Awards
Four Emmys on CNN’s platter
MUMBAI:CNN bagged four awards at The 23rd Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards, hosted by the the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences earlier this week.
The channel won the Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft Direction for Exodus and Best Story in a Regular Scheduled Newscast in 2001 for Struggle for Islam. Saira Shah won two awards, the first for Outstanding Investigative Journalism Long Form for Beneath the Veil and the other for ‘Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story Long Form for Unholy War.
The award winning Exodus by Sorious Samura investigates the attempts made by thousands of Africans to enter Europe illegally each year in search of a better life. In the documentary Samura travels to Mali, the Sahara Desert, Morocco and Spain as he follows West African exiles attempting to make their way to the “promised land” of Europe. He talks to refugees along the length of the route and reports on the hardships that compel them to embark on this perilous journey, fleeing from their native lands.
Struggle for Islam by Christiane Amanpour examines the many faces of Islam, through interviews with eminent scholars and practicing Muslims across the globe. It endeavours to find out how a religion that was at the heart of a flowering civilization, passing new ideas about medicine and architecture to the West during the Dark Ages, evolved in the modern era.
Beneath the Veil which won Saira Shah the award for ‘Outstanding Investigative Journalism Long Form’, traces her journey to her ancestral home in Afghanistan, and takes a look at life under the iron rule of the Taliban. Using secret footage, hidden cameras and with unprecedented access, Shah shows viewers the ruins of Kabul, public executions and the forbidden underground network of women struggling to survive. From the frontlines to the forbidden classrooms, the execution grounds to the ruined gardens of Shahs fathers homeland, this film takes a searing and disturbing look into the Afghanistan of Taliban rule.
Unholy War, which bagged the second award for Saira Shah is based on her return to the village of Mawmaii in Afghanistan to follow up on the story of three girls whose mother was shot dead by the Taliban in front of them. On her journey to find the girls, who were first seen in Beneath the Veil, she unravels the story of a long-suffering nation that has all but forgotten what peace is and meets the child soldiers, victims, smugglers, tribal leaders, fighters and ordinary Afghans caught up in the war against terrorism.
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.
