Young Talent Takes on Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor for Filmfare Best Actress

Who is the 17-year-old competing against Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor?

In the critics’ award for Best Actress, nominees include Alia Bhatt (*Jigra*), Kareena Kapoor (*The Buckingham Murders*), Nitanshi Goel (*Laapataa Ladies*), Pratibha Ranta (*Laapataa Ladies*), and Vidya Balan (*Do Aur Do Pyaar*).

Among these actresses, Kareena and Vidya are in their mid-40s, while Alia is 32 and Pratibha is 24. The youngest nominee, Nitanshi, turned 18 recently but was just 17 during filming.

Nitanshi’s earlier achievements

This isn’t the first time Nitanshi has faced off against experienced actresses. Earlier this year, she triumphed over Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Yami Gautam, and Shraddha Kapoor to win her first significant award at IIFA 2025, emerging as Best Actress in a Leading Role (Female).

Upon receiving the award, she humbly stated, “I wasn’t expecting this. I was hoping *Laapataa Ladies* would win big, but I didn’t think I would win myself. The other nominees were incredible, and I’m a huge fan of all of them.”

She also made her Cannes Film Festival debut a few months ago, stunning audiences with her appearance in an ivory saree, a nod to iconic female figures in Hindi cinema.

Nitanshi’s debut film and future projects

Nitanshi played Phool Kumari, a young bride, in her debut film *Laapataa Ladies*. Directed by Kiran Rao, this comedy-drama revolves around the amusing misadventures of two newlywed brides who get mixed up during a train journey.

Aside from *Laapataa Ladies*, she also appeared in *Maidaan*, directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, alongside Ajay Devgn. Her upcoming projects remain unannounced, but fans are keen to see what she does next.