MET Utsav 2026: Jackie Shroff, Zeenat Aman, Neeraj Ghaywan, Bela Shende, and Shail Hada Honoured at Grand Finale

At the heart of MET Utsav 2026 were the students themselves - hundreds of young men and women who poured weeks of practice, passion, and creative energy into every performance, competition, and showcase the festival had to offer. From the opening Sports Day which saw fierce and jubilant competition, hands-on workshops, and a roaring carnival, each day was a testament to the drive and enthusiasm that defines the MET community. The Grand Finale became the stage where those weeks of preparation converged into moments of pure magic: dynamic dance acts, aerial choreography that left the audience breathless, a culturally immersive fashion show, and stand-up performances that had the auditorium in stitches. For many students, these were memories in the making, the kind that linger long after the spotlights fade.

"MET Utsav 2026 belongs to our students - every performance, every competition, every late-night rehearsal that went into making this festival what it was," said Pankaj Bhujbal, Hon. Trustee, MET. "The theme 'Mind Meets Machine' challenged them to think differently about creativity, technology, and their place in the world, and they rose to it magnificently. The MET Eminence Honor was our way of placing that student energy in conversation with the legends who have shaped Indian culture. When Jackie Shroff, Zeenat Aman, Neeraj Ghaywan, Shail Hada, and Bela Shende are in the same room as our students, inspiration flows in every direction."

The centrepiece of the Grand Finale was the inaugural presentation of the MET Eminence Honor, a newly established recognition conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence, enduring influence, and remarkable contribution to the world of art, culture, and society. Seven distinguished honourees were celebrated on the night, with the awards presented by MET Founder Chairman Chhagan Bhujbal in the esteemed presence of Hon. MET Trustees Pankaj Bhujbal, Samir Bhujbal, Dr. Jitendra S. Wagh, and Subhash Sanas.

The MET Eminence Honors 2026 were conferred upon legendary actor Jackie Shroff and screen icon Zeenat Aman for their excellence and timeless grace in Indian cinema; internationally acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose latest feature Homebound, executive produced by Martin Scorsese, is India’s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards; celebrated playback singers Shail Hada and Bela Shende for their outstanding contributions to Indian playback and classical music; and Chetan Shashital for his excellence in voice artistry.

On the same occasion, the prestigious MET Ratna Awards were bestowed upon outstanding academic toppers across MET’s institutes, honouring scholarly excellence and intellectual distinction. The MET Gaurav Awards were conferred on students, faculty, and staff who have carried the MET flag to national and international platforms, representing the institution with distinction in competitive, professional, and creative arenas beyond the campus.

MET Utsav 2026 reaffirmed the institution’s belief that education flourishes when it embraces culture, creativity, and community. Anchored by the theme “Mind Meets Machine,” this year’s festival challenged students to think boldly, perform fearlessly, and celebrate the full breadth of who they are - not just as students, but as the next generation of India’s thinkers, makers, and leaders.

About MET:

Established in 1989, with a mission to redefine the system of education, Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) is a professionally managed, multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted oasis of knowledge. Its premiere educational institutes conduct university accredited and autonomous courses. Its premiere educational institutes conduct university accredited and autonomous courses.

At MET thousands of students and faculty are involved in delivering unique learning systems, through ultra-modern infrastructure and academic rigour. MET Institutes are ISO certified, with affiliations to the University of Mumbai, Directorate of Technical Education, All India Council of Technical Education, MSBTE, Pharmacy Council of India, C-DAC - Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), London. MET is a recognised teaching center of awarding body University of London and also has strategic institutional collaborations with the NCC Education, UK.

There are about 21 institutes housed in state of the art campuses located in Mumbai and Nashik.