The Chetak Screen Awards 2026, held with great fanfare, featured prominent personalities such as Alia Bhatt, Farah Khan, Sunil Grover, Zakir Khan, and Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor of The Indian Express – Hindi, as hosts. The event attracted a star-studded crowd, including Vicky Kaushal, Karan Johar, Bobby Deol, and many other industry figures. Notably, Rajpal Yadav, who recently faced a brief period in Tihar Jail due to a cheque bounce issue, was also in attendance.
During the evening, the discussion shifted towards the ongoing oil crisis and its repercussions on daily life in India. Rajpal Yadav remarked, “So much is happening in the world with so many wars going on. How can I interpret the fluctuations in the rupee-dollar exchange? I find it hard to comprehend what is unfolding.”
Saurabh Dwivedi humorously replied, “Rajpal bhai, no matter how high or low the dollar-rupee rate goes, you will still need to repay the exact amount you owe.” This comment elicited laughter among the attendees, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Rajpal joined in the laughter, responding, “Just hear my situation once.”
Zakir Khan then interjected, suggesting, “I think we should refrain from discussing this further as the matter is currently sub judice.”
In a prior development, Rajpal Yadav had surrendered on February 5 to serve a six-month sentence related to a cheque bounce case linked to a loan obtained for his directorial debut film, Ata Pata Laapata, in 2010. The outstanding amount had reportedly ballooned to nearly Rs 9 crore due to accumulating interest and penalties. Before his surrender, Rajpal had expressed his financial struggles and the lack of options available to him. Subsequently, he was granted interim bail in the matter.
The Chetak Screen Awards, established by The Indian Express Group, emphasize recognizing artistic achievements based solely on merit, integrity, and respect among peers. The nominees and award winners for the 2026 edition were determined through a structured voting process conducted by the Screen Academy, an independent not-for-profit organization comprised of 53 esteemed filmmakers, artists, and cultural figures, lending significant credibility to the awards.
Dr. Priya Jaikumar, who serves as the Chair of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and is a scholar-in-residence at Screen Academy, developed comprehensive grading criteria for the Academy’s members to adhere to during the voting process.
The Screen Academy includes notable members such as Rajkumar Hirani, Resul Pookutty, Rima Das, Vidya Balan, Shoojit Sircar, Deepa Mehta, Sriram Raghavan, Ram Madhvani, Guneet Monga Kapoor, John Abraham, Kabir Khan, Karan Johar, Mukesh Chhabra, Payal Kapadia, Prosenjit Chatterjee, RS Prasanna, and Rajiv Menon, among others.
Viewers can catch the Chetak Screen Awards 2026 live on YouTube, Sony Entertainment Television, and Sony LIV.
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