Chetak Screen Awards reboot with Dhurandhar leading nominations | Bollywood News

With Indian cinema scaling heights and pushing boundaries, Chetak Screen Awards return on April 5 with a renewed approach and a star-studded evening to honour the best works of 2025.The nominations position Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar—a massive box-office success—as the frontrunner with 24 nods. It is followed Mohit Suri’s romantic musical saga, Saiyaara, with 17 nominations, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s moving tale of friendship, Homebound, with 15.Backed a powerful blend of editorial credibility, cultural legacy and digital reach, the awards across 31 categories, will spotlight those who have excelled and enriched contemporary Hindi cinema. Driven The Indian Express Group’s journalism-first ethos, the honours are anchored in integrity and merit. Winners will be chosen the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body comprising over 50 acclaimed filmmakers, arts and cultural voices. To ensure rigour and accuracy, Priya Jaikumar, Professor and Chair of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles, has developed a detailed rubric for Academy members to follow while scoring.

Chetak Screen Awards
The evaluation process witnessed over 95 per cent Academy participation across categories, with an average of 38-40 Academy members scoring each category, ensuring a highly robust and representative selection process. For most categories, 38-40 valid scores were considered after applying the trimmed mean (Olympic) scoring methodology ensuring fairness and neutrality.
Adopting a digital-first approach, The Indian Express Group is bringing back the prestigious Screen Awards in an intimate partnership with YouTube, offering open access to global audiences.
As the race for Chetak Screen Awards takes shape, with the announcement of the nominees, the nominees in the Best Film category mirror the richness and diversity of Indian cinema. After enjoying huge success and box-office collections, Dhurandhar is vying for Best Film trophy along with Laxman Ramchandra Utekar-directed Chhaava. While Saiyaara reaffirms the enduring appeal of romance and music, Shazia Iqbal’s much-discussed Dhadak 2 underscores a willingness to confront uncomfortable social realities such as caste. The acclaim for Suparn Varma’s Haq and Homebound highlights how real-life stories continue to resonate when told with sincerity. Even in a star-driven industry, films like Sitaare Zameen Par and Reema Kagti’s Superboys Of Malegaon prove that heartfelt storytelling still wins.
The Best Director Category has an interesting mix as Raam Reddy of Jugnuma: The Fable competes with fellow nominees Laxman Ramchandra Utekar (Chhaava), Adtiya Dhar (Dhurandhar), Suparn S Varma (Haq), Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound), Mohit Suri (Saiyaara) and Reema Kagti (Superboys Of Malegaon). The Breakthrough Debut Director segment celebrates the talented storytellers who have grabbed the audience’s attention with their craft. Those nominated for this award are Shazia Iqbal (Dhadak 2), Dibakar Das Roy (Dilli Dark), Aranya Sahay (Humans in the Loop), Karan Singh Tyagi (Kesari Chapter 2) and Karan Kandhari (Ser Midnight).Story continues below this ad
The awards also recognise filmmakers whose works passed theatrical release but found audiences on streaming platforms. The nominees for Best Director (OTT Film) are Aarti Kadav (Mrs), Honey Trehan (Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders), Karan Tejpal (Stolen), Anusha Rizvi (The Great Shamsuddin Family) and Boman Irani (The Mehta Boys).
Established in 1995, the Screen Awards’s stage has long been a platform where actors earn recognition for standout performances. In the Best Actor (Female) category, Triptii Dimri (Dhadak 2), Yami Gautam Dhar (Haq), Konkona Sen Sharma (Metro… In Dino) and Kriti Sanon (Tere Ishk Mein) have been nominated for their compelling performances. While Radhika Apte is nominated for her role in the quirky, dark comedy Ser Midnight, Sonal Madhushankar (Humans in the Loop) got a nod for her quiet but assured performance. Monika Panwar (Nishaanchi), who delivered a fiery turn, too has been picked the jury as a Best Actor (Female) nominee.
In the Best Actor (Male) category, the competition features some of India’s finest performers: Vicky Kaushal (Chhaava), Siddhant Chaturvedi (Dhadak 2), Ranveer Singh (Dhurandhar), Ishaan Khatter (Homebound), Manoj Bajpayee (Jugnuma: The Fable), Adarsh Gourav (Superboys Of Malegaon) and Vishal Jethwa (Homebound), showcasing the depth and range of acting talent in Indian cinema.
Come April 5, the spotlight will not just be on winners, but on a film industry in transition—one that continues to evolve, experiment and find new ways to tell its stories.Story continues below this ad
Check out the complete l of nominations for the Chetak Screen Awards:
Best Action
120 BahadurChhaavaDevaDhurandharJaat
Best Actor (Female)
Triptii Dimri – Dhadak 2Yami Gautam Dhar – HaqSonal Madhushankar – Humans in the LoopKonkona Sen Sharma – Metro… In DinoMonika Panwar – NishaanchiRadhika Apte – Ser MidnightKriti Sanon – Tere Ishk Mein
Best Actor (Female) – OTT Film
Fatima Sana Shaikh – Aap Jaisa KoiSanya Malhotra – MrsRadhika Apte – Saali MohabbatSaba Azad – Songs of ParadiseMia Maelzer – StolenThe Great Shamsuddin Family – Farida JalalShreya Chaudhry – The Mehta Boys
Best Actor (Male)
Vicky Kaushal – ChhaavaSiddhant Chaturvedi – Dhadak 2Ranveer Singh – DhurandharVishal Jethwa – HomeboundIshaan Khatter – HomeboundManoj Bajpayee – Jugnuma: The FableAdarsh Gourav – Superboys Of Malegaon
Best Actor (Male) – OTT filmStory continues below this ad
Manoj Bajpayee – Inspector ZendeAbhishek Bachchan – Kaalidhar LaapataNawazuddin Siddiqui – Raat Akeli Hai The Bansal MurdersAbhishek Banerjee – StolenShubham Vardhan – Stolen
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female)
Divya Dutta – ChhaavaSheeba Chadha – HaqShalini Vatsa – HomeboundDolly Ahluwalia – Sitaare Zameen ParManjiri Pupala – Superboys Of Malegaon
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male)
Akshaye Khanna – DhurandharRakesh Bedi – DhurandharNaseeruddin Shah – Gustaakh IshqSaurabh Shukla – Jolly LLB 3Deepak Dobriyal – Jugnuma: The Fable
Best Background Score
ChhaavaDhurandharHaqHomeboundSaiyaara
Best Choreography
Ui Amma – AzaadBhasad Macha – DevaShararat – DhurandharPanwadi Song – Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi KumariDilbar Ki Aankhon Ka – Thamma
Best CinematographyStory continues below this ad
DhurandharHomeboundHumans in the LoopJugnuma: The FableSuperboys of Malegaon
Best Costume
ChhaavaDhurandharGustaakh IshqHomeboundSuperboys of Malegaon
Best Dialogue
DhurandharHaqHomeboundJolly LLB 3Superboys of Malegaon
Best Director
Laxman Ramchandra Utekar – ChhaavaAditya Dhar – DhurandharSuparn S Varma – HaqNeeraj Ghaywan – HomeboundThe Fable Raam Reddy – JugnumaMohit Suri – SaiyaaraReema Kagti – Superboys Of Malegaon
Best Director – OTT film
Aarti Kadav – MrsHoney Trehan – Raat Akeli Hai – The Bansal MurdersKaran Tejpal – StolenAnusha Rizvi – The Great Shamsuddin FamilyBoman Irani – The Mehta Boys
Best Editing
DhurandharHaqHomeboundSaiyaaraSuperboys of Malegaon
Best Film
Dhadak 2DhurandharHaqHomeboundSaiyaaraSitaare Zameen ParSuperboys Of MalegaonChaava
Best Film for Gender SensitivityStory continues below this ad
Dhadak 2HaqHumans in the LoopMrsThe Great Shamsuddin Family
Best Film Writing (Story & Screenplay)
DhurandharHaqHomeboundHumans in the LoopSuperboys of Malegaon
Best Hairstyling & Make-Up
ChhaavaDhurandharEmergencyHomeboundSuperboys of Malegaon
Best Lyrics
Gehra Hua – DhurandharUl Julool Ishq – Gustaakh IshqYaar Mere – HomeboundSaiyaara Title Track – SaiyaaraBande – Superboys of Malegaon
Best OTT Film
MrsRaat Akeli Hai – The Bansal MurdersStolenThe Great Shamsuddin FamilyThe Mehta Boys
Best Playback Singer (Female)Story continues below this ad
Shararat – DhurandharQayde Se – Metro… In DinoSaiyaara Title Track – SaiyaaraBarbaad – SaiyaaraHumsafar – Saiyaara
Best Playback Singer (Male)
Dhurandhar Title Track – DhurandharGehra Hua – DhurandharSaiyaara Title Track – SaiyaaraDhun – SaiyaaraBarbaad – Saiyaara
Best Production Design
ChhaavaDhurandharGustaakh IshqHomeboundSuperboys of MalegaonHaqChapter 2
Best Script – OTT film
MrsRaat Akeli Hai – The Bansal MurdersSongs of ParadiseStolenThe Mehta Boys
Best SongStory continues below this ad
Dhurandhar Title Track –  DhurandharGehra Hua – DhurandharSaiyaara Title Track – SaiyaaraBarbaad – SaiyaaraHumsafar – Saiyaara
Best Sound Design
ChhaavaDhurandharHomeboundHumans in the LoopSaiyaara
Best Special Effects
120 BahadurChhaavaDhurandharJugnuma: The FableThamma
Breakthrough Debut Director
Shazia Iqbal – Dhadak 2Dibakar Das Roy – Dilli DarkAranya Sahay – Humans in the LoopKaran Singh Tyagi – Kesari Chapter 2Karan Kandhari – Ser Midnight
Breakthrough New Actor (Female)
Rasha Thadani – AzaadSara Arjun – DhurandharRidhima Singh – Humans in the LoopAneet Padda – SaiyaaraShubhangi Dutt – Tanvi the Great
Breakthrough New Actor (Male)
Mohit Agarwal – AgraAaman Devgan – AzaadSamuel Abiola Robinson – Dilli DarkBreakthrough New Actor (Male) Aaishvary Thackeray – NishaanchiAhaan Panday – Saiyaara