Who’s judging India’s top creators? Meet the Power Creator Awards 2026 jury

Times Entertainment’s Power Creator Awards 2026, set to take place in Mumbai, brings together a distinguished jury of leaders from across India’s entertainment, talent, and digital content landscape. Spanning talent management, casting, acting, storytelling, and creator-led media, the jury brings diverse perspectives and deep industry expertise to the evaluation process. Their collective experience in identifying talent, shaping narratives, building audiences, and driving cultural conversations makes them uniquely positioned to select the Jury Choice winners.Dhruv Chitgopekar is the founder of Collective Artists Network, one of India’s leading new media companies operating at the intersection of talent, media, technology, and content. A key voice in India’s evolving creator ecosystem, Dhruv has played an instrumental role in building platforms and opportunities for creators and talent alike. Speaking on the rise of the creator economy, Dhruv says, “The creator economy today is far more than just influence, it has evolved into a powerful industry shaping culture, communities, and businesses alike. Creators are driving meaningful impact through authentic storytelling, subject matter expertise, entertainment, awareness-building, and the brands they are building for themselves. It’s inspiring to see how this ecosystem continues to grow and redefine modern media. The Power Creator Awards 2026 comes at the perfect time to celebrate these pathbreaking voices and emerging new media enterprises.”One of India’s most respected casting directors, Mukesh Chhabra has spent over two decades shaping the country's entertainment landscape by discovering and nurturing exceptional talent. His casting credits include acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Dangal, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, Jawan, and Dhurandhar, among many others. On how creators are gradually progressing to a career in acting, Mukesh tells us, “As someone who has spent years discovering actors, I find it fascinating how many creators are now transitioning into films and series because they already know how to engage, entertain, and build a genuine connection with audiences,” adding, “The Power Creator Awards is a celebration of this new wave of storytellers who are redefining entertainment and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger.”Actor, comedian, and digital creator Gaurav Gera has successfully bridged traditional and digital entertainment through a career marked by versatility and reinvention. Widely recognised for his comic performances in television and for creating beloved viral characters such as ‘Shopkeeper & Chutki’, Gaurav has also continued to expand his footprint in mainstream cinema with projects such as Dhurandhar. Having straddled both worlds, that of a creator and actor, Gaurav expresses, “The creator economy today is one of the most powerful cultural forces, shaping how stories are told and consumed. Having witnessed this evolution firsthand as both an actor and a creator, I truly believe it’s important to recognise and celebrate the voices driving this change.” Lauding platforms like the Power Creator Awards, Gaurav further adds, “These awards not only validate creative excellence but also inspire a new generation to dream bigger and create fearlessly. I’m glad to be part of a jury that champions this spirit.”Actor, author, and host Kubbra Sait is known for bringing authenticity and individuality to every medium she works in. She rose to nationwide acclaim with her breakthrough performance as Kukoo in Sacred Games, a role that challenged conventions and earned widespread appreciation. Since then, she has built a multifaceted career across films, digital content, literature, and live events. Reflecting on her experience of being a Power Creator Awards jury member, Kubbra says, “What excites me most about being part of this jury is recognising creators who aren’t chasing trends, because trends fade, but storytelling stays. Beyond virality and metrics, the creators making a real difference are building communities, starting conversations, and inspiring people through authenticity, individuality, and lived imperfect experiences that leave a lasting cultural impact.”The jury will assess nominees across multiple parameters, including creativity, originality, impact, and audience engagement before selecting the winners.Along with Jury Choice winners, Power Creator Awards 2026 will also have Popular Choice winners that will be determined by public votes.This year’s awards feature 25+ categories including Lifestyle, Food, Travel, Fashion, Gaming, Music, Comedy among others. If you are a content creator and want to be in the running for Power Creator Awards 2026, you can nominate yourself. Find all the details here toi.in/o4SfrbTo know more about the Awards, nomination and voting process, click here theindiantimes.app/toi/power-creator-awards.