Last night, the OTTPlay Awards 2025 took center stage in Mumbai, bringing together luminaries of the entertainment world to honor outstanding achievements in OTT media. In this star-studded event, director Imtiaz Ali emerged victorious, winning the Best Director award for his compelling work in Netflix’s “Amar Singh Chamkila” (2024). The film, featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, captivated audiences with its storytelling finesse and became a critical success.
Though the evening applauded “Amar Singh Chamkila,” fans couldn’t help but recall Ali’s iconic film “Rockstar,” starring Ranbir Kapoor. As the award was handed to Ali by OTTPlay’s Chief Business Officer Inderpreet Singh and his long-time collaborator Irshad Kamil, Ali delighted the audience with a clever nod to “Rockstar.” He began his acceptance speech with a playful twist on the film’s famous lyric: “Jo bhi main, kehna chahoon, barbaad kare, Irshad mere.” Not stopping there, he also incorporated a reference to “Nadaan Parinde,” another unforgettable track from the movie, penning a memorable moment for the crowd.
The heartfelt tribute to Ranbir Kapoor’s “Rockstar” contrasted with the evening’s focus on “Amar Singh Chamkila.” Ali described his connection to the film, saying, “About Chamkila, it was a very special experience for me. I felt closer to our country, the people, and once in a while, one needs an opportunity like that, to reintegrate with the masses, so called. Ultimately, the glory is always going to belong to Amar Singh Chamkila.”
Imtiaz Ali’s win not only acknowledged his brilliant direction but also reinforced his impact on Indian cinema, with references to past successes like “Rockstar” continuing to captivate audiences. As the event concluded, the buzz around “Amar Singh Chamkila” persisted, hinting that the film could usher in more accolades under Ali’s directorial prowess, all while fans eagerly await more memorable collaborations like the ones with Ranbir Kapoor.
