LAGAAN BAGS TOTAL OF 8 IIFA AWARDS
But many stars fail to attend ceremony

Aamir Khan's first home production, the epic cricket saga 'Lagaan', has swiped the 3rd Annual IIFA (International India Film Academy) Awards - by taking a staggering 8 awards!

The film was awarded the main honor of 'Best Film', its director Ashutosh Gowarikar took 'Best Director' and 'Best Story', Aamir himself was named as 'Best Actor', Asha Bhosle took 'Best Female Playback Singer' for 'Radha Kaisa Na Jale', 'Best Lyrics' award went to Javed Akhtar, A R Rahman was acclaimed for his 'Best Music', and newcomer Gracy Singh was one of the 'Faces of the Year'.

The 'Best Actress' gong went unexpectedly to Tabu for her dramatic performance in 'Chandni Bar', many were hoping Kajol would have won for 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum', but that was not the case.

Sonu Nigam took the title for 'Best Male Playback Singer', for his rendition of 'You Are My Soniya', from 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum'.

The 'Best Comedy Performance' and 'Best Villain' awards went to 'heros' rather than specialized actors, Govinda taking the comic title for 'Jodi No. 1', and Akshay Kumar winning best baddie for 'Ajnabee'.

Jaya Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan were 'Best Supporting Actress' and 'Best Supporting Actor', for 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum' and 'Dil Chahta Hai', respectively.

Along with Gracy Singh, Arjun Rampal and Bipasha Basu were named as 'Faces of the Year'. Amitabh Bachchan received the 'Personality of the Year' award, and Yash Chopra was honored for his 'Invaluable Contribution to Hindi Cinema'. Mira Nair was awarded an IIFA for her 'Outstanding Contribution to Cinema'.

However, the evening was disappointing, as most of the stars were not present to receive the awards themselves. The three big awards, 'Best Actor', 'Best Actress', and 'Best Film were colleted by friends rather than the original recipients.

Highlights of the evening were the dance performances, as Amitabh Bachchan returned to the stage after a long absence, to huge success and applause. His duet with singer Remo Fernandez was greatly appreciated, as was the 'Moulin Rogue' item.

The ceremony this year was held in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS (AND NOMINEES)

BEST PICTURE (Lagaan)
Dil Chahta Hai
Chandni Bar
Gadar - Ek Prem Katha
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum
Lagaan

DIRECTION (Ashutosh Gowarikar - Lagaan)
Anil Sharma (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)
Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai)
Karan Johar (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Madhur Bhandarkar (Chandni Bar)

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (Aamir Khan - Lagaan)
Aamir Khan (Dil Chahta Hai)
Amitabh Bachchan (Aks - The Reflection)
Shah Rukh Khan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Sunny Deol (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE (Tabu - Chandni Bar)
Amisha Patel (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)
Gracy Singh (Lagaan)
Kajol (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Preity Zinta (Dil Chahta Hai)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Saif Ali Khan - DCH)
Akshaye Khanna (Dil Chahta Hai)
Amitabh Bachchan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Hrithik Roshan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Lagaan)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Jaya Bachchan - K3G)
Bipasha Basu (Ajnabee)
Kareena Kapoor (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Madhuri Dixit (Lajja)
Rekha (Lajja)

BEST COMEDIAN (Govinda - Jodi No.1)
Ishaan Nair (Monsoon Wedding)
Johny Lever (Ajnabee)
Johny Lever (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum)
Rajesh Vivek (Lagaan)
Vivek Shauq (Gadar - Ek Prem)

BEST VILLAIN (Akshay Kumar - Ajnabee)
Amrish Puri (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)
Manoj Bajpai (Aks - The Reflection)
Paul Blackthorne (Lagaan)
Suhas Paliskar (Chandni Bar)

MUSIC DIRECTION (A. R. Rahman - Lagaan)
A. R. Rahman (Zubeidaa)
S Shandilya, Jatin-Lalit, A Shrivastav (K3G)
Shankar, Eshaan, Loy (Dil Chahta Hai)
Uttam Singh (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)

BEST STORY (Ashutosh Gowarikar - Lagaan)
Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai)
Karan Johar (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum)
Madhur Bhandarkar (Chandni Bar)
Shaktiman (Gadar - Ek Prem Katha)

LYRICS (Javed Akhtar - 'Radha Kaise Na' - Lagaan)
Late Anand Bakshi - Ud Jaa Kale - (Gadar)
Goldie Behl - Yeh Hawaen - (Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai)
Javed Akhtar - Jane Kyon - (Dil Chahta Hai)
Javed Akhtar - So Gaya Hai - (Zubeidaa)
Sameer - (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum), Title Song
Anil Pandey - (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum), Sooraj Hua

MALE SINGER (Sonu Nigam - 'You Are My' - K3G)
Shrinivas E. (Kaisi Hai Yeh Rut), (Dil Chahta Hai)
Sonu Nigam (Suraj Hua Maddham), (K3G)
Udit Narayan & Ajay (Ud Ja Kaale Kawa), (Gadar)
Udit Narayan (Bole Chudiyan), (K3G)
Udit Narayan (Mitwa), (Lagaan)

FEMALE SINGER (Asha Bhosle - 'Radha' - Lagaan)
Alka Yagnik (Bole Chudiyan), (K3G)
Alka Yagnik (Jaane Kyun), (Dil Chahta Hai)
Alka Yagnik (Suraj Hua Maddham), (K3G)
Lata Mangeshkar (So Gaye Hain), (Zubeidaa)

 

WRITTEN BY ROBEEL HAQ