The stage is set for a celebration of Indian entertainment as News18 prepares to host the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2026 on March 7 in Mumbai. Bringing together voices from across cinema and OTT under one roof, the awards will recognize films, web series, performances, and creative talent that captured the imagination of audiences over the past year.
The evening will be hosted by Maniesh Paul and Mini Mathur, for a celebration that honors the storytellers and artists in Indian entertainment. Adding depth to the awards is a jury panel, comprising industry players such as Priyadarshan, Tanvi Azmi, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Mahima Chaudhry, Shruti Mahajan, and Saurabh Sachdeva. With their collective experience, the jury will evaluate nominations across key categories, recognizing achievements in films and web shows.
The awards ceremony will also mark the presence of names from the entertainment world. Madhuri Dixit, Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, Shabana Azmi, Aneet Padda, Ahaan Panday, Ishaan Khatter, Asha Parekh, Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Monika Panwar, Sanya Malhotra, and Mona Singh, among others, are set to grace the evening for a celebration of creativity, craft, and cinematic excellence.
Alongside them, several voices from the creative community will also be in attendance, including filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, creative producer Reshu Nath, and filmmaker Suparn S. Varma, underscoring the collaborative spirit in Indian storytelling.
Puneet Singhvi, Chief Strategy Officer, Network18 Group said, “The Indian entertainment industry is evolving at a remarkable pace today. Stories are travelling across platforms and reaching audiences around the world in ways we could not have imagined a decade ago. With the News18 Showsha Reel Awards, we aim to celebrate the creators, storytellers, and artists who are driving this change. With every edition, we look forward to recognising the passion, talent, and creative ambition that remind us why great stories continue to matter.”
Mitul Sangani, CEO, News18 Digital said, “The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2026 is a celebration of the creativity and talent that continue to shape the entertainment landscape. As audiences increasingly engage with content across digital platforms, it is important to recognise the storytellers, performers, and creators who are redefining entertainment and connecting with viewers in powerful ways.”
Rakesh Rai, Managing Editor, News18.com said, “Platforms like the News18 Showsha Reel Awards play an important role in recognising the evolving nature of entertainment today. As the industry continues to push creative boundaries, it is equally important to acknowledge the talent, passion, and innovation that power these stories. It is an absolute privilege and honour to celebrate the filmmakers, performers, and creators who continue to spotlight the talent that continues to elevate Indian entertainment.”
With a lineup of guests, a jury, and award categories spanning cinema and OTT, The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2026 is an evening of celebration, recognition, and moments as filmmakers, actors, creators, and industry players gather to applaud the stories and talents that defined the year.
