Bollywood Awards 2004 In America!

A packed audience of Trump Taj Mahal arena went into raptures as the Bollywood Awards 2004 for outstanding achievements and performances reeled out top Bollywood stars of yesteryears by their presence and top stars of today with their performances at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City in New Jersey on May 1.

Culminating a two-day show of fashion awards and film awards on successive days, the extravaganza drew thousands of people from the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut to Atlantic City where the audience could see film stars of yesteryears like Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna in flesh and blood, as well as enjoy live performances of contemporary stars like Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Urmila Matonkar, Bipasha Basu, Aftab Shivdasani, Dino Morea, not to mention songs by Shankar Mahadevan, Chitra, Reggie Benjamin (Grammy Nominee) and the middle eastern sensations, the Belly Twins (performed at Oscars/Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s wedding) who opened the show.

Understandably, everyone of the stars, thanked Mr. Kamal Dandona, the Chairman of Bollywood Group Presentation and the man behind the show, for having made this night happen. Mr. Dandona also managed to draw personal messages from top Hollywood celebrities for the show, including a welcome message from Senator Hillary Clinton thanking Kamal and Sonia Dandona for putting on such spectacular events in America.

The Master of Ceremonies was the irresistible Arshad Warsi, who kept the audience in cheers with his Bollywood jokes. He stole the show when he went and spoke to Sharon Stone and received a kiss from the Hollywood stunner.

The first big performance of the night was by Shankar Mahadevan and Chitra whose songs really set the tone for what was to follow. The next performance was by Bipasha Basu, who entertained the audience with three hot numbers. The young and charming Aftab Shivdasani was up next to shake up the audience with his mind-blowing performance. Pakistani beauty, Reema, kept the audience awe-struck with her classical performance. Dino Morea created hysteria with the ladies in the crowd as he gyrated to his latest hits. He blew a kiss to Sharon Stone to which she reacted most excitedly.

The audience went wild over the next 20 minutes, as Rajesh Khanna presented two top heroines of the seventies and eighties who dominated the film world. He recited dialogues from his most popular films. The audience gave him such a strong ovation that he literally had to ask them to be seated. Hema Malini, too, received such a warm welcome when she came up to the stage to receive her Critic’s Award for sNext, Urmila sizzed with her sexy performances from her latest films.

Sharon Stone, Oscar nominee and one of the top leading ladies of Hollywood , was introduced by Mr. Kamal Dandona, who spoke of her illustrious career including her Oscar nomination. He spoke of her extensive work for the Bridge Fund that has changed the lives of the Tibetan people. Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy for the Dalai Lama, gifted her a special scarf from the Dalai Lama. Sharon Stone, an ethereal beauty, spoke of compassion and her desire to live in a peaceful world that truly resonated with the audience who gave her a standing ovation.

This was followed by a scintillating performance by Kareena Kapoor, a medley presented the award to Jean Claude Van Damme for International Action Superstar of the Year. The audience gave him a roaring ovation as well.ss

The night ended with sterling performances by Sanjay Dutt who dazzled the audience with his greatest hits from Khalnayak to Munnabhai, By close to midnight, the audience left the arena, an evening well spent with the best of Bollywood. The television rights were bought by ARY digital media and are set to be telecast in over 130 countries.

Enlisted are the winners:
Woman of Conscience Award – Superstar Sharon Stone
International Action Super Star-Jeane Claude Vandamme
Goodwill Ambassador Award- Reema (presented by Indian Ambassador to the UN, Nambiar)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Rajesh Khanna
American Dream Award – Sheeraz from Tinseltown

Best Director: Raju Hirani –Munnabhai MBBS

Best Film: Kal Ho Na Ho- Yash Johar

Best Actor: Hritik Roshan-Koi Mil Gaya

Best Actress: Urmila Matonkar -Bhoot

Best Supporting Actor: Arshad Warsi – Munnabhai MBBS

Best Supporting Actress: Rekha – Koi Mil Gaya

Best Actor - Critics: Hritik Roshan – Koi Mil Gaya

Best Actress - Critics: Kareena Kapoor - Chameli

Best Actor - Sensational Role: Sanjay Dutt – Munnabhai MBBS

Best Actress - Sensational Role: Hema Malini - Baaghban

Best Debut Male: John Abraham - Jism

Best Debut Female: Perizaad Zorabian – Jogger’s Park

Best Actor in a Villain's Role: Bipasha Basu - Jism

Best Actor in a Comedian's Role: Paresh Rawal - Hungama

Best Music: Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy – Kal Ho Na Ho

Best Singer - Male: Shankar Mahadevan - Kal Ho Na Ho

Best Singer - Female: Chitra – Koi Mil Gaya

Best Costume Designer: Manish Malhotra – Kal Ho Na Ho

Best Choreography Farah Khan – Koi Mil Gaya

Best Cinematography: Anil Mehta – Kal Ho Na Ho

Best Editing: Sanjay Sankla – Koi Mil Gaya

Best Story: BR Chopra - Baaghban

Best Lyrics: Javed Akhtar – Chalte Chalte

Best Screenplay: Karan Johar- Kal Ho Na Ho

Written by Robeel Haq