SINGAPORE: Director Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) and Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar triumphed at the 13th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards on Saturday. This has been a good year for Akhtar and Ali, who have bagged some of the most prominent trophies at award events such as Filmfare, Stardust and Apsara 2012.
At this year’s IIFA awards, ZNMD scooped the awards for best film, best story, best actor in supporting role for Farhan Akhtar and best director for Zoya. Rockstar won the best actor in a lead role for Ranbir, best music direction for AR Rahman, best lyrics for the song and best playback singer male for Mohit Chauhan for “Nadaan Parindey”.
Ranbir, who played the role of an aspiring singer in Rockstar beat seasoned actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan to the top and waltzed away with the trophy. On the other hand, Vidya Balan kept up her winning streak by picking up the award for best actress in a lead role for The Dirty Picture. She emerged victorious among Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Mahie Gill and Kangna Ranaut.
While hosts Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar kept the audience in good spirits with their wit and humour, the show saw star-studded performances by Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu, Prabhu Deva, Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Kapoor and father-son duo Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor.
Ode to excellence
Actor Priyanka Chopra paid a heart-warming and thrilling tribute to yesteryear actor Rekha by dancing to some of her popular songs. Chopra’s performance came ahead of the special honour conferred to Rekha for outstanding achievement in Indian cinema. After receiving the award, Rekha said: “I would like to dedicate this award to my producers who have inspired me and the young actors of our industry like Ranbir Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Priyanka Chopra, who are super talented. I am proud that I continue to be a part of film fraternity.”
Shake a leg
Father-son duo Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor set the stage on fire by performing together for the first time.
Ranbir made a grand entry with an electric guitar in his hand and performed on “Saada Haq” from his hit film Rockstar. Though Ranbir is known for his impeccable dancing style, it was his father Rishi who stole the show and beat him in a friendly competition. Both actors were seen competing with each other on their own versions of “Bachna Ae Haseeno” but at the end, Ranbir accepted his defeat.
Missing in action
Though this year’s IIFA awards had its own appeal, the actors who were missed by all included Hrithik Roshan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, John Abraham, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Sonam Kapoor.
(With additional information from indiecine.com)
The award goes to…
Best Actor — Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar)
Best Actress — Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture)
Best Movie — Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Best Director — Zoya Akhtar (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Best Supporting Actor — Farhan Akhtar (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Best Supporting Actress — Parineeti Chopra (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)
Best Debut (Male) — Vidyut Jamwal (Force)
Best Debut (Female) — Parineeti Chopra (Ladies vs Ricky Bahl)
Best Music — AR Rahman (Rockstar)
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2012.