Netflix India is celebrating a significant achievement, having clinched an impressive nine nominations at the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA). Among the acclaimed shows recognized are the gripping drama Black Warrant and the intense thriller IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
These nominated productions will proudly represent India as they advance to the Grand Awards, where they’ll compete against other top-tier content from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in December 2024, hosted in Singapore.
Other notable Netflix India productions earning nominations include The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan and Modern Masters – SS Rajamouli.
The compelling series Black Warrant emerged as a frontrunner, securing a remarkable five nominations in crucial categories. These include nods for Best Promo or Trailer, Best Editing (Tanya Chhabria), Best Sound (Kunal Sharma), Best Screenplay (Satyanshu Singh and Arkesh Ajay), Best Cinematography (Saumyananda Sahi), and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Zahan Kapoor. This impressive showing was highlighted in a statement released by the streaming giant.
Specifically, Modern Masters – SS Rajamouli received recognition in the Best Documentary Programme (One-Off) category, and The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan was acknowledged with a nomination for Best Documentary (Series).
The high-stakes production IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack also received an accolade, securing a nomination for Best VFX, a credit shared by Dipen Bhaskar and Vivek Dey.
Tanya Bami, Series Head at Netflix India, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are incredibly excited and deeply humbled to be recognized for such a diverse array of stories and genres, truly reflecting the breadth of our series offerings. This achievement stands as a testament to the extraordinary work our partners bring to life in collaboration with us.”
She added, “What makes this recognition particularly special is witnessing both our experienced creators and promising new talent, along with the dedicated individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes, receive this well-deserved acknowledgment. This showcases Indian creativity at its peak, and we are immensely proud to champion these impactful voices.”
Actor Zahan Kapoor, nominated for Best Actor for his compelling portrayal of Sunil Gupta in Black Warrant, shared his thoughts: “Being a part of Black Warrant has been an unforgettable journey, and to receive recognition from the Asian Academy Creative Awards for this role feels truly surreal.”
He elaborated, “Portraying Sunil Gupta, a man who endured decades within the confines of Tihar Jail and witnessed the final moments of death row inmates, was a profoundly humbling and impactful experience.” Kapoor also acknowledged Vikramaditya Motwane, Satyanshu Singh, and the show’s writers, emphasizing that this was a truly once-in-a-lifetime role for him.
Sameer Nair, MD of Applause Entertainment, commented on the nominations, stating, “Black Warrant has been a truly special journey for everyone involved, and these numerous nominations at the Asian Academy Creative Awards are both humbling and incredibly gratifying.”
Nair continued, “We’re immensely proud that Black Warrant garnered the highest number of National Wins this year. We eagerly anticipate the Gala Awards in December, where the series will represent India across numerous prestigious categories.” He also noted that at the 2024 awards, Netflix India had earned nominations for other remarkable productions such as Amar Singh Chamkila, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, The Railway Men, and The Hunt For Veerappan.