In a landmark event for India’s creative industry, Punjab hosted its first-ever Animation Awards on April 5, 2025, in Ludhiana. Organized by TalentXpress, founded by Riya Arora and Rohit Arora, the ceremony aimed to recognize and honor outstanding contributions in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sectors.
The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 3,500 registrations, more than 500 nominees, and accolades presented across 80 diverse categories. Esteemed industry veteran Ashish Kulkarni graced the occasion, underscoring the significance of such initiatives in promoting regional talent and innovation.
A highlight of the evening was the Trailblazer Awards, which honored over 30 industry stalwarts for their pioneering contributions to the digital and creative sectors. Notable winners included:
- Best Video Production Company: Bideowale Framesingh – Mohit Middha and Puneet Singh Bedi
- Best Stand-up Star: Pritish Narula
- Best Influencer Family: Ramneek Singh Family (1313)
- Best DOP: Param Sambhi
- Best Editor: Gobindpuriya
- Best Rapper: Akshay Dhawan
- Best Voiceover Artist: Akshdeep Singh
- Best Entrepreneur: Mohit Arora
- Best Art Influencer: Ekamjot Singh
- Best Television Channel: Pitara
- Best OTT Platform: Chaupal
- Honour for Nanak-Noor-i-Ilahi: Vikas Prashar
- Most Trending on Spotify: Vagish Makkar
- First 3D Movie of Punjab: Baweja Studios
- Pride of Punjab: Taranjot Singh (finalist of Dance Deewane)
The ceremony also featured vibrant performances by digital influencers like Pritish Narula and the Ramneek Singh Family, adding entertainment and flair to the proceedings.
This inaugural event marks a significant step in recognizing and nurturing creative talent in Punjab, setting a precedent for future endeavors aimed at promoting excellence in the AVGC-XR industry.