Mumbai: NDTV Imagine has announced the Salaam-E-Comedy Awards, in recognition of the genre of comedy films and the artists that are part of this popular genre.

Airtel Salaam-E-Comedy Awards has been produced and conceptualized by Percept D’Mark.

The Awards that aim to recognize and nurture comic talent in the country will honour the films from 1 January 2007- 30 April 2008 and its stars from Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and Best Film to Best Comedy Character and Best Comedy Scene of the Year.

Airtel Salaam-E-Comedy Awards has a panel of judges comprising Ketan Mehta, Kundan Shah, Honey Irani, Sudhir Mishra, Satish Kaushik and Ashok Pandit who have shortlisted the nominations for the various award categories and will decide the winners.

NDTV Imagine content EVP Shailja Kejriwal said, "As part of our strategy to ensure complete entertainment for the whole family, the weekend programming line-up on NDTV Imagine includes specially created events and shows that have received a tremendous response from our audience.  The launch of Airtel Salaam-E-Comedy Awards has a two-pronged objective, which is to recognize and honour the immense talent in this genre and to ensure that we bring fresh new concepts to our audiences on a regular basis. "

Airtel Salaam-E-Comedy Awards will air on NDTV Imagine in September.