The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 is set to return with grandeur, credibility, and a renewed focus on honoring true cinematic excellence. Organized by the Indian Express Group, the prestigious awards ceremony has built a reputation over the years as one of the most respected recognitions in Indian cinema.
This year’s edition promises to be bigger and more transparent than ever before, celebrating outstanding achievements across the Indian film industry while also acknowledging the growing influence of OTT productions.
Scheduled to take place on April 5 in Mumbai, the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 will bring together some of the biggest stars, filmmakers, technicians, and creators from across the country. The ceremony will recognize excellence across 31 categories, spanning theatrical releases as well as films made for digital platforms.
The event is expected to be a grand evening of celebration, honoring the creativity, dedication, and innovation that drive the world of cinema.
When and Where to Watch Chetak Screen Awards 2026
Film lovers across India and around the world will have multiple ways to watch the Chetak Screen Awards 2026.
The ceremony will take place in Mumbai, the heart of the Indian film industry. Audiences can tune in to watch the event through both television and digital platforms.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
- Date: April 5, 2026
- Location: Mumbai, India
- Live Streaming: YouTube and Sony LIV
- Television Broadcast: Sony TV
- Broadcast Time: 8:00 PM IST
This wide availability ensures that fans can enjoy the event from anywhere, whether they prefer traditional television or online streaming platforms.
Who Is Hosting the Chetak Screen Awards 2026?
One of the most exciting aspects of the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 is its lineup of hosts.
This year, the ceremony will be led by Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses. Known for her powerful performances in films such as Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Highway, Bhatt brings both star power and charisma to the stage.
Joining her are two popular entertainers known for their humor and stage presence:
- Sunil Grover, actor and comedian famous for his comic timing
- Zakir Khan, a renowned stand-up comedian with a massive fan following
Adding an insightful touch to the hosting panel is Saurabh Dwivedi, the Hindi editor of the Indian Express, who will also share hosting duties during the evening.
Together, the hosts promise a mix of glamour, humor, and engaging conversations throughout the night.
A New Focus on Merit and Transparency
One of the defining features of the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 is its commitment to restoring credibility to film awards in India.
Over the years, award ceremonies have sometimes faced criticism for favoritism or lack of transparency. The Screen Awards aim to address these concerns by focusing strictly on talent, artistic merit, and fair evaluation.
The event will not only recognize actors but also celebrate the work of technicians who contribute behind the scenes. Categories will highlight contributions from:
- Directors
- Writers
- Cinematographers
- Editors
- Sound designers
- Costume designers
- Production designers
This comprehensive recognition ensures that every creative force involved in filmmaking receives appreciation.
Films Leading the Nomination Race
The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 nominations feature a diverse lineup of films that captured audiences and critics alike.
Among them, one film stands out in the nomination count.
Dhurandhar – The Front-Runner
The spy thriller “Dhurandhar”, directed by Aditya Dhar, has emerged as the most nominated film this year with 24 nominations.
The movie was a major box-office success and received praise for its gripping narrative, powerful performances, and technical brilliance.
Saiyaara – Romantic Musical Favorite
Following closely behind is “Saiyaara,” a romantic musical directed by Mohit Suri, which earned 17 nominations.
The film’s music and emotional storytelling made it one of the year’s most talked-about releases.
Homebound – A Story of Friendship
Another strong contender is “Homebound,” directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. The film received 15 nominations, thanks to its heartfelt portrayal of friendship and human relationships.
How Winners Are Selected
The winners of the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 are chosen by the Screen Academy, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining fairness in the awards process.
The academy consists of more than 50 respected figures from the film and cultural community, including directors, actors, technicians, and industry experts.
To ensure transparency and objectivity, the awards use a structured evaluation system designed by Dr. Priya Jaikumar, a professor and head of the Department of Cinema and Media Studies at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.
This detailed judging framework helps ensure that awards are decided based on clear criteria rather than popularity alone.
Members of the Screen Academy
The Screen Academy includes some of the most respected professionals in Indian cinema and culture. Their expertise helps maintain the credibility and fairness of the awards.
Notable members include:
- Abhishek Chaubey – Director and screenwriter
- Amit Ray – Production designer
- Amritpal Singh Bindra – Filmmaker and writer
- Anand Mahindra – Industrialist and cultural patron
- Anil Mehta – Cinematographer
- Atul Mongia – Casting director and acting coach
- Biswadeep Chatterjee – Sound designer
- Deepa Bhatia – Film editor and writer
- Deepa Mehta – Director and screenwriter
- Feroz Abbas Khan – Theatre director and writer
- Gaurav Gandhi – Head of Amazon Prime Video APAC
- Gautam Ghose – Director and cinematographer
- Guneet Monga Kapoor – Film producer
- Jaideep Sahni – Screenwriter and lyricist
- John Abraham – Actor and producer
- Kabir Khan – Film director
- Karan Johar – Filmmaker and producer
- Kausar Munir – Lyricist and screenwriter
- Manish Malhotra – Fashion designer and producer
- Mukesh Chhabra – Casting director
- Nagesh Kukunoor – Director and writer
- Payal Kapadia – Director
- Pritam Chakraborty – Music composer
- Prosenjit Chatterjee – Actor and producer
- Rahul Dholakia – Director
- Rajkumar Hirani – Filmmaker
- Ram Madhvani – Director
- Ronnie Screwvala – Producer and entrepreneur
- Shyamak Davar – Choreographer
- Shoojit Sircar – Director
- Siddharth Roy Kapur – Producer
- Sriram Raghavan – Director
- Subhash Ghai – Filmmaker and educator
- Sujoy Ghosh – Director and writer
- Vidya Balan – Actress
Their collective expertise ensures that the awards maintain credibility within the film community.
Major Nomination Categories at Chetak Screen Awards 2026
The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 will honor excellence across numerous categories.
These include acting, directing, music, writing, and technical achievements.
Below are some of the key nomination categories and nominees.
Best Actor (Male)
Nominees include:
- Vicky Kaushal – Chhaava
- Siddhant Chaturvedi – Dhadak 2
- Ranveer Singh – Dhurandhar
- Vishal Jethwa – Homebound
- Ishaan Khatter – Homebound
- Manoj Bajpayee – Jugnuma: The Fable
- Adarsh Gourav – Superboys of Malegaon
Best Actress (Female)
Nominees include:
- Triptii Dimri – Dhadak 2
- Yami Gautam Dhar – Haq
- Sonal Madhushankar – Humans in the Loop
- Konkona Sen Sharma – Metro…In Dino
- Monica Panwar – Nishanchi
- Radhika Apte – Sister Midnight
- Kriti Sanon – Tere Ishq Mein
Best Actor – OTT Film
Nominees:
- Manoj Bajpayee – Inspector Jende
- Abhishek Bachchan – Kalidhar Lapata
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui – Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders
- Abhishek Banerjee – Stolen
- Shubham Vardhan – Stolen
Best Actress – OTT Film
Nominees:
- Fatima Sana Shaikh – Aap Jaisa Koi
- Sanya Malhotra – Mrs
- Radhika Apte – Saali Mohabbat
- Saba Azad – Songs of Paradise
- Mia Melzer – Stolen
- Farida Jalal – The Great Shamsuddin Family
- Shreya Chaudhry – The Mehta Boys
Best Supporting Actor (Male)
Nominees include:
- Akshaye Khanna – Dhurandhar
- Rakesh Bedi – Dhurandhar
- Naseeruddin Shah – Gustakh Ishq
- Saurabh Shukla – Jolly LLB 3
- Deepak Dobriyal – Jugnuma: The Fable
Best Supporting Actress (Female)
Nominees:
- Divya Dutta – Chhaava
- Sheeba Chaddha – Haq
- Shalini Vatsa – Homebound
- Dolly Ahluwalia – Sitaare Zameen Par
- Manjiri Pupala – Superboys of Malegaon
Best Director
Nominees include:
- Laxman Utekar – Chhaava
- Aditya Dhar – Dhurandhar
- Suparn S Verma – Haq
- Neeraj Ghaywan – Homebound
- Ram Reddy – Jugnuma: The Fable
- Mohit Suri – Saiyaara
- Reema Kagti – Superboys of Malegaon
Best Film
Nominees for the top honor include:
- Dhadak 2
- Dhurandhar
- Haq
- Homebound
- Saiyaara
- Sitaare Zameen Par
- Superboys of Malegaon
- Chhaava
Celebrating Technical Excellence
Beyond acting and directing, the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 also recognizes technical brilliance.
Categories include:
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Production Design
- Best Sound Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Background Score
- Best Choreography
These categories highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Breakthrough Talent Awards
The awards also shine a spotlight on emerging talent through categories such as:
Breakthrough Director
Nominees include:
- Shazia Iqbal – Dhadak 2
- Dibakar Das Roy – Delhi Dark
- Aranya Sahay – Humans in the Loop
- Karan Singh Tyagi – Kesari Chapter 2
- Karan Kandhari – Sister Midnight
Breakthrough Actor
Nominees include:
- Mohit Agarwal – Agra
- Aman Devgan – Azaad
- Samuel Abiola Robinson – Delhi Dark
- Aishwarya Thackeray – Nishanchi
- Ahaan Panday – Saiyaara
Why the Chetak Screen Awards Matter
The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 is more than just another award ceremony.
It represents a renewed effort to recognize cinema based on artistic excellence rather than popularity or commercial success alone.
By emphasizing transparency, credibility, and industry expertise, the awards aim to set a new benchmark for film recognition in India.
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Conclusion:
As the countdown begins, excitement continues to build for the Chetak Screen Awards 2026.
With a star-studded lineup, strong nominees, and a renewed focus on fairness and artistic merit, the event promises to be one of the most memorable celebrations of Indian cinema this year.
Whether you are a film enthusiast, a fan of Bollywood stars, or someone who appreciates great storytelling, the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 will be an event worth watching.
On April 5, the spotlight will shine on the artists, storytellers, and creators who shaped the year in Indian cinema — reminding audiences why the magic of movies continues to inspire millions around the world.