Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia has sparked a conversation across the industry after openly criticizing the lack of attendance at the recently held Chetak Screen Awards 2026. Taking to social media, Dholakia didn’t hold back as he expressed disappointment over several nominees and winners skipping the ceremony despite knowing about their wins in advance.
In his tweet, he wrote: "Extremely disappointed ( Not surprised) that most people who were nominated for , and also won the awards did not show up to accept. I am not surprised because in most award functions, those winning it know in advance and attend only if there are winning- Disappointed because - here #chetakscreenawards are trying to do something different, everyone knew about it, but they did not support. So it’s a fact that you are not one fraternity- you are the only one in your fraternity! But as @psinhajha says - Ayege- Zaroor Ayege - Hum Humara kaam karte rahege! Well good luck Priyanka!"
His remarks come at a time when the awards show marked a significant comeback after two decades, attempting to bring credibility back with a more academy-driven approach and a live broadcast format. The event, hosted by Alia Bhatt, aimed to celebrate cinematic excellence while moving away from the perception of pre-decided glamour-centric ceremonies.
Despite these efforts, the absence of several winners became a talking point. Films like Homebound took home major honors including Best Film, while Dhurandhar reportedly dominated multiple categories. Yet, the lack of representation on stage diluted what could have been a landmark moment for the revived awards.
Dholakia’s statement also touched on a deeper issue—questioning the idea of unity within the film industry. His observation that “you are not one fraternity” reflects a growing sentiment that Bollywood often functions in silos, with individual gains sometimes taking precedence over collective support.
However, the filmmaker ended his note on a hopeful tone, echoing optimism from organizer Priyanka Sinha Jha, suggesting that consistent effort will eventually bring change. As debates around credibility, participation, and industry culture continue, this moment may well serve as a turning point for how award shows are perceived—and supported—in the future.