The Screen Awards 2026 took place in Mumbai, showcasing a night filled with accolades and surprises. Aditya Dhar’s film “Dhurandhar” dominated the event, securing a total of 14 awards, including Best Actor for Ranveer Singh. Notably, both Singh and Dhar were absent from the ceremony, leading to comments from fellow filmmaker Rahul Dholakia regarding the lack of attendance.
Dholakia expressed his disappointment on X, formerly known as Twitter, addressing the low turnout from nominees and winners. He pointed out that many were aware of their victories ahead of time but chose not to attend. His remarks highlighted a perceived disconnect between the awards and the filmmakers’ engagement with such events.
Reiterating his feelings, Dholakia wrote, “Extremely disappointed (Not surprised) that most people who were nominated for, and also won the awards, did not show up to accept.” He emphasized that the awards aimed to innovate, noting the lack of support from the industry despite widespread awareness of the event.
Among the winners, Yami Gautam received the Best Actress award for her role in “Haq,” yet she too was absent from the festivities. While Dholakia did not name anyone directly, many on social media speculated that his comments were directed towards Dhar and Singh, prompting mixed reactions.
Some users defended the “Dhurandhar” team, suggesting that other prominent figures in Bollywood have similarly opted out of award ceremonies in the past. Comments ranged from frustration with how award shows traditionally operate to commendation for “Dhurandhar’s” success at the box office.
The awards ceremony honored various individuals and projects beyond just “Dhurandhar.” Aditya Dhar was recognized as Best Director, while Ranveer Singh’s performance as an Indian spy in the film garnered him accolades. Additionally, Akshaye Khanna received the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a gangster.
“Dhurandhar” also excelled in technical categories, with Shashwat Sachdev winning for Best Background Score and Vikash Nowlakha for Best Cinematography. The film’s song “Shararat” earned Vijay Ganguly the Best Choreography trophy, showcasing the film’s multifaceted accomplishments.
Interestingly, despite “Dhurandhar” sweeping several accolades, Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” was awarded Best Film of the night. This decision added another layer to the discussions surrounding the event, as industry observers continued to debate the significance and influence of award ceremonies in reflecting excellence in filmmaking.