“Chak De! India,” a big-hearted minority sports film whose title means ‘come on India,’ was the appropriate winner at the Indian International Film Awards Sunday. The pic about a tarnished (field) hockey player who redeems himself as coach to the Indian women’s team, was named best film, saw helmer Shimit Amin named best director and Shah Rukh Khan elected best actor.
It also shared the screenplay award and scooped best story. In the technical sections it picked up a further two awards for a total of eight on the night.

The only other film that came close to the “Chak De!” total was “Om Shanti Om,” a big budget piece of Bollywood self parody which collected a total of six awards – four in tech categories, one special award for first time thesp Deepika Padukone and another for the lyrics to its title song.

Common factor in the two films is Shah Rukh Khan, who starred in both and who produced “Om Shanti Om.” Ironically, his recently acquired responsibilities as a sports team owner had disrupted his filming schedule and prevented him attending the awards jamboree in Bangkok.

While the superstar, often dubbed ‘the King of Bollywood,’ was missed, Bollywood’s ‘royal family’ Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, were in attendance throughout the three day IIFA celebrations. So too were the large majority of top names Akshay Kumar (named as superstar of the year by the Thai hosts,) comedian Govinder (sic, only one name), Katreena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Vivek Oberoi, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Karan Johar and 2007’s outstanding newcomers, Neil Nitin Mukhesh and Ranbir Kapoor.

The five hour kudosfest was the final highlight of a weekend of events dotted around the Thai capital that ranged from business seminars, consumer press junketing and a high powered fashion show with seven Bollywood and Asian designers.
IIFA weekend also included world preem of “Sarkar Raj,” a political thriller, the first film featuring the ‘royal family’ since the marriage between Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, though it was conceived well before they were officially an item.

“Guru,” a fictionalized biopic about a self-made businessman, which also stars Rai and Abhishek Bachchan scored four wins at the ceremony.

Although the evening was chiefly a celebration of contempo mainstream Bollywood there were lifetime achievement awards for art-house helmer Shyam Benegal, veteran actress Mumtaz (sic, only one name), and a outstanding int’l achievement award to composer AH Rahman (”Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” “Warriors of Heaven and Earth,” “Lagaan”

Also in attendance on the green carpet – environmental themes were pushed to the forefront throughout — were veterans Shabana Azmi, Shyam Benegal, Feroz Khan and execs that included Yash Chopra, Rajesh Sawhney, Amit Khanna and STAR TV’s Laureen Ong.

The ceremony’s bravura scale, color and innovation make the IIFAs one of the most spectacular awards shows on the planet. Between the envelope openings were eight song and dance routines, the appearance of two elephants, a fleet of motorbikes, indoor fireworks and A-listers who descended on stage from gantries and on skateboard.

Best Actor
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De India

Best Actress
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met

Best Film
Chak De India

Best Director
Shimit Amin - Chak De India

Performance in a Supporting Role (Male)
Irrfan Khan - Life In A… Metro

Performance in a Supporting Role (Female)
Konkona Sen Sharma - Life In A… Metro

Performance in a Comic Role
Govinda - Partner

Performance in a Negative Role
Viveik Oberoi - Shootout At Lokhandwala

Music Director
A.R. Rahman - Barso Re Barso Re (Guru)

Best Story
Jaideep Sahni - Chak De India

Lyrics
Javed Akhtar - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)

Playback Singer (Male)
Shaan - Jabse Tere Naina (Saawariya)

Playback Singer (Female)
Shreya Ghoshal - Barso Re (Guru)

Achievement in Indian Cinema
Mumtaz

Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema
Shyam Benegal

Outstanding Contribution by an Indian in International Cinema
A. R. Rahman

STYLE IDEA AWARDS
Abhishek Bachchan
Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh were also awarded special awards