Mumbai: ‘Z’, India’s leading Content and Technology Powerhouse has played a defining role in shaping India’s entertainment landscape, continually reimagining how stories are told and experienced. The company pairs emotionally resonant storytelling with cutting-edge innovation to craft immersive entertainment experiences which are rooted in culture and built for the future, across screens, formats, and languages. With decades of storytelling experience, the network continues to evolve audience engagement across platforms, forging deeper and more meaningful connections with viewers.
Amongst these is Zee Cine Awards, a cornerstone of this legacy, which has stood as a trusted and celebrated platform honouring excellence in Hindi cinema. Over the years, it has evolved into a much-loved celebration that reflects not only industry achievement, but also the enduring bond between cinema and its audiences, recognizing them as the true champions of cinema.
This year, ‘Z’ takes its fan-first philosophy, ‘FANtertainment’, to the next level with ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’—an extension that reinforces the belief that cinema’s most unforgettable moments are shaped by the love, loyalty, and passion of fans. Maruti Suzuki presents 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026 celebrates this truth, making every moment a shared experience between stars and their biggest supporters.
The 2026 edition was officially announced in Mumbai through a high-energy, fan-driven press conference, with Bollywood superstars Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, Mithoon, and Palak Muchhal coming together to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter. Their presence brought warmth, star power, and relatability, setting the tone for a season that celebrates cinema through the eyes of its biggest champions, the fans. The announcement became an immersive, fan-driven experience where fans didn’t just witness the moment, they created it.
Staying true to the spirit of ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, the announcement unfolded as an immersive experience where fans didn’t just witness the moment—they shaped it. Superstar Akshay Kumar elevated the celebration by directly engaging with the fans and inviting all the stars on stage, revealing the Maruti Suzuki 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026 ground event date.
The energy continued to soar as actors Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, & Aparshakti Khurana took center stage along with music composer Mithoon & singer Palak Muchhal, engaging with fans, recreating iconic hook steps, and participating in high-spirited, interactive moments. With playful exchanges, and spontaneous performances, fan engagement remained at the heart of the evening. The seamless blend of performances, interactions, and shared enthusiasm created a vibrant atmosphere, celebrating the unique bond between stars and audiences and turning every moment into a truly memorable experience.
Maruti Suzuki presents 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026 continue to unfold as a shared journey across television, digital, print and fan-led experiences, creating sustained engagement from the announcement phase through to the awards night and beyond. The focus remains on strengthening emotional connection, expanding participation and celebrating fandom as a cultural force that elevates cinema.
Laxmi Shetty Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast & Digital, ZEEL, “As Zee Cine Awards enters its 24th edition, it stands as one of the most prestigious and enduring celebrations of Hindi cinema. Its continued relevance is powered by ZEE’s robust omni-channel ecosystem, which mirrors today’s evolving content consumption across television, digital and social platforms, enabling seamless viewer engagement. The scale and strength of ZEE’s network continue to earn long-standing trust from audiences and partners, reflected in sustained associations with marquee brands such as Maruti Suzuki, along with partners like Hell Energy, Rajdhani Dal, L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Gloss, Cadbury Dairy Milk & Balaji Wafers. Maruti Suzuki’s four-year journey with Zee Cine Awards underscores the depth of this collaboration, while audience-led initiatives further highlight how the platform drives meaningful participation. Collectively, these partnerships reinforce ZEE’s position as a culturally relevant, future-ready platform delivering impactful brand engagement at scale.”
Ruchir Tiwari, Chief Cluster Officer – Hindi & Marathi Movies, ZEEL, added, “Zee Cine Awards has always stood for credibility and scale, and with every edition, the endeavour is to raise the bar on what viewers experience on awards night. For 2026, audiences can expect a celebration that brings together cinema in its most spectacular form, through performances, moments, and storytelling that feel fresh, ambitious, and unlike anything seen before. The focus is on creating a night that surprises, delights, and stays with viewers long after the curtains come down.”
Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, ZEE & ZEE5, said, “With FANtertainment and ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, we are celebrating how cinema truly lives, through moments that travel through culture. These are the scenes, entries, dialogues, and emotions that fans carry forward, reference, remix and relive. Fandom is created in these moments and it is audiences who give them meaning.”
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer – Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Zee Cine Awards is one such platform which consistently reflects this voice and passion of audiences who make this celebration truly meaningful. Maruti Suzuki and ZEE, two brands deeply embedded in India’s cultural fabric, are celebrating this partnering for the fourth time. We are proud to present our latest offering to tap the new generation of customers in the SUV segment with Maruti Suzuki Victoris – the “Indian Car of the Year 2026” which has “Got It All”.
The response to Victoris has been nothing short of historic. I am thrilled to share that it has achieved 50,000 sales in just 5 months since launch—making it the fastest SUV in its segment to reach this milestone in Indian automotive history. Victoris, with its spirit of innovation and excellence, represents our pursuit to bring forth contemporary design, advanced technology, and a more aspirational mobility experience to our customers. With this, I kick-start the Zee Cine Awards 2026 and look forward to a memorable event.
Unnikannan Gangadharan, Director HELL ENERGY PVT LTD said, “As HELL ENERGY DRINK marks 20 years of its global journey, it is a proud moment to celebrate this milestone at the Zee Cine Awards 2026. What started in Hungary as an entrepreneurial vision has today grown into a global brand present in over 60 countries. India remains a key focus market for us, driven by a young and aspirational consumer base. Responding to evolving preferences for a wide range, we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of HELL ZERO – White Peach Flavour, a zero-sugar variant designed for today’s lifestyle-driven consumer. We are also proud to present the HELL ENERGY DRINK – Viewers’ Choice Song of the Year, celebrating the real moment of fans and their deep connection with cinema.”
Speaking at the event, Akshay Kumar said, “I entered the industry in 1991, and Zee TV was launched in 1992. In many ways, our journeys have evolved side by side. The Zee Cine Awards is a prestigious and significant platform, and I have had the pleasure of performing at this event on several occasions. I am delighted that ZCA is returning once again. I look forward to performing at the awards this year, alongside several other esteemed artists.”
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia said, “Zee Cine Awards has always been a celebration of cinema at its finest. Being associated with such a legacy award show is truly special, it’s a moment to honor the craft, celebrate stories, and connect with both fans and fellow actors. For me, it’s always a joy to be part of an evening that reminds us why we fell in love with films in the first place.”
Actress Jacqueline Fernandez mentioned, “Zee Cine Awards is one of those rare events that feels like a family reunion of Bollywood, the best films, the best talent, and the fans who make it all worthwhile. Being part of this celebration is incredibly exciting. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do: to create magic on screen and celebrate it with everyone who believes in it.”
Actress Sonam Bajwa shared, “Zee Cine Awards 2026 is not just about recognition, it’s about celebrating the magic of cinema with the entire Bollywood family. Sharing this platform with my peers and performing in front of fans who’ve supported us through every film is a feeling that never gets old. It’s an experience full of energy, excitement, and heartfelt appreciation.”
Aparshakti Khurana shared, “Returning to host the Zee Cine Awards once again feels incredibly special. It’s a celebration that brings together the best of Hindi cinema, exceptional talent, unforgettable stories, and most importantly, the fans who give cinema its heartbeat. Zee Cine Awards has a unique warmth and energy, and being at the centre of that celebration, especially in a year that truly puts fans in the spotlight, is something I’m genuinely excited about.”
Music Composer & Singer Mithoon added, “As a composer, performing at the Zee Cine Awards is a unique experience. It’s a stage to present music that connects deeply with people, right in front of the artists, the industry, and the fans who make my music so large. Being part of this legacy celebration is both humbling and exhilarating, it’s where art, recognition, and audience come together beautifully.”
Singer Palak Muchhal said, “Music has always been about touching hearts, and the Zee Cine Awards provides the perfect stage for that. Performing here, surrounded by the industry I admire and the fans whose love keeps me inspired, is truly special. It’s a celebration of talent, dedication, and the joy that cinema and music bring to everyone.”
Get ready to witness the grand return of Hindi cinema’s biggest celebration as the Maruti Suzuki presents 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026 lights up Mumbai at the NSCI Dome on 28th February and 1st March. Promising spectacular performances, star-studded glamour, and unforgettable moments, the celebration will be powered by our presenting partner Maruti Suzuki, Energy Drink Partner Hell Energy Drink and Special Partners Rajdhani Dal, L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Gloss, Cadbury Dairy Milk & Balaji Wafers, coming together to make this cinematic extravaganza truly iconic.
Tickets will be available on District by Zomato, while audiences across the country can relive all the magic on Zee TV, Zee Cinema, and ZEE5.
-Based on Press Release
