Amithabh, AR Rahman, Katrina.. nominated for the..

Nomination in the Category of Entertainment was based on the innovation of the entertainers.

To choose these nominees, IBN18's editorial team went through a stringent ratifying process and finally short listed six entertainers who have left an indelible mark with the depth of their vision, their innovative thinking and dedication to provide quality entertainment to the viewers, said a channel release issued Thursday.

Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 Network said, "One of our key objectives and driving forces behind these awards has been to try and make them as credible as possible. The procedure undertaken for selecting and short listing the nominees for CNN-IBN Indian of the Year '09 awards underlines complete transparency. We look forward to honouring and awarding the achievers".

The nominees for CNN-IBN Indian of the Year '09 in the category of Entertainment are:

COLORS: For consistent leadership in its very first year of existence and re-writing the rules of entertainment television

A R RAHMAN: For winning the Oscar and proving he is one of India's biggest influences on world music.

RANBIR KAPOOR: For achieving the tag of being one of the most bankable young stars with two consecutive hits

KATRINA KAIF: For being the most consistent and reliable hit machine in one of Bollywood's worst year.

PRINCE GROUP OF ORISSA: For scripting a remarkable story of casual labourers in remote Orissa turning into acclaimed TV stars.

AMITABH BACHCHAN: For being 68, yet daring to play a 13-year-old in Paa, for producing a regional film like Vihir and entertaining us for 40 years.

--IBNS