‘Dhurandhar’ Dominates Chetak Screen Awards 2026 with 24 Nominations; ‘Saiyaara’ & ‘Homebound’ in Strong Contention
Entertainment desk.
ananya
Ananya soch: The much-awaited Chetak Screen Awards 2026 nominations are finally out, and Dhurandhar has emerged as the clear frontrunner with an impressive 24 nominations. Organized by The Indian Express Group’s Screen Academy, the awards ceremony is set to take place on April 5, celebrating the finest Hindi films and OTT content of 2025.
Top Contenders: A Battle of Content & Craft
While Dhurandhar leads the race, Saiyaara has secured 17 nominations and Homebound follows closely with 15. The nominations reflect a strong blend of theatrical and OTT storytelling, highlighting the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.
Key Nominations at a Glance
| Category | प्रमुख नामांकन |
|---|---|
| Best Film | Dhadak 2, Dhurandhar, Haq, Homebound, Saiyaara, Sitare Zameen Par, Chhava |
| Best Director | Aditya Dhar, Mohit Suri, Neeraj Ghaywan |
| Best Supporting Actor | Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, Naseeruddin Shah |
| Background Score | Chhava, Dhurandhar, Haq, Homebound, Saiyaara |
| Cinematography | Dhurandhar, Homebound, Jugnuma, Superboys of Malegaon |
Technical Categories See Fierce Competition
The technical segments are equally competitive. From choreography hits like ‘Ui Amma’ (Azaad) and ‘Bhasad Macha’ (Deva) to editing and costume design, films like Dhurandhar, Homebound, and Saiyaara dominate multiple categories. Dialogue nominations include Dhurandhar, Haq, and Jolly LLB 3, showcasing strong writing across genres.
Best Supporting Actor Line-Up
The supporting actor category is packed with stellar performances featuring Akshaye Khanna (Dhurandhar), Rakesh Bedi (Dhurandhar), Naseeruddin Shah (Gustakh Ishq), Saurabh Shukla (Jolly LLB 3), and Deepak Dobriyal (Jugnuma: The Fable).
Transparent & Credible Selection Process
Since its inception in 1995, the Screen Academy has been known for its credibility. This year, over 95% of members participated in voting. The “trimmed mean” Olympic-style evaluation ensured fairness, with 38–40 experts assessing each category.
A special scoring rubric designed by Professor Priya Jaikumar from the University of Southern California further strengthened the evaluation process.
Global Streaming for the First Time
In a major shift, the awards will be streamed live globally for the first time in two decades. Viewers can watch it free on YouTube, along with broadcasts on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV.
Changing Face of Indian Cinema
The nominations underline a significant shift—content-driven storytelling, strong performances, and technical finesse are now at the heart of success, whether on the big screen or OTT platforms.
