The 24th Zee Cine Awards took place in Mumbai, featuring fan-voted awards and significant wins for Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon.
The 24th Zee Cine Awards took place on March 15, 2026, at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome, celebrating the achievements of Hindi cinema over the past year.
This year’s theme, “FANtertainment,” highlighted the event’s focus on fan engagement, encapsulated by the catchphrase “Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka.” The awards shifted to a fan-voted model, which has sparked controversy within the industry.
Vicky Kaushal won the Best Actor (Male) award for his role in Chhaava, while Kriti Sanon took home the Best Actor (Female) award for her performance in Tere Ishk Mein. Akshay Kumar was recognized as Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Kesari Chapter 2.
In the supporting categories, Ananya Panday won Best Supporting Actress for Kesari Chapter 2, and Vineet Singh received the Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for Chhaava. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda were celebrated for their debut performances in Saiyaara.
The event also featured a tribute to the late actor Dharmendra, honoring his decades of contribution to Indian cinema. This retrospective was a poignant moment in the evening, reflecting on his legacy.
Aparshakti Khurana and Rajkummar Rao hosted the event, marking Khurana’s fourth consecutive year in this role. The hosts engaged the audience with humor and energy, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Despite the celebratory tone, the awards have caused a stir in the film industry and online, with critics arguing that the reliance on fan-voting has led to popularity-driven outcomes that may not align with the perceived artistic merit of individual performances during the 2026 film cycle.
This shift was intended to bridge the gap between stars and their supporters, yet it has simultaneously created a friction point with industry observers. The debate over the effectiveness of fan voting continues as the awards evolve.
As the night concluded, the winners and attendees reflected on a memorable evening that not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also engaged fans in a new way, setting the stage for future awards.
