Taking its fan-first philosophy beyond the stage and straight into the hearts of its audience, Maruti Suzuki presents the 24th Zee Cine Awards 2026 marked a landmark moment this year with a first-ever initiative in collaboration with NGOs CanKids and Salam Bombay. Rooted in the belief that cinema belongs to its fans, this unique initiative brought children supported by the two organisations into the grand celebration at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome, granting them an experience that was once reserved only for stars, their very own Purple Carpet moment. CanKids is a national organisation that supports children battling cancer and their families by providing treatment assistance, emotional care, and logistical support throughout their journey, while Salaam Bombay works extensively with children from vulnerable communities, empowering them through education, healthcare initiatives, and life-skills programmes. Through this collaboration, Zee Cine Awards ensured that children who have shown immense resilience in their personal journeys could step into the world of cinema and experience its magic firsthand. For the first time in the history of the Zee Cine Awards, the spotlight widened to include these young champions. They walked the iconic purple carpet, soaked in the electrifying energy of Indian cinema’s biggest night, and experienced the magic of the awards up close. What unfolded was far more than participation; it was a celebration of resilience, hope, and belonging, values that lie at the very heart of FANtertainment. The children not only witnessed the scale and spectacle of the evening but also shared intimate, heartfelt moments with celebrated artists like music composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal, turning admiration into genuine connection. These interactions embodied the deeper philosophy of ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, where fandom is defined not by proximity to glamour but by the emotions and dreams that cinema inspires. Speaking about it, Vikas Yadav, a Cancer Survivor and volunteer from CanKids, said, “I want to sincerely thank Zee Cine Awards for giving 21 of our children this beautiful opportunity. What they had only ever seen on television,they experienced in real life for the first time. They truly enjoyed every moment. The happiness I saw on their facestoday is something I have never seen before. Thank you so much to the entire team for all your efforts and for making their dream come true.”