Nushrratt Bharuccha wins Best Actress at NEXA Streaming Awards 2026 for Chhorii 2
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Nushrratt Bharuccha took home the Best Actress (Female) award at the NEXA Indian Streaming Academy Awards (ISAA) 2026 for her performance in the horror thriller 'Chhorii 2', cementing her place among OTT cinema's most compelling leads. The award was presented at the third edition of the ceremony, which celebrated outstanding contributions to India's booming streaming landscape.
What Nushrratt Said
Reflecting on the honour, Nushrratt spoke with evident emotion about what the recognition means to her. 'It feels very special. When you do something with all your heart, and also a film that says so much, and you get to do so much in the film, and critics give you the award, you really do get the push,' she said. She dedicated the award to all the 'chhoriis out there who have always tried doing something for themselves' — a nod to the film's thematic core of female resilience and self-determination.
About Chhorii 2
Directed by Vishal Furia, 'Chhorii 2' is a sequel to the 2021 original and premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 11 April 2025. Nushrratt reprised her role as Sakshi, a mother fighting to protect her seven-year-old daughter from a dangerous cult and a sinister daasi portrayed by Soha Ali Khan, whose character seeks to abduct the child for a ritual sacrifice. The ensemble cast also included Gashmeer Mahajani and Saurabh Goyal.
Other Big Winners at ISAA 2026
The star-studded ceremony honoured several prominent names across India's OTT ecosystem. Manoj Bajpayee claimed Best Actor (Series – Male) for 'The Family Man' Season 3, while Shabana Azmi was recognised with Best Actor (Series – Female) for 'Dabba Cartel'. The Critics' acting awards in the series category went to Shefali Shah for 'Delhi Crime Season 3' and Jaideep Ahlawat for 'Paatal Lok Season 2'. Other honourees included Boman Irani, Sanya Malhotra, and Rasika Dugal.
The Significance of the Award
The NEXA ISAA has quickly established itself as one of the more credible benchmarks for streaming performance in India, with its Critics' category in particular drawing attention from the industry. Nushrratt's win is notable because 'Chhorii 2' competed as an original film rather than a series — a category that has historically received less awards attention despite strong viewership numbers. This recognition could signal a broader shift in how the OTT awards circuit values film-format content alongside prestige series.