Awards
Asian Television Awards 2002 nominations open
MUMBAI: The list of 119 nominations for seventh annual regional Asian Television Awards have been released.
More than 115 programmes and performances from 12 countries have been nominated for the awards. 1,300 entries including a record number of entries from Japan and China were received from 14 countries, states an official release. The participation this year is nine per cent higher than last year, it adds. The award function to be held in Singapore on 4 December 2002, will be aired live on leading television channels in 11 countries across the region.
The Indian nominations for the awards include four programmes by NDTV; Star News Hour for best news programme, Reality Bites: Mental Health in Kashmir and Witness for best current affairs programme and Sports Tonight for best sports programme . In addition, Lion of Gir by Miditech Ltd has been nominated for best natural history or wildlife programme and HardTalk Pakistan by Infotainment Television Pvt Limited for BBC World for the best talk show award. Popular game shows like Bournvita Quiz Contest on Zee TV, Khelo Number Khelo again on Zee TV and Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus have been nominated for best game or quiz show. Also, Sonu Nigam has been nominated for best light entertainment presenter/ performer award.
“The number of entries for the Asian Television Awards has more than tripled in the past five years. The increased interest is a definite sign that Asian producers are more confident of the quality of their product and are more willing to pitch their creations against fellow producers in Asia,” Asian Television Awards, chairman of judges, Jonathan Hallett is quoted as saying in the release.
The 29 Awards cover a wide range of genres, including drama series, comedy, tele- movie, current affairs, youth and sports. Two new categories ‘Best Talk Show’ and ‘Best Original Song’ have been added this year, to cater to the growing diversity of locally produced genres in the region, says the release. Interestingly, 61 entries have been received for the new categories.
Highlighting the trends observed this year, the release states that there was not only an increase in the number of interactive programmes entered but a marked rise in the number of documentaries put forward by broadcasters and production houses from across the region as well. Music and variety shows were also more lavish than in previous years, with many more high-budget contenders, it adds.
“Interestingly the range of topics addressed in many categories was also more controversial than in previous years, including issues such as homosexuality, mental illness, child abuse, domestic violence, and dealing with poverty in old age. This indicates a significant increase in Asian stations willingness to address and deal with sensitive topics in a variety of ways,” says Hallett .
This year’s entries were assessed by almost 50 judges from 11 countries sitting on seven juries held across the region.
Awards
Fan Fare as Zee Cine Awards Hands Power to Viewers
Voting opens as 24th edition gears up for grand Mumbai spectacle.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… you decide. The red carpet is being rolled out, but this time, the spotlight swings firmly towards the people in the seats.
The Zee Cine Awards, long regarded as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated honours, return for their 24th edition with a promise to be bigger, louder and far more fan driven. Maruti Suzuki presents the 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026, set to unfold on 28 February and 1 March at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai.
Over the years, the awards have evolved from a glittering ceremony into a full blown cultural moment, blending star power with scale and audience connection. This year, that connection takes centre stage under the theme ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, positioning audiences not just as spectators, but as decision makers.
Viewers’ Choice voting went live on 11 February 2026, handing fans the power to crown their favourites across multiple categories. From Best Film to Song of the Year, every vote now shapes the outcome.
In the Viewer’s Choice Best Film category, the nominees include Dhurandhar, Chhaava, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Jolly LLB 3 and Jaat.
For Viewer’s Choice Best Actor Male, the race features Ranveer Singh for Dhurandhar, Vicky Kaushal for Chhaava, Akshay Kumar for Kesari Chapter 2, Sunny Deol for Jaat, Akshay Kumar again for Jolly LLB 3 and Dhanush for Tere Ishk Mein.
In the Viewer’s Choice Best Actor Female category, Kriti Sanon for Tere Ishk Mein, Yami Gautam for Haq, Kangana Ranaut for Emergency, Tripti Dimri for Dhadak 2, Aneet Padda for Saiyaara and Sonam Bajwa for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat are in contention.
Hell Energy Drink Viewer’s Choice Song of the Year includes the Saiyaara Title Song from Saiyaara, Laal Pari from Housefull 5, the Dhurandhar Title Track, Uyi Amma from Azaad, Deewaniyat from Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat and Aavan Jaavan from War 2.
Voting is open across platforms including the ZEE5 app, the official website or on WhatsApp by sending ‘Hi’ to 7700978488, and through comments on official social media posts across Instagram, Facebook and X.
With Maruti Suzuki as presenter and partners including Hell Energy Drink, Rajdhani Dal, L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Gloss, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Balaji Wafers, the event promises high wattage performances and headline grabbing moments. Tickets are available on District by Zomato, while the televised spectacle will air later on Zee TV, Zee Cinema and ZEE5.
As Bollywood’s biggest night approaches, the message is clear. This is no longer just an awards show. It is a reminder that behind every blockbuster, viral song and star turn stands a crowd that cheered first. And this year, that crowd gets the final word.
