A grand tribute event was held in the capital on the 155th birth anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke, the revered Father of Indian Cinema. The event was spearheaded by his great-granddaughter, Vandana Gautam, who used the occasion to unveil the first list of awardees for the upcoming Dadasaheb Phalke International Filmfare Awards 2025 (DPIFA 2025).
Held in Delhi, the commemorative event brought together a vibrant mix of film producers, directors, politicians, and celebrated artists who paid homage to the cinematic legend. Vandana Gautam, dressed elegantly in a white ball gown adorned with a diamond crown, hosted the evening’s proceedings.
As part of the celebrations, Gautam officially announced the first list of DPIFA 2025 honorees. The awards recognize excellence and legacy in Indian cinema, with some of Bollywood’s most iconic names being celebrated:
- Shri Dharmendra – Honoured with Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime World Famous Star award
- Shrimati Hema Malini – Titled Legendary Dadasaheb World’s Forever Dream Girl
- Rahul Roy – Received Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Most Romantic Star of Bollywood
- Nora Fatehi – Honoured as Dadasaheb Phalke Queen of Dance in Bollywood
- Urvashi Rautela – Recognized for Best Dancer in Dabidi Dibidi Song
- Malaika Arora – Awarded Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Forever Young Diva in Bollywood
- Salman Khan – Named Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Humanity Ambassador
- Shrimati Rekha – Presented with the Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
- Shri Amitabh Bachchan – Also received the Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
- Baba Sehgal – Celebrated as Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Birth Giver of Pop Songs in India
- Shankar Sahney – Awarded Legendary Dadasaheb Phalke Forever Best Singer in Mahamritunjay Mantra Song
The event concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting in honor of the DPIFA 2025, followed by a cultural evening of dance and dinner. Vandana Gautam, who continues to carry forward her great-grandfather’s legacy, emphasized that the awards aim to bridge the glorious past of Indian cinema with its vibrant present.
