Awards
Zee Cine Awards 2026 set for fan-first celebration in Mumbai
Akshay Kumar and stars launch awards at NSCI Dome on Feb 28
MUMBAI: The Zee Cine Awards are returning to Mumbai with a fresh promise to put fans at the centre of the spectacle. Announcing its 24th edition, the broadcaster unveiled a fan-first theme, “Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka”, as part of its wider “Fantertainment” philosophy, turning the spotlight on the audiences who keep Hindi cinema alive.
The awards, presented by Maruti Suzuki, will take place at the NSCI Dome on February 28 and March 1. The announcement was made at a lively press conference that felt more like a mini awards night, complete with games, dance steps, and spontaneous fan interactions.
Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, Mithoon and Palak Muchhal joined the launch, bringing both star power and easy charm. Kumar set the tone by inviting the rest of the celebrities on stage and revealing the event dates, while others recreated popular hook steps and joined fans in playful on-stage moments.
For Zee, the awards are more than a red-carpet ritual. The company positioned the show as a long-running platform that celebrates both industry excellence and the emotional bond between films and their audiences. This year’s theme extends that idea, framing the event as a shared celebration shaped by fan enthusiasm rather than just star presence.
Zeel head of advertisement revenue, broadcast and digital, Laxmi Shetty said the awards continue to draw strength from the network’s multi-platform reach across television, digital and social media, adding, “Its continued relevance is powered by ZEE’s robust omni-channel ecosystem, which mirrors today’s evolving content consumption and enables seamless viewer engagement.”
Zeel chief cluster officer for Hindi and Marathi movies, Ruchir Tiwari said the 2026 edition aims to raise the bar, noting, “Audiences can expect a celebration that brings together cinema in its most spectacular form, through performances, moments, and storytelling that feel fresh and ambitious.”
Zee and Zee5 chief marketing officer, Kartik Mahadev described the theme as a tribute to fandom, saying, “We are celebrating how cinema truly lives, through moments that fans carry forward, reference, remix and relive.”
Maruti Suzuki India Limited senior executive officer for marketing and sales, Partho Banerjee said the partnership reflects the company’s connection with Indian consumers, adding, “Zee Cine Awards is a platform that reflects the voice and passion of audiences who make this celebration meaningful.”
Hell Energy Pvt Ltd director, Unnikannan Gangadharan said the brand was marking its 20th anniversary globally, adding, “India remains a key focus market for us, and we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of a zero-sugar variant.”
For the stars, the event remains a familiar and festive fixture on the industry calendar. Kumar, who debuted in films around the same time Zee TV launched, called the awards “a prestigious platform” he has enjoyed performing at over the years, while others described it as a reunion-like celebration that brings together films, artists and the fans who make it all worthwhile.
Tickets will be available through District by Zomato, while the televised ceremony will air later on Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee5, giving audiences across the country a chance to relive the night’s highlights.
Awards
Ajay Kakar to chair jury for ad:tech Honours Awards 2026
Industry leaders join jury as nominations surge for marketing tech awards
NEW DELHI: The ad:tech Honours Awards 2026 are gearing up for a bigger second edition, with Ajay Kakar, head of corporate branding at Adani Group, set to chair the jury for India’s technology-focused marketing awards.
Organised in partnership with the International Advertising Association India Chapter, the awards celebrate the growing influence of technology in shaping modern advertising and marketing outcomes. This year’s edition has drawn a strong response from across the industry, signalling rising momentum around innovation in marketing technology.
The organisers say the nominations reflect a wide range of ideas and approaches, highlighting how brands and agencies are increasingly leaning on platforms, tools and data to sharpen their campaigns and connect with audiences more effectively.
Leading the evaluation process, Kakar will head a jury made up of senior leaders from across brands, agencies and technology platforms.
The jury panel includes Amaresh Godbole, CEO, digital technology business at Publicis Groupe; Bishwajeet S, head of marketing and PR at Volkswagen India; Carol Goyal, executive director at Rediffusion and CEO of Aesthetic Intelligence Lab; Kushal Sanghvi, director at Komerz; Lara Balsara, executive director at Madison World; Rana Barua, group CEO India, sea and North Asia; Deepak Oram, senior vice president growth marketing and martech; and Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi, head of marketing and creative solutions at Amazon Ads India.
The ad:tech Honours Awards aim to recognise not just creative campaigns but the smart use of technology that delivers measurable impact and business results. Categories this year reflect the rapidly evolving digital landscape, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing, content ecosystems, automation, martech and adtech integration, and commerce-led marketing.
The winners will be announced on 17 March 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi during ad:tech New Delhi 2026. The event is expected to bring together leaders from brands, agencies, platforms, creators and technology partners for an evening celebrating the ideas and innovations shaping the future of marketing.iconductor industries.
