The Indian National Cine Academy (INCA) has officially announced the winners of its inaugural awards. The much-anticipated ceremony will take place on April 16, 2026, in Mumbai, bringing together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema.
Moreover, the grand event will be hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Rana Daggubati, adding to the excitement surrounding the first edition.
A New Stage for Indian Cinema
The INCA Awards were introduced with the vision of strengthening collaboration across India’s diverse film industries. In addition, the academy aims to bring together artists, technicians, producers, and institutions under a unified platform.
Furthermore, the initiative is supported by the Producers Guild of India as Chief Patron. The awards span 21 categories across 12 industries and languages, highlighting excellence in both regional and national cinema. As a result, the inaugural edition promises to celebrate the diversity and creativity of Indian filmmaking.
Biggest Winners of the First Edition
This year, Dhurandhar, Lokah, and Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 emerged as the biggest winners. Notably, these films dominated several major categories and received widespread recognition.
In the acting categories, Ranveer Singh won Best Actor (Hindi). Meanwhile, Yami Gautam took home Best Actress (Hindi) for Haq.
Additionally, Ahaan Panday won Best Debut Actor for Saiyaara. At the same time, Riya Shibu was named Best Debut Actress for the Malayalam film Sarvam Maya.
Regional Cinema Winners Shine
Regional cinema also made a strong impact at the inaugural awards. For instance, Rashmika Mandanna won Best Actress (Telugu) for The Girlfriend.
Similarly, Naga Chaitanya secured Best Actor (Telugu). Meanwhile, Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor (Tamil) for Kaantha.
In addition, Prosenjit Chatterjee received Best Actor (Bengali) for Devi Chowdhurani, further highlighting the strong regional representation.
Music and Writing Categories
In the music segment, Shreya Ghoshal won Best Female Playback Singer for Saiyaara. Likewise, Vishal Mishra received Best Male Playback Singer.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound won Best Story & Screenplay, earning further appreciation from the industry.
Star-Studded Ceremony Expected in Mumbai
The INCA Awards ceremony on April 16 in Mumbai is expected to witness participation from leading filmmakers, actors, technicians, and producers from across India.
Overall, with its pan-India vision and wide representation, the inaugural INCA Awards is set to become one of the most significant gatherings of the Indian film fraternity.
