Mumbai: The Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) 2025 is set to return to Mumbai on December 1, bringing together the finest talent from Hindi cinema and the digital entertainment ecosystem. Presented by M3M India, this year’s edition will honour exceptional creativity across both mediums under its unified format — TOIFA-OTT and TOIFA Theatrical Edition.
TOIFA 2025 will recognise outstanding achievements in theatrical films and OTT originals, including web films and series released between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Strengthening audience engagement, the People’s Choice Voting Awards will allow fans across the country to celebrate their favourite stars and watch them take centre stage at one of the industry’s most prestigious events.
Leading the creative and selection process is an eminent Advisory Council comprising Siddharth Roy Kapur, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Nikkhil Advani, Shoojit Sircar, Rajkumar Hirani, Sameer Nair, Sonu Nigam, Ajay-Atul, Raveena Tandon, Kabir Khan, and Madhureeta Mukherjee. Their collective expertise reinforces TOIFA’s mission to create a powerful convergence of cinematic excellence and digital innovation.
Setting a new benchmark in award selection, TOIFA features a first-of-its-kind multi-layered evaluation structure in India. The TOIFA Academy includes members from the Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC), Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), and Indian Film & Television Director’s Association (IFTDA), alongside the Advisory Council and a Screening Jury — ensuring a process rooted in integrity, objectivity, and industry-wide participation.
Sivakumar Sundaram, CEO of The Times of India, shared, “At The Times of India, we’ve always celebrated creativity in all its forms. The new edition of TOIFA expands that canvas, honouring both OTT and theatrical excellence, recognising the full spectrum of India’s storytelling talent. This evolution reflects our enduring belief in credibility, inclusion, and the timeless power of great stories to inspire audiences everywhere.”
Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur remarked, “I look forward to the latest edition of TOIFA celebrating the wonderful work put forward by all filmmaking disciplines in the last year. My experience with TOIFA has been exemplary, and I commend them for their vision of creating an unbiased and objective framework to acknowledge the best talent our industry has to offer!”
Expressing his enthusiasm, Sonu Nigam said, “These awards will celebrate the fabulous work that has been put together in 2024. I’d like to put in a word of appreciation for TOIFA that has put together an unbiased and objective framework to acknowledge the outstanding performances and creative brilliance the film industry has showcased.”
Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor added, “Filmmaking is one of the most challenging yet deeply rewarding creative fields. True filmmakers don’t chase fame, the story is always the hero, and distribution its heroine. We’ve always rooted for the story first. Everything else follows. Winning an Oscar is just a moment in a long journey. There are many more milestones ahead for every Indian filmmaker who stands by bold, honest storytelling. Awards matter because they motivate creativity in a space where success isn’t always quantifiable. What I appreciate about TOIFA is its democratic structure, a three-tier voting process that involves genuine industry participation, and that it is creating a truly trustworthy and lasting platform to celebrate Indian cinema.”
In a significant move, TOIFA 2025 will also spotlight women in cinema with three special honours — Visionary Woman of the Year, Powerful Voice in Cinema, and Champions of Change. These awards will recognise trailblazing women whose creative courage, boundary-pushing vision, and influential contributions continue to shape Indian cinema and elevate it on the global stage.
With its expanded framework, democratic voting process, and inclusive recognition across formats, TOIFA 2025 is poised to be one of the most comprehensive celebrations of Indian storytelling talent.
