The Asian Media Awards 2025 Finalists

The 2025 Asian Media Awards (AMA) finalists were announced on September 23 at the iconic BBC Broadcasting House, London.

It recognises the work of journalists, writers, broadcasters and bloggers from across the UK.

The shortlist also highlights the contribution of media professionals in the creative and marketing industry.

It will be the 13th awards ceremony and the event will take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on October 31, 2025.

The event has seen many familiar winners in the past, with the likes of Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Nina Wadia and Anita Rani winning awards.

The Asian Media Awards are supported by the University of Salford.

An Asian Media Awards spokesperson said: “It is wonderful to be hosting our shortlist announcement at BBC Broadcasting House for the first time.

“The Asian Media Awards shortlist announcement hears from some of the country’s foremost media personalities as well as those starting out in their careers.

“During the past year, journalists, broadcasters, writers, bloggers and performers have been at the forefront of highlighting a range of issues.

“They have also been working to dispel myths and misconceptions about all communities.

“We are looking forward to revealing the finalists ahead of the 2025 ceremony later in October.”

DESIblitz is also proud to be shortlisted for the ‘Best Blog/Website’ award.

Established in 2008 and a four-time AMA winner for ‘Best Website/Publication’, the website has earned its publication status by growing tremendously with a large UK and international reach, especially in South Asia.

To reflect the diverse lifestyle content, the publication is organised into 10 main categories. Namely, Arts & Culture, Brit-Asian, Fashion, Film & TV, Food, Health & Beauty, Music & Dance, Sport, Trends and Taboo. These categories then have further subcategories, giving visitors more granular choices.

With its strapline, News, Gossip and Gupshup, the website is not only a lifestyle publication but also has expanded into providing two sister websites to its audience. Namely:

• DESIblitz Jobs – which provides jobs from employers looking to enhance diversity in the workplace.
• DESIblitz Shop – which offers visitors Desi attire and products to purchase.

Whilst being an established publication in British Asian media, its main aim has always been to develop young British Asian writers, journalists and content creators, thus producing high-quality editorial content with the input of a diverse team.

With a talented team of writers and journalists based in the UK and South Asia, the publication’s content is produced with context, richness and locality in mind.

The platform has created opportunities in an industry which is hard to ‘get into’ and aims to continue to do so and grow the team across the UK and internationally.

Managing Director Indi Deol said:

“Being shortlisted for Best Website is a huge honour and a testament to the dedication of our team at DESIblitz.”

“From day one, our mission has been to create a platform that not only celebrates British Asian culture but also connects with global audiences in meaningful ways.

“This recognition reinforces our role as a trusted voice in digital media, reaching millions of readers and opening powerful opportunities for brands to engage with diverse communities.”

The Complete Shortlist for the Asian Media Awards 2025

Journalism

Journalist of the Year
Ashna Hurynag – Correspondent, Sky News
Manisha Ganguly – Investigations Correspondent, The Guardian
Noor Nanji – Culture reporter, BBC News
Divya Talwar – Investigative Journalist, BBC News
Darshna Soni – Communities Editor, Channel 4 News
Piriyanga Thirunimalan – Reporter, Daily Mail
Rahil Sheikh – Investigative Journalist, BBC Panorama

Best Investigation
From a Smugglers TikTok to Tragedy – Reha Kansara for BBC News
A Deadly Scheme: Palestinians Face Indiscriminate Gunfire at Food Sites – Manisha Ganguly for The Guardian
Gaza Babies Dying of Starvation – Produced by Roohi Hasan, Reported by John Ray for ITN ITV News
MasterChef Investigation – Noor Nanji for BBC News
The Killing Call – Ishleen Kaur for BBC Eye Investigation & the BBC World Service
The 12m Rental Scam: Untold – Harleen Nottay for Channel 4

Regional Journalist of the Year
Emb Hashmi – Journalist, BBC Birmingham
Fahad Tariq – Content Editor, Glasgow Live
Ushma Mistry – Reporter, BBC CWR Radio
Ravneet Nandra – Reporter, ITV Central
Rajiv Popat – Broadcast Journalist, ITV Central
Shehnaz Khan – Journalist, BBC West Midlands

Outstanding Young Journalist
Sawdah Bhaimiya – CNBC Make It
Mustakim Hasnath – The Associated Press
Amrit Singh Mann – Sky News
Samaira Iqbal – Presenter and Reporter

Sports Journalist of the Year
Ayisha Gulati – Sports Journalist, Hayters TV
Miriam Walker-Khan – Diversity and Inclusion Reporter, Sky Sports News
Um-E-Aymen Babar – Sports Journalist, Sky Sports News
Aadam Patel – Reporter, Daily Mail
Aatif Nawaz – Journalist and Broadcaster
Ayman Khan – Lead Reporter, Seconds Out
Nikesh Rughani – Cricket & Football Correspondent

Report of the Year
Bhim Kohli Family Interview – Rajiv Popat for ITV Central
Epping Hotel Demonstration – Sabah Choudhry for 5 News
Inside the Camp for Asylum Seekers – Darshna Soni for Channel 4
Operation Blue Star 40 Years on – Monika Plaha for Sunday Morning Live
Student Visa Scam Investigation – Amy Johnston for BBC Midlands Investigations
Woman, Life, Surveillance – Reha Kansara for BBC News

Radio

Radio Presenter of the Year
Dipps Bhamrah
Raj Baddhan
Shay Grewal
Shruti Chohan
Summaya Mughal

Best Radio Show
The Bhangra showdown with Ameet Chana – Sunrise Radio
The South Indian & Tamil Entertainment Show with Pritt – BBC Asian Network
New Music Show with DJ Limelight – BBC Asian Network
RadioWalli’s Rollercoaster – Lyca Radio
Lyca Mid-Morning Show with Khush Saikia – Lyca Radio
Rena Annobil – BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Surrey & BBC Radio Sussex

Radio Station of the Year
Awaaz Radio
Heritage Radio
Lyca Radio
Spice FM
Sunrise Radio

TV

Best TV Character
Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati – EastEnders
Asim Chaudhry as Shakil Khan – Person of Interest
Guz Khan as Mobeen – Man Like Mobeen
Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq – Emmerdale
Staz Nair as Harry Virdee – Virdee

Best Programme
Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges – Freemantle for BBC
The Soldiers That Saved Britain – Cardiff Productions for Channel 4
Beyond the Boundary: The Story of British South Asian Cricketers – Sky Sports Cricket
Eid Live and Celebrity Eid – Amplify Consulting Ltd & Firecracker Films for BBC

Best Show
Man Like Mobeen
Nikhil & Jay
Person of Interest
Virdee

Marketing & PR

Creative PR Award
Sisters of Strength – United to End Abuse – Anisha Vasani Creates for Luxurist Magazine
No Stone Unturned: Kidney Health Campaign for the South-Asian Community – Intent Health for Alynlam Pharmaceuticals with National Kidney Federation & South Asian Health Action
MTV UK’s Chaiming In – MTV UK
Thrive Live – Nadia Nadarajah for Cambridgeshire Deaf Association
Rotibox Campaign – Sophia Choudry for Rotibox
HISSTORY: A Father’s Legacy in Words – PR UK for Foundxrs Club

Media Agency of the Year
Curzon PR
FNIK PR
Podlounge
PR UK

Live Productions

Best Stage Production
A Tupperware of Ashes – Written by Tanika Gupta, Directed by Pooja Ghai for National Theatre.
Bhaijaan – Written and Directed by Abir Mohammad, The Hope Theatre. Featuring Samir Mahat & Rubayet Al Sharif.
Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical – Directed by Aditya Chopra, Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin; Music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (Vishal & Sheykhar), Yash Raj Films.
Expendable – Written by Emteaz Hussain, Directed by Esther Richardson, Royal Court Theatre.
Maya Bartley, Avita Jay, Lena Kaur, Gurjeet Singh & Humera Syed.
Marriage Material – By Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. Based on the novel by Sathnam Sanghera. Directed by Iqbal Khan. A Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Birmingham Rep co-production.
Sisters 360 – Written by Asif Khan, Directed by Ameera Conrad. A Polka Theatre, AIK Productions and Turtle Key Arts co-production in association with Leeds Playhouse. Featuring Sara Abanur & Farah Ashraf.
Speed – Written by Mohamed-Zain Dada and directed by Milli Bhatia, Bush Theatre. Featuring Nikesh Patelm, Sabrina Sandhu, Arian Nik & Shazia Nicholls.
Statues – Written and performed by Azan Ahmed, Bush Theatre. Originally developed by Nuu Theatre.

Outstanding Stage Performance
Azan Ahmed as Yusuf in Statues
Adeel Ali as Yasser in 10 Nights
Jena Pandya as Simran in Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical
Lena Kaur as Yasmin in Expendable
Roshani Abbey as Eliza in Hamilton
Nina Wadia as Gemma Warner in NOW That’s What I Call a Musical
Shobna Gulati as Sue in Through It All Together
Talia Palamathanan as Jennifer Parker in Back to The Future

Best Live Event
Asian Network Certified – BBC Asian Network
Azaadi Stage at Glastonbury – Going South, Lila Music & Shangri-La
Bombay Superstars: The Concert – Phizzical Productions
The ‘Dil-Luminati’ Tour UK – Diljit Dosanjh
Chila Welcomes You – Chila Kumari Singh Burman and the Imperial War Museum

Print & Online

Best Blog/Website
A Rosie World
Be-Lavie
BizAsia Live
DESIblitz.com

Best Podcast
Beard Before Wicket
Crime Next Door: Who Killed the Shakoors?
Global Indian Creatives Podcast
Making a Husband Podcast
The Dad Project
The Feel Inspired Project

Special Awards

Best Video Channel
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Best Newcomer
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Diversity In Media Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

The Sophiya Haque Services to British Television, Film & Theatre Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Media Personality of the Year
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Outstanding Contribution to Media Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

All winners are to be announced at the AMA ceremony on October 31, 2025.

With an array of outstanding nominees, the 13th Asian Media Awards looks set to be a success, celebrating the ongoing efforts of British Asians in the media industry.

Good luck to all the Asian Media Awards 2025 finalists!