The Film Critics Guild and WPP Motion Entertainment have announced the nominations for the 8th Critics’ Choice Awards 2026, recognising excellence across feature films, web series, short films and documentaries in Indian cinema and streaming content.

This year’s nominations highlight the growing diversity and experimentation in Indian storytelling, with projects from multiple languages, genres and platforms receiving recognition.

Among the standout titles, the web series Black Warrant emerged as one of the most nominated shows, while filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound secured the highest number of nominations in the feature film category.

The nominations also brought attention to acclaimed actors and filmmakers, including Akshaye Khanna, who received a nomination for his performance in the upcoming film Dhurandhar.

Homebound Leads Feature Film Nominations

In the feature film category, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, emerged as the biggest contender this year with six nominations.

The film has been recognised in several key categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Writing and Best Editing, reflecting strong critical appreciation.

Following closely behind are Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) and Jugnuma (The Fable), both of which received three nominations each.

Several other films also secured multiple nominations, including:

• The Great Shamsuddin Family

• Bison Kaalamaadan

• Boong, a BAFTA-winning Manipuri film

These nominations highlight the diversity of regional cinema and storytelling styles represented in the awards this year.

Akshaye Khanna Earns Supporting Actor Nomination

Veteran actor Akshaye Khanna received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in the upcoming film Dhurandhar.

The nomination places him alongside a strong lineup of performers including:

• Pasupathy for Bison Kaalamaadan

• Dhritiman Chatterjee for Putulnacher Itikatha (The Puppet's Tale)

• Dileesh Pothan for Ronth

• Boman Irani for The Mehta Boys

Khanna’s recognition highlights his continued presence as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema, known for delivering nuanced performances across genres.

Black Warrant Dominates Web Series Nominations

In the web series category, the show Black Warrant led the nominations with multiple nods across major categories.

The series received nominations for:

• Best Web Series

• Best Director

• Best Actor for Zahan Kapoor

• Best Supporting Actor for Anurag Thakur, Paramvir Singh Cheema and Rahul Bhat

• Best Writing

This strong showing reflects the series’ critical acclaim and popularity among viewers and critics alike.

Other notable web series nominated include:

• Paatal Lok Season 2

• Perfect Family

• Black, White & Gray – Love Kills

• The Ba*ds of Bollywood**

These nominations showcase the growing impact of streaming platforms on Indian entertainment.

Top Acting Nominations in Web Series Category

The Best Actor category in web series features a competitive lineup including:

• Zahan Kapoor for Black Warrant

• Roshan Mathew for Kankhajura

• Jaideep Ahlawat for Paatal Lok Season 2

• Manoj Bajpayee for The Family Man Season 3

• Amit Sial for The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case

In the Best Actress category, nominees include:

• Surveen Chawla for Criminal Justice Season 4

• Shabana Azmi for Dabba Cartel

• Monika Panwar for Khauf

• Girija Oak Godbole for Perfect Family

• Priyamani for The Family Man Season 3

Short Film Categories Highlight Emerging Talent

The short film nominations highlight emerging filmmakers and performers working across experimental storytelling formats.

Films nominated for Best Short Film include:

• Aasmaani Jhoola (The Giant Wheel of Life)

• Direct Recruitment

• Maaybaapache Aashirwaad (Blessings)

• Nighiyaan Chhavan (Warm Shadows)

• Tumhari Baari Jo (Jo’s Turn)

These projects also received nominations across categories such as Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Writing and Cinematography.

Documentary Category Recognises Unique Stories

The Best Documentary nominations showcase a wide range of stories exploring social, cultural and personal themes.

Nominees include:

• 1PB Mein Sufiyana Qalam (Music in a Village Named 1PB)

• Chaar Phool Hain Aur Duniya Hai

• I, Poppy

• Loving Karma

• Marriage Cops

These documentaries highlight the growing importance of non-fiction storytelling in Indian cinema.

Critics’ Choice Awards Continue to Spotlight Diverse Cinema

The Critics’ Choice Awards, organised by the Film Critics Guild in collaboration with WPP Motion Entertainment, have become one of the most respected recognitions of critical excellence in Indian entertainment.

Unlike popular awards that often focus on commercial success, these awards aim to celebrate artistic storytelling, innovative filmmaking and powerful performances.

The nominations across feature films, web series, documentaries and short films demonstrate the expanding landscape of Indian entertainment, where creators from different regions and platforms are gaining national and international recognition.

Conclusion

The Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 nominations highlight a wide range of outstanding projects across Indian cinema and streaming platforms.

While Homebound leads the feature film nominations and Black Warrant dominates the web series category, Akshaye Khanna’s nomination for Dhurandhar stands out as a major recognition for the veteran actor.

As anticipation builds ahead of the awards ceremony, the nominations underline the depth and diversity of talent shaping the future of Indian storytelling.

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