Kanwar Dhillon balances shoots, physio, and dance practice for live performance

The Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards 2025 became a memorable evening for Kanwar Dhillon, who impressed the audience with a powerful live performance and also won the Best Actor (Jury) Award. With ITA celebrating its 25th anniversary, the night marked an important milestone in Kanwar’s professional journey.

This was Kanwar’s second consecutive year performing at the ITA Awards, but it held special significance as it was his first-ever live stage performance. Calling the experience surreal, he shared that live performances come with a completely different kind of pressure. There are no retakes or second chances, and the performer has to stay fully present in the moment while drawing energy directly from the audience.

Inspired by Icons, Driven by the Stage

Kanwar reflected on how watching legendary performers like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Govinda on award-show stages had inspired him during his early years as a viewer. Even today, he finds motivation in their energy and stage presence, which pushes him to challenge himself and attempt performances that test his limits.

Despite juggling an extremely demanding shooting schedule for Udne Ki Aasha, Kanwar ensured that rehearsals were never compromised. He often rehearsed late at night after pack-up, sometimes even around midnight. Managing shoots, physiotherapy sessions, and dance practice was physically exhausting, especially as he was also dealing with a shoulder ligament injury. However, he remained determined not to let anything come in the way of his performance and stayed focused on giving his best on stage.

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Kanwar opened his act with the high-energy track Naacho Naacho from RRR, a choice that initially pushed him out of his comfort zone. He admitted that not every step came naturally, especially with such a demanding song. Over time, however, the performance became one of the most enjoyable parts of his act.

The remaining numbers featured a mix of popular Bollywood hook-step songs. While Kanwar did not personally curate the playlist, he credited the ITA team and choreographers for understanding him as a performer. According to him, the song selection suited his style and personality well, and he was extremely satisfied with the final performance, which stood out as one of the evening's highlights.

A Night of Recognition and Fulfilment

Adding to the celebration was Kanwar's win of the Best Actor (Jury) Award, a moment he described as deeply fulfilling. With Udne Ki Aasha also earning multiple nominations, the night felt even more special. Holding the ITA trophy for the first time made the win particularly rewarding for him.

The awards ceremony, held at a new venue this year, brought a fresh energy to the celebrations. Kanwar concluded by sharing that performing live in front of a large audience is very different from acting for the camera. The feeling, he said, can only be truly understood by experiencing it firsthand.