The awards season kicked off in style as the Zee Cine Awards 2026 were held on Sunday, March 1. Actor Kriti Sanon took home the Best Actress trophy for her performance in Tere Ishk Mein. While many praised her work in the film, the win has sparked a debate online, with several netizens expressing disappointment over the outcome.
On social media platforms, particularly Reddit, users questioned the decision, arguing that Yami Gautam for Haq or Kangana Ranaut for Emergency were more deserving candidates this year.
One user wrote that although Kriti delivered a solid performance, the award should have gone to Yami, whose portrayal in Haq received widespread critical acclaim. Another comment suggested that Kangana’s intense performance in Emergency was equally award-worthy. Some even speculated that attendance at the ceremony may have influenced the result, noting that actors who attend often have higher chances of winning at popular award shows.
Despite the criticism, Kriti’s performance in Tere Ishk Mein was appreciated by a section of the audience. However, both critics and moviegoers had strongly lauded Yami’s role in Haq, with many social media users even campaigning for her to receive a National Award after the film’s release.
As this marks one of the first major popular award ceremonies of the year, more events are lined up in the coming months. It remains to be seen whether the Best Actress category will witness different winners elsewhere.
Kriti Sanon’s Upcoming Projects
Kriti currently has Cocktail 2 officially announced, co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is expected to release later this year, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.
She was also reportedly set to star opposite Ranveer Singh in Don 3, but the project has been put on hold for now.