The Chetak Screen Awards 2026, a prestigious event hosted by Alia Bhatt, Farah Khan, Sunil Grover, Zakir Khan, and Saurabh Dwivedi, drew a star-studded crowd including Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar. Amidst the glamour, Rajpal Yadav, who recently faced a six-month sentence for a cheque bounce case involving nearly ₹9 crore (approximately $1.1 million USD) in unpaid loans, provided a humorous moment. During discussions about the global oil crisis, Saurabh Dwivedi joked about Yadav's debts, stating, “no matter what happens to dollar-rupee, you will have to return every penny you owe.” This elicited laughter from attendees, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Chetak Screen Awards, instituted by The Indian Express Group, aim to honor artistic merit and are decided through a structured voting process by the Screen Academy, which includes notable filmmakers and cultural figures. The awards emphasize integrity and peer respect in recognizing artistic achievements.