Awards
‘Jassi’ dazzles at FPGI’s Apsara awards
MUMBAI: The Apsara awards organised by the Film Producers Guild Awards were termed as an honour to the television and film fraternity by its own peers. Held at Grand Hyatt on 29 May, the first ever film and television awards by FPGI boasted of glamour and glitz, unfortunately none from the telly industry.
Although Star Plus might still be the number one channel, it was the number two channel- Sony Entertainment Television that stole the thunder.
The television awards, which were flagged off first, had Sony basking in glory as it bagged as many as five awards (see the winners’ List) for its top show Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin produced by Tony and Deeya Singh.But it was hardly surprising that the night belonged to Sony Entertainment Television as there was not a single nomination for the most watched shows on Star Plus Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kahiin To Hoga . Surprisingly, TRPs Star Plus’ top shows are nearly three times what Sony registers with its most watched show Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.
SET India executive vice president and business head Sunil Lulla walked up the stage to receive the award for the best marketing. Grinning from ear to ear he offered on his acceptance speech, “I am glad that our team work has paid off. We all are happy and excited. Our efforts made a distinctive difference and we are proud of it.”
Mona ‘Jassi’ Singh could hardly conceal her excitement when she was asked to say a few words. She was almost out of breath.
SAB TV and Eagle Video Films’ Office Office romped home with three awards, NDTV that had telecast the event live- won two awards: the best factual/non fiction programme award for the Big Story for Afghanistan TV and the best News anchoring by Barkha Dutt and Rajdeep Sardesai.
Sardesai’s acceptance speech drew loud cheers. In his speech, he requested the journalist to maintain integrity, “I am pained to see that there is no integrity amongst journalists,” he remarked.
However, the loudest cheers went up for Tony and Deeya Singh who walked up to receive the award for the best drama series, clearly showing that the couple enjoys high respect in the industry and outside it.
Balaji Telefilms was honoured as the best production house, which Jeetendra went up stage to receive. Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, who normally do attend award functions were conspicuous by their absence. Neither was Aroona Irani whose serial Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand on Star Plus bagged the award for the best title music.
A special award was declared for Subhash Chandra for ushering in the cable and satellite revolution on Indian television.
But surprisingly, very few actors from the TV industry attended the functions. Either they were too busy, or they were just not interested because there were only 13 categories in TV industry to be awarded. Had it not been from the film industry, the absence of glamour would have stood out like a sore thumb.
Award list:
BEST ACTRESS IN TELEVISION SERIES
Mona Singh – Jasmeet Walia (Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, DJ’s A Creative Unit)
BEST ACTRESS BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Mona Singh – Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin (DJ’s A Creative Unit)
BEST ANIMATED SERIES
Tenali Rama (Crest Communication Ltd)
BEST FACTUAL / NON-FICTION
Big Story – Afghanistan (NDTV)
BEST NEWS ANCHOR
Rajdeep Sardesai / Barkha Dutt (NDTV)
BEST DIRECTOR FOR TELEVISION SERIES
Rohit Khanna (Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin)
BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Pankaj Kapoor (Office Office, Eagle Video Films)
BEST DRAMA SERIES
Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin (DJ’s A Creative Unit)
BEST COMEDY SERIES
Office Office (Eagle Video Films)
BEST TITLE SONG
Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand (AK Films Pvt Ltd)
BEST MUSICAL SHOW
Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (Zee Telefilms Ltd)
Film awards:
BEST SCREENPLAY
Vidhu Vinod Chopra/Rajkumar Hirani /Lajan Joseph (Munnabhai MBBS)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Anil Mehta (Kal Ho Na Ho)
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Muneesh Sappel (Pinjar)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jaya Bachchan (Kal Ho Na Ho)
BEST LYRICS
Javed Akhtar – Kal Ho Na Ho (Kal Ho Na Ho)
BEST ART DESIGN
Muneesh Sappel – (Pinjar)
BEST MUSIC
Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy – (Kal Ho Na Ho)
BEST FEMALE PLAYBACK SINGER
Alka Yagnik – Oodhni (Tere Naam)
BEST MALE PLAYBACK SINGER
Sonu Nigan – Kal Ho Na Ho (Kal Ho Na Ho)
BEST EDITING
Rajkumar Hirani (Munnabhai MBBS)
BEST SOUND RECORDING
Dwarak Warrier (Bhoot)
BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Bimmini Special FX Digital Art Media (Koi… Mil Gaya)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Pankaj Kapoor (Maqbool)
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Hrithik Roshan (Koi Mil Gaya)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Urmila Matondkar (Bhoot)
BEST DIRECTOR
Rakesh Roshan (Koi Mil Gaya)
BEST FILM
Filmkraft Productions (I) Pvt Ltd (Koi Mil Gaya)
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.
