The Film Critics Guild, in collaboration with WPP Motion Entertainment, has unveiled the nominations for the 8th edition of the Critics’ Choice Awards. The annual awards recognise achievements across feature films, web series, short films and documentaries from across India.
Now in its eighth year, the awards continue their focus on celebrating diverse storytelling across languages, formats and platforms. This also marks the second consecutive year that the ceremony will honour excellence in documentary filmmaking.
The Critics’ Choice Awards are voted on by 56 film critics from across the country who are members of the Film Critics Guild. The organisation is currently led by Anupama Chopra as Chairperson and Sucharita Tyagi as Vice-Chairperson, with Bharathi Pradhan serving as Treasurer.
Homebound leads feature film nominations
Among feature films, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, emerged as the most nominated title with six nominations. It was followed by Sabar Bonda, directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, and Jugnuma, directed by Raam Reddy, with three nominations each.
Other films receiving multiple nominations include The Great Shamsuddin Family, Bison Kaalamaadan and the BAFTA-winning Manipuri film Boong.
Black Warrant dominates web series category
In the web series segment, Black Warrant led the nominations with seven nods. It was followed by Paatal Lok Season 2 with five nominations and The Ba***ds of Bollywood with four.
The Best Documentary category features titles such as Chaar Phool Hain Aur Duniya Hai, a portrait of the late Jnanpith Award-winning writer Vinod Kumar Shukla, along with the Hot Docs-winning documentary I, Poppy.
In the short film section, Aasmaani Jhoola and Maaybaapache Aashirwaad emerged as the most nominated titles with five nominations each.
Farida Jalal to be honoured
At the ceremony, veteran actor Farida Jalal will receive the Extraordinary Contribution to Cinema Award. The awards will also see Brut join as the Culture Partner, while Sony LIV will serve as the official broadcast partner.
Speaking about the nominations, Anupama Chopra said the awards offer a perspective on the current state of Indian storytelling beyond commercial metrics. “Each year, the Critics’ Choice Awards offer a snapshot of where Indian storytelling truly stands, beyond box office numbers or algorithms. The range, ambition and emotional honesty of the work submitted this year made the deliberations both challenging and immensely fulfilling,” she said.
Ashwin Padmanabhan added that the initiative reflects WPP’s commitment to recognising creative excellence. “The Critics’ Choice Awards have established themselves as a benchmark for critical recognition in India’s content ecosystem. Through WPP Motion Entertainment, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Film Critics Guild in honouring work that reflects both artistic distinction and the evolving ambitions of Indian storytelling,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gaurav Banerjee highlighted the growing momentum in Indian storytelling. “India is in the middle of a remarkable storytelling moment, with creators across languages and formats pushing the boundaries of craft and imagination. The Critics’ Choice Awards celebrate this creative momentum,” he said.
The Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 ceremony will celebrate achievements across cinema and streaming, recognising creators who continue to expand the scope of storytelling across India’s film and digital landscape.
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