Chetak Screen Awards 2026: Highlights

The Chetak Screen Awards 2026, honoring the best talents in Bollywood and OTT, began with a dazzling dance performance on the iconic song “Parde Mein Rehne Do.” Adding to the excitement, host Alia Bhatt made a stylish entry on stage during the act, officially kicking off the grand event. (Express Photo Team)

Host Alia Bhatt was joined by Sunil Grover, who came in his viral Aamir Khan avatar. (Express Photo Team)

Host Alia Bhatt rocked a Gaurav Gupta pantsuit. (Express Photo Team)

As the ceremony progressed, comedian Zakir Khan took to the stage to share the hosting duties with Saurabh Dwivedi. (Express Photo Team)

At the Chetak Screen Awards 2026, Arshad Warsi reminisced about his iconic roles and cinematic journey, sharing nostalgic stories on the red carpet. Daughter Zene Zoe Warsi accompanied the actor. (Express Photo Team)

Rajpal Yadav also attended the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

Sonali Bendre and Rasika Dugal graced the star-studded Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

Manoj Bajpayee, Javed Akhtar and Raj Babbar clicked enjoying the proceedings at Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

Music composer Anu Malik captured in a candid moment with actor Bobby Deol. (Express Photo Team)

The viral track “Na To Karvaan Ki Talaash Hai” (also known as “Ishq Jalakar – Karvaan”) from Dhurandhar gained further attention at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. Singer Shahzad Ali, along with Subhadeep Das Chowdhury, delivered a live performance of the popular number, which is a modern recreation of the classic qawwali from the 1960 film Barsaat Ki Raat. Actor Sidharth Chaturvedi also joined the act, adding to the energy of the performance. (Express Photo Team)

Comedian Sunil Grover had the audience in splits as he returned to the stage in a completely different avatar — as “Javed Atakhtar,” a playful take on legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar. The fun escalated when director-choreographer Farah Khan joined him on stage. (Express Photo Team)

The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 also paid tribute to film legends we lost in 2025. In a special video segment, images of these icons were displayed on screen as the entire audience rose in their honour. Those remembered included Achyut Potdar, Asrani, Dharmendra, Chandra Barot, Dheeraj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, and Manoj Kumar. (Express Photo Team)

Veteran actor Dharmendra, widely known as the original “He-Man” of Indian cinema, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. The moment turned especially poignant when a heartfelt poem—voiced in a video by Amitabh Bachchan—added a deeply moving touch to the occasion. His son, actor Bobby Deol, who was present at the ceremony, was visibly emotional. (Express Photo Team)

Javed Akhtar was on the stage to give the Lifetime Achievement Award for Dharmendra to his son and actor Bobby Deol. Recalling his first meeting with Dharmendra, Akhtar shared a personal memory that reflected the actor’s warmth. "I met him when I was 20 years old in 1965. I was earning Rs 175 and was working as an assistant director. Somebody introduced me to him, and I have no idea why he shook my hand with so much warmth. As an AD, I have clapped on so many shots of Dharam ji. I have written films for him. He called me and said, ‘I am launching my son and I need you to write the script.’ That was Betaab, Sunny Deol’s debut film," he said. (Express Photo Team)

An emotional Bobby Deol addressed the audience while accepting the honour, and shared, “I see my father’s love in all your eyes. My father touched everyone’s hearts through his work and even through his Instagram reels, which had become his new hobby.” He said Dharmendra always believed in spreading happiness and gratitude, adding, “He always wanted people to stay happy and believed that God has given all of us so much in life. He used to say that we all have a special gift within us, and if we believe in it, we can achieve anything.” (Express Photo Team)

Alia Bhatt was also seen emotional after Dharmendra was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

At the Chetak Screen Awards 2026, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, won Best Film. Speaking on stage, actor Vishal Jethwa candidly admitted, “I had actually prepared this speech for the Best Actor category, but I didn’t get that opportunity.” He further added, “And anyway, seeing Vicky Kaushal, seeing Siddharth, seeing Adarsh, with all these people around, I honestly didn’t think I stood a chance. But regardless, I still got the opportunity to come up on stage.” (Express Photo Team)

Actor Vishal Jethwa called it “truly a special moment,” adding, “It takes many, many years to reach this point. I have been working in this industry for 16 to 17 years now. It is only after such a long journey that I have reached a stage where I am able to stand here, even in the presence of such legendary figures.” He also shared a heartfelt poem reflecting his journey from struggle to success, making the moment even more emotional and memorable. (Express Photo Team)

Sitaare Zameen Par received heartfelt standing ovations at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

At the 2026 Screen Awards, Sunil Grover mimicked veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar. He jokingly introduced himself as "Javed Athatar" (playing on the number 78 in Hindi), which left the audience, including Javed Akhtar and veteran actor Raj Babbar, in fits of laughter. (Express Photo Team)

Saurabh Dwivedi and Manoj Bajpayee in conversation at Chetak Screen Awards. (Express Photo Team)

Subhash Ghai, Vicky Kaushal and Manoj Bajpayee descended at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

Vicky Kaushal and Anupam Kher shared a hug at the awards show. (Express Photo Team)

Nita Ambani, Chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, interacted with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Chetak Screen Awards 2026. (Express Photo Team)

The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 wrapped up in grand style, with Dhurandhar emerging as the biggest winner by securing 14 awards. Meanwhile, Homebound was honored with the Best Film trophy, while the Best Actor titles went to Yami Gautam and Ranveer Singh. (Express Photo Team)