The nominations for the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 are out, and Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar has emerged as the clear frontrunner with 24 nominations. The film leads this year’s race as the awards return with revamped judging criteria and a digital-first approach ahead of the ceremony on April 5 in Mumbai.
Top Contenders in the Awards Race
Following closely behind are Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara with 17 nominations and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound with 15. The three films have dominated the nominations, reflecting a balance between box-office-driven cinema and critically admired storytelling in Hindi film awards this year.
A Rebooted Awards Format
The Chetak Screen Awards have returned with a renewed format that places emphasis on a more rigorous evaluation process. The winners will be chosen by the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body comprising over 50 filmmakers, artists, and cultural voices. The event will honour the best works of 2025 and is also being positioned for wider global visibility through a digital-first partnership.
Key Nomination Highlights
Dhurandhar has secured nominations across several major categories, including Best Film, Best Director for Aditya Dhar, and Best Action. Ranveer Singh has been nominated in the Best Actor (Male) category for the film, while Akshaye Khanna and Rakesh Bedi have both received nominations in Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male). The film also features strongly in technical categories such as Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Dialogue, Best Film Writing, Best Production Design, and Best Sound Design.
What This Means for Awards Season
Dhurandhar’s commanding presence in the nominations underlines its status as one of the biggest Hindi films in the current awards cycle. At the same time, the strong performances of Saiyaara and Homebound suggest that the final results may not be entirely one-sided. With a diverse Best Film lineup and multiple major contenders in play, the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 are shaping up to be one of the more closely watched film events of the season.
— By Manoj H