The SWA Awards 2025 showcased exceptional talent in writing across film, television, and OTT platforms. Held in Mumbai, the event recognized notable works, with Amar Singh Chamkila and Kunal Kemmu standing out among the winners.
Highlights from SWA Awards 2025
The SWA Awards 2025 celebrated outstanding achievements in screenwriting, with Amar Singh Chamkila dominating the night. Imtiaz Ali and his team secured three major awards, showcasing their exceptional storytelling and screenplay skills. Kunal Kemmu, a first-time writer, also made a mark by winning for his work in Madgaon Express.
The event featured a unique moment where all nominees in the Best Debut (Film) category were recognized, emphasizing the diverse talent emerging in the industry. Historical dramas and web series also shone, with Freedom At Midnight and Raat Jawan Hai receiving accolades for their compelling narratives.
Key Award Winners
- Best Debut (Film): Shuchi Talati, Biplab Goswami, Sneha Desai, Bodhayan Roychaudhury
- Best Story (Film): Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali for Amar Singh Chamkila
- Best Dialogue (Film): Kunal Kemmu for Madgaon Express
Amar Singh Chamkila’s Dominance
Imtiaz Ali and his team delivered a remarkable performance at the SWA Awards 2025, securing three major accolades for their work on Amar Singh Chamkila. This film not only showcased exceptional storytelling but also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the writers involved. The recognition solidifies the film’s impact in the industry, marking a significant achievement for Ali and his team.
In a notable contrast, Kunal Kemmu, a first-time writer, garnered attention for his work on Madgaon Express, winning the Best Dialogue award. This recognition adds a fresh perspective to the awards, emphasizing the importance of new voices in storytelling.
Awards Won by Amar Singh Chamkila
- Best Story (Film)
- Best Screenplay (Film)
- Best Lyrics (Film)
Kunal Kemmu’s First Writing Award
Kunal Kemmu made a significant mark at the SWA Awards 2025 by winning his first writing award for Best Dialogue in the film Madgaon Express. This recognition highlights his talent as a writer, in addition to his established career as an actor. The award underscores the growing trend of actors venturing into writing, showcasing their versatility in the industry.
Kemmu’s win is particularly noteworthy as it comes amidst a competitive field, dominated by seasoned filmmakers like Imtiaz Ali, who took home several awards for Amar Singh Chamkila. This achievement not only enhances Kemmu’s profile but also reflects the evolving landscape of storytelling in Indian cinema.
Key Highlights of Kunal Kemmu’s Achievement
- First-time writer recognition at the SWA Awards.
- Best Dialogue award for Madgaon Express.
- Part of a growing trend of actors becoming writers.
Freedom At Midnight’s Success
Nikkhil Advani’s historical drama, Freedom At Midnight, made a significant impact at the SWA Awards 2025, dominating the web section. The show not only captured the audience’s attention but also garnered critical acclaim, leading to multiple wins in its category. This recognition highlights the growing importance of web dramas in the Indian entertainment landscape.
Abhinandan Gupta’s storytelling prowess was acknowledged with the Best Story award, while the collaborative effort of his writing team earned them the Best Screenplay title. This success marks a turning point for web content, showcasing that compelling narratives can thrive outside traditional cinema.
Key Wins for Freedom At Midnight
- Best Story (Web Drama) – Abhinandan Gupta
- Best Screenplay (Web Drama) – Abhinandan Gupta and team
- Best Dialogue (Web Comedy/Musical/Romance) – Khyati Anand-Puthran for Raat Jawan Hai
Historic Best Debut Film Award
The SWA Awards 2025 marked a significant milestone in recognizing new talent, particularly in the Best Debut Film category. In a historic first, all three nominees were honored with the award, showcasing the diverse storytelling emerging in Indian cinema.
Shuchi Talati for “Girls Will Be Girls,” Biplab Goswami and Sneha Desai for “Laapataa Ladies,” and Bodhayan Roychaudhury for “Sector 36” each received accolades, highlighting the vibrancy of fresh narratives. This collaborative recognition underscores the importance of supporting new voices in the film industry.
Winners of Best Debut Film
- Shuchi Talati – Girls Will Be Girls
- Biplab Goswami and Sneha Desai – Laapataa Ladies
- Bodhayan Roychaudhury – Sector 36
Winners in Film Categories
Imtiaz Ali’s film Amar Singh Chamkila dominated the SWA Awards 2025, winning three out of four major film categories. Alongside Ali, his writing team received accolades for Best Story and Best Screenplay, showcasing their exceptional work. Kunal Kemmu, a first-time writer, made his mark by winning Best Dialogue for Madgaon Express, adding to the diversity of talent recognized at the event.
The awards ceremony also highlighted the significance of new voices in cinema, as the Best Debut (Film) category saw a historic tie among three nominees. This recognition reflects the evolving landscape of storytelling in Indian cinema.
| Award Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Story (Film) | Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali for Amar Singh Chamkila |
| Best Dialogue (Film) | Kunal Kemmu for Madgaon Express |
Web Drama Achievements
The 6th edition of the Screenwriters Association Awards (SWA Awards 2025) celebrated remarkable talent in web drama. Notably, Abhinandan Gupta’s work on “Freedom at Midnight” garnered both the Best Story and Best Screenplay awards, highlighting the show’s impactful narrative and writing quality.
Khyati Anand-Puthran also made a significant mark, winning both Best Screenplay and Best Dialogue for “Raat Jawan Hai,” showcasing her versatility in the web comedy genre. The event underscored the growing importance and recognition of web content in the Indian entertainment landscape.
Key Web Drama Awards
- Best Story (Web Drama): Abhinandan Gupta for Freedom at Midnight
- Best Screenplay (Web Drama): Abhinandan Gupta, Adwitiya Kareng Das, Gundeep Kaur, and Revanta Sarabhai for Freedom at Midnight
- Best Dialogue (Web Drama): Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava for IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
TV Writing Honors
Imtiaz Ali and his team made a significant mark at the SWA Awards 2025, securing three major awards for their work on “Amar Singh Chamkila.” This achievement highlights the film’s strong narrative and engaging dialogue, showcasing the talent of the writing team. Kunal Kemmu also stood out as a first-time writer, winning the Best Dialogue award for “Madgaon Express,” further emphasizing the diversity of talent recognized at the event.
The awards ceremony celebrated various categories, including outstanding contributions in web dramas and TV shows. Notably, the Best Story and Best Screenplay awards for web dramas were claimed by “Freedom At Midnight,” underlining the growing importance of digital storytelling in the industry.
| Award Category | Winners |
|---|---|
| Best Story (Film) | Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali |
| Best Dialogue (Film) | Kunal Kemmu |
| Best Story (Web Drama) | Abhinandan Gupta |
Notable Lyrics Awards
The SWA Awards 2025 celebrated exceptional talent in the realm of songwriting, with Irshad Kamil taking home the award for Best Lyrics for his work on “Baaja” from Amar Singh Chamkila. This recognition highlights the impactful role of lyrics in enhancing cinematic storytelling.
In the television and web categories, JUNO’s “Feeling Nayi Hai” from Gullak season 4 also stood out, showcasing the growing importance of lyrical quality in modern series. The event underscored the diverse range of storytelling mediums, from film to web dramas, emphasizing the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment.
Key Steps in the Awards Process
- Submission of entries by writers and creators.
- Judging by a panel of esteemed screenwriters.
- Announcement of nominees and winners during the awards ceremony.
Judging Process for SWA Awards
The SWA Awards 2025 involved a meticulous judging process that spanned seven months. During this period, a jury of 15 esteemed screenwriters evaluated approximately 1,500 entries across various categories. The process included creating long lists, followed by short lists, leading to the final nominations.
The jury’s expertise ensured that the best works were recognized, balancing established talents with emerging voices. This year, notable films like “Amar Singh Chamkila” and “Madgaon Express” received significant accolades, showcasing the diversity of storytelling in Indian cinema.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Long List | Initial selection of entries based on criteria set by the jury. |
| Short List | Narrowed down entries that showed exceptional quality and creativity. |
| Nominations | Final selections that were ultimately considered for awards. |
Conclusion
The SWA Awards 2025 highlighted the remarkable achievements of screenwriters in the Indian film and web industry, with Amar Singh Chamkila leading the night with multiple accolades. Imtiaz Ali’s storytelling prowess was celebrated, while Kunal Kemmu’s debut as a writer marked a significant milestone in his career. The event also showcased the diversity of talent across various genres, with awards recognizing both established and emerging voices. This year’s ceremony not only honored individual achievements but also underscored the collaborative spirit that drives the creative landscape, setting a promising tone for future storytelling endeavors.
FAQs
What is the significance of the SWA Awards?
The SWA Awards celebrate excellence in screenwriting across various categories in film, web, and television, recognizing the creative contributions of writers.
Who were the big winners at the SWA Awards 2025?
Amar Singh Chamkila won three major awards, while Kunal Kemmu received recognition for his debut writing in Madgaon Express.
How were the winners selected for the SWA Awards?
Winners were determined through a rigorous process involving 1,500 entries judged by a jury of 15 esteemed screenwriters.
What was unique about the Best Debut (Film) category this year?
This year, the Best Debut (Film) award was shared among three nominees, marking a historic moment in the SWA Awards.
Where were the SWA Awards 2025 held?
The SWA Awards 2025 took place at a hotel in Mumbai, showcasing the talents of writers in the Indian film and television industry.