Mumbai, November 28, 2025 – Ahaan Panday received his first-ever award at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year ceremony, held tonight in Mumbai. The rising star, visibly moved, admitted to practicing his acceptance speech "in front of the mirror 400 times."
The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Awards, now in its 15th edition, celebrated individuals who have significantly impacted the nation through their achievements. This year's theme, "India's Invincible Icons," highlighted changemakers who have inspired millions. The awards spanned eight categories, including Entertainment, Business, Influencer, Rising Sports Stars, Youth Icon, Global Indian, Iconic Woman Achiever, and Climate Warrior.
Panday, known for his recent performance in the blockbuster film "Saiyaara," was presented with the award in the Youth Icon category. Upon receiving the honor, he shared his gratitude and a touch of humor, stating, "I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award. I may have practiced this speech in front of the mirror about 400 times, but in this moment, I am still at a loss for words."
The event was attended by a host of prominent personalities, including World Cup-winning cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, coach Amol Muzumdar, and ICC Chairperson Jay Shah. The Blind Women's T20 World Cup champions were also present, symbolizing national pride. Panday's "Saiyaara" co-star, Aneet Padda, joined him in celebrating the occasion.
Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor of CNN-News18, emphasized the importance of the awards, stating, "CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is a platform that celebrates individuals who inspire millions of Indians to dream big and carve out their own league, just as we strive to do at CNN-News18".
Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, noted that this year’s achievers have set new benchmarks and brought global recognition to India.
The winners were selected by an eminent jury panel comprising respected leaders from various fields, including Sanjiv Goenka, former CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice Indu Malhotra (Retd.), Prasoon Joshi, Mahesh Jethmalani, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Amitabh Kant, Shefali Shah, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Gagan Narang, and Lara Dutta. Their expertise ensured a rigorous evaluation process.
The CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Awards have been a hallmark of credibility since their inception in 2006, honoring those who inspire the nation to achieve greater heights. The event was broadcast live on CNN-News18 and its YouTube channel.
