The Gujarati Entertainment & Gujarati–Marwari Excellence Awards 2025 lit up Mumbai with an evening dedicated to celebrating Gujarati entertainment, culture, and entrepreneurial excellence. Held at The Westin Hotel, Mumbai, the event brought together leading names from the entertainment industry, business community, and influential voices from across Gujarat and beyond.
This inaugural edition of the Gujarati Entertainment & Gujarati–Marwari Excellence Awards, curated by Bright Outdoor Media Limited, was a grand confluence of glamour and business excellence, recognizing remarkable talent and visionary leadership across 60 categories.
A key highlight of the evening was an engaging panel discussion on the theme “Future of Gujarati Cinema – Building Visibility & Growth Beyond Boundaries”, featuring eminent personalities including Manoj Joshi, Hiten Kumar, JD Majithia, Ojas Rawal, Bhakti Rathod, and Abhilash Ghoda. The session was moderated by renowned TV9 Gujarati journalist Chirag Shah from Ahmedabad, and explored opportunities to take Gujarati cinema to new audiences globally.
The awards night witnessed an unprecedented turnout from the Gujarati entertainment fraternity, with the presence of celebrated names like Anang Desai, Rashmi Desai, Manasi Parekh, Manav Gohil, Urvashi Upadhyay, Hemant Kher, Komal Thakkar, Sana Sultan, and many more.
Among the key honors of the evening:
· Manoj Joshi received the “Lifetime Achievement to Indian Cinema” Award
· Hiten Kumar received the “Iconic Actor In Gujarati Cinema (Male)” Award
· JD Majethia received the “Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema” Award
· Manav Gohil received the “Excellent Performance of the Year” Award (Jalebi Rocks)
· Komal Thakkar received the “Inspiring Personality of the Year” Award
· Rashmi Desai received the MOST POPULAR ACTOR (MOM TANE NAI SAMJAY) Award
· Urvashi Upadhyay was felicitated with “Outstanding Contribution to Indian Television”
· Sana Sultan was honored as the “Style Queen of Digital Space”
· Ojas Rawal received “Best Comic Role (Maharani)” Award
· Bhakti Rathod won “People’s Choice Best Performance (Pushpa Impossible)” Award
The evening also honored visionary business leaders from the Gujarati and Marwari communities, recognizing their contribution to trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The event was Powered by Sejal Realty, with Zamin Pvt. Ltd. as the Land Deal Partner, Malabar Gold as the Exclusive Jewellery Partner, supported by Saurabh Mehta, Riyasat as the Ethnic Wear Partner, Florencia as the Fragrances Partner
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, CMD of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, said: “Gujarati entertainment and business communities have always been known for their excellence and entrepreneurial spirit. Through this platform, we aim to celebrate their contribution and create a national-level IP that will only grow bigger and brighter in the years to come.”
Mukesh Sharma, CEO of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, added: “This is just the beginning of a powerful journey. Our vision is to make the Gujarati Entertainment & Gujarati–Marwari Excellence Awards a marquee annual event that celebrates culture, talent, and success stories from across the nation.”
With over 60 awards presented across various categories, this first chapter of the awards marked the beginning of a new cultural milestone for the Gujarati and Marwari communities.