The Indian Express Group hosted the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 in Mumbai, marking the grand return of one of India’s most respected film honours after a seven-year hiatus. The ceremony celebrated the finest achievements in Indian cinema and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms for content released throughout 2025. This revival underscores a commitment to recognizing technical and artistic merit through a peer-led academy system.
Revival of the Screen Awards: A Legacy Reimagined
The Screen Awards were first instituted by the Indian Express Group in 1994 through their film magazine, Screen. Known for being India’s first annual awards based on the judgment of a professional jury rather than a popularity contest, the ceremony became a benchmark for cinematic excellence. The first edition took place in 1995, honouring films released in 1994. Over the years, the awards transitioned through various television partnerships, but the core focus remained on artistic and technical integrity.
After the 2019 ceremony, the awards entered a period of silence that lasted seven years. The 2026 edition marks a significant reboot under the title Chetak Screen Awards, named after its primary sponsor. A defining feature of this revival is the central role of the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body comprising over 50 acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. This shift ensures that winners are chosen through rigorous peer review and academic evaluation rather than sheer commercial success or public voting.
The awards have also evolved to reflect the changing media lifestyle of the Indian audience. For the first time, the ceremony provided significant weightage to Over-the-Top (OTT) content, recognizing that digital streaming platforms have become a primary medium for storytelling. This integration allows the awards to serve as a bridge between traditional theatrical cinema and the fast-growing digital entertainment sector.
Dhurandhar Dominates the 2026 Edition
The spy thriller Dhurandhar emerged as the most successful production of the evening, sweeping a record 14 awards from its 24 nominations. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film was widely praised for its high-octane action and intricate narrative structure. Aditya Dhar received the Best Director award for his vision, building on his previous success with films like Uri: The Surgical Strike.
The film’s performance in the acting categories was equally dominant. Ranveer Singh was named Best Actor (Male) for his portrayal of an undercover agent, a role that demanded both physical intensity and emotional depth. Veteran actor Akshaye Khanna won the Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for his nuanced performance in the film. The sweeping victory of Dhurandhar highlights the continued popularity of the espionage genre in Indian cinema and the audience’s growing appetite for sophisticated, large-scale action productions.
Celebrating Artistic Excellence: Homebound and Haq
While Dhurandhar captured the technical and popular imagination, the award for Best Film went to Homebound, a poignant drama directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. Known for his debut feature Masaan, Ghaywan has established a reputation for exploring complex social issues with sensitivity. Homebound focuses on the struggles of internal displacement and human resilience, earning critical acclaim for its grounded storytelling. The film also secured a win for Shalini Vatsa, who was named Best Supporting Actor (Female).
In the lead female category, Yami Gautam Dhar won the Best Actor (Female) award for her powerful performance in the film Haq. The role showcased her versatility in a high-stakes narrative focused on justice and individual rights. The recognition of both character-driven dramas like Homebound and commercially successful thrillers like Dhurandhar reflects the Screen Academy’s objective to honour a diverse range of stories that define contemporary Indian cinema.
Key Takeaways
- The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 were held in Mumbai on April 5, 2026, resuming after a seven-year gap.
- The awards are organized by the Indian Express Group, which originally launched the Screen Awards in 1994 following the legacy of Screen magazine, established in 1951.
- The Screen Academy, an independent non-profit body of industry professionals, oversaw the selection process for the 2026 edition.
- The spy thriller Dhurandhar was the evening’s biggest winner, securing 14 awards including Best Director for Aditya Dhar.
- Ranveer Singh and Yami Gautam Dhar won the Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) awards for Dhurandhar and Haq, respectively.
- Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, secured the Best Film award, reflecting the academy’s focus on artistic and social depth.
