscripted moment
• Priya's name cutting through pre-show predictions
• Jury members rewarding a nuanced dramatic performance
• Attendees exchanging surprised glances across the venue
• A ZEE TV actress stepping into an unexpected spotlight

You witnessed proof that jury recognition sometimes defies every public expectation.

Which Stars and Shows Set Records at the 25th ITA Awards?

Dominating the 25th ITA Awards, "Anupamaa" swept multiple categories spanning acting, directing, writing, and technical honors, making it the night's clear standout. The Star Plus drama claimed Best Serial, Best Director, Best Story, and Best Teleplay, cementing its Anupamaa dominance across the board. Supporting performances by Kanwarjit Paintal and Shruti Ulfat further strengthened Star Plus's commanding presence.

Among Reality winners, "Kaun Banega Crorepati 16" and "Super Dancer Season 5" captured top honors on Sony's network, while Kapil Sharma earned recognition on Netflix.

OTT breakthroughs were equally impressive — Zahan Kapoor won for "Black Warrant," and Surveen Chawla triumphed for "Criminal Justice – A Family Matter." Alia Bhatt's designation as ITA Global Icon of Indian Cinema rounded out a record-setting night across platforms.

Complete 25th ITA Awards Winners List

Spanning drama, comedy, OTT, and honorary categories, the 25th ITA Awards distributed recognition broadly across India's entertainment landscape.

You'll find the ceremony highlights covered these key winners:

• Rupali Ganguly took Best Actress (Popular) for Anupamaa
• Krushna Abhishek claimed Best Comedian for Laughter Chefs
• Zahan Kapoor won Best Actor—Drama Series (OTT) for Black Warrant
• Dilip Joshi earned both Fan Favourite Comedy Actor and the Milestone Award
• Shobha Kapoor received the Ramanand Sagar Lifetime Achievement Award

Fan reactions celebrated the diversity of winning shows, spanning Star Plus, Netflix, Sony SAB, and &TV.

Shatrughan Sinha, Rakesh Bedi, and Shekhar Suman each earned ITA Scroll of Honour recognition. Harshad Chopda took home Best Actor (Popular) for his performance in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain Naya Season.

The December 17, 2024, ceremony at Jio World Convention Centre cemented television's expanding creative range.