Critics’ Choice Awards 2026: Homebound and Black Warrant dominate nominations

The 8th Critics’ Choice Awards nominations have ignited buzz across India’s film and streaming universe, with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound and Vikramaditya Motwane’s Black Warrant racking up the most nods in their respective categories. The Film Critics Guild, working with WPP Motion Entertainment and a 56‑critic jury representing languages and media nationwide, unveiled the full slate of nominees this week ahead of the March 24 awards night.

In the feature film race, Homebound leads with six nominations, while the Sundance success Sabar Bonda and Raam Reddy’s Jugnuma follow closely with three each. Other multiple‑nominated films include Anusha Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family , Mari Selvaraj’s Bison Kaalamaadan , and the BAFTA‑winning Manipuri drama Boong . Speaking to critics’ broad tastes, the Best Film lineup spans intimate dramas, socially charged narratives and genre work, featuring titles such as Sthal , Ponman , and Su from So .

The acting categories reflect an exciting mix of veteran talent and bold new voices. Vishal Jethwa ( Homebound ), Mammootty ( Kalamkaval ), Basil Joseph ( Ponman ), Mounesh Nataranga ( Hebbuli Cut ) and Abhishek Banerjee ( Stolen ) are in the running for Best Actor, while Priyanka Bose ( Agra ), Geetha Kailasam ( Angammal ), Yami Gautam Dhar ( Haq ), Amruta Subhash ( Jarann ) and Sharmila Tagore ( Puratawn ) vie for Best Actress honours. The Best Director category sees a diverse field from Lakshmipriya Devi ( Boong ) to Ghaywan ( Homebound ) and Aranya Sahay ( Humans in the Loop ).

In the web series segment, Black Warrant dominates with seven nominations, followed by Paatal Lok Season 2 and The Bads of Bollywood . Performers including Jaideep Ahlawat ( Paatal Lok S2), Manoj Bajpayee ( The Family Man S3), and Zahan Kapoor ( Black Warrant ) lead Best Actor contention, while Shabana Azmi ( Dabba Cartel ) and Priyamani ( The Family Man S3) anchor the Best Actress field. Directors Motwane and his Black Warrant co‑directors, Pushkar Sunil Mahabal ( Black, White & Gray ‑ Love Kills ), and Avinash Arun Dhaware ( Paatal Lok S2) are nominated for Best Director in the series category.

Short films and documentaries also shine, with Aasmaani Jhoola and Maaybaapache Aashirwaad leading short film nods, and Chaar Phool Hain Aur Duniya Hai — a portrait of the late Jnanpith Award‑winning author Vinod Kumar Shukla — sharing the documentary spotlight with I, Poppy .

Beyond nominees, this year’s celebration is shaping up as a true pan‑Indian storytelling festival — reflecting the Guild’s deliberate push to honor work beyond commercial markers. As critics from across regional industries weighed in, the awards have become a barometer of the year’s most inventive and fearless content. Veteran actor Farida Jalal will be honoured with the Extraordinary Contribution to Cinema Award at the televised ceremony on Sony LIV.