Chetak Screen Awards 2026: OTT films bring big stories, bigger performances
Chetak Screen Awards: From intimate family dramas to taut thrillers, this year’s nominations show streaming cinema’s range and staying power despite industry caution.
After the wide acclaim and surge in viewership that Indian streaming originals enjoyed a few years ago, the OTT landscape has been undergoing some changes, with “risk aversion” cited as a major reason behind the shift. Yet, if the films released directly on streaming platforms last year are any indication, there was considerable variety for audiences to choose from.
That range is reflected in the Best OTT Film nominations at the Chetak Screen Awards this year, where intimate family dramas are in the race for the trophy alongside thrillers and social dramas. Powered by compelling storyline, performance and cinematic treatment, Mrs., Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, Stolen, The Great Shamsuddin Family and The Mehta Boys have secured nominations in this category.
Mrs. (streaming on Zee5) is a searing look at the patriarchal expectations in a traditional marriage. Honey Trehan-directed Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders (Netflix) is a crime drama that returns to the world of small-town crime to explore class conflicts and the abuse of power. Karan Tejpal’s thriller Stolen (Amazon Prime Video) follows the ordeals of two urbane brothers, played by Abhishek Banerjee and Shubham Vardhan, who are accidentally pulled into a child kidnapping case. Both Anusha Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family (JioHotstar) and Boman Irani’s directorial debut, The Mehta Boys (Amazon Prime Video), are family dramas that reflect contemporary realities.
Mrs. has secured three more nominations — Best Actor (Female) – OTT Film for Sanya Malhotra, Best Director – OTT film for Arati Kadav and Best Script – OTT — apart from the Best Film nod. Competing with Malhotra for the Best Actor (Female) – OTT Film trophy are Fatima Sana Shaikh (Aap Jaisa Koi), Radhika Apte (Saali Mohabbat), Saba Azad (Songs of Paradise), Mia Maelzer (Stolen), Farida Jalal (The Great Shamsuddin Family) and Shreya Chaudhry (The Mehta Boys). While Azad added nuance to her performance as a Kashmiri radio singer; Jalal, with her stellar performance, has proven that age has not dimmed her spark.
In the Best Actor (Male) – OTT category, Manoj Bajpayee (Inspector Zende), Abhishek Bachchan (Kaalidhar Laapata), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders), Banerjee (Stolen) and Vardhan (Stolen) have been nominated. Their performances establish, irrespective of the platform where their movies are shown, a well-written and enacted character creates impact. Bachchan infused the character of Kaalidhar with vulnerability and sweetness while Siddiqui revisited the complexities of Jatil Yadav in the second instalment of Raat Akeli Hai. Banerjee and Vardhan, who did theatre together in Delhi, brought an authenticity and edge to Stolen.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
