Siddhant Chaturvedi took home the Power Packed Performer of the Year award for his impactful portrayal of Neelesh in Dhadak 2, a performance that has resonated strongly with both critics and audiences.
In his acceptance note, Siddhant highlighted the late Saksham Tate, who lost his life to an inter-caste honour killing, and wove his tribute into a powerful message:
“This award… isn’t just mine. It belongs to everyone who has ever been outcast, pushed aside, discriminated against yet still found the strength to stand up, fight back, and claim their right to simply exist. And lastly, I dedicate this to the late Saksham Tate… survived by his family and by Aanchal. My heart goes out to you.”
He further expressed gratitude to director Shazia Iqbal (@shaz.3.0) for protecting the film “through every storm,” and to writer Rahul Badwelkar, who “turned silence into truth” through his words.
With this deeply personal dedication, Siddhant used his moment of recognition to amplify real-world stories of injustice, underscoring why narratives like Dhadak 2 must continue to be told—with courage, empathy and unflinching honesty.