Kuala Lumpur: Vikas Bahl's coming-of-age drama Queen and Vishal Bhardwaj's insurgency movie Haider, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, on Sunday scooped the major trophies at the 16th IIFA awards, including the best actress honour for Kangana Ranaut and the best actor gong for Shahid Kapoor.
Queen, a middle class girl's self-discovery journey after getting ditched by her fiance, and the Shahid-Shraddha Kapoor starrer Kashmir-set drama took home three honours each.
Shahid, 34, dedicated his award to Vishal for giving him the opportunity and called the film a "scary" one.
"I would like to thank Vishal Bhardwaj for this recognition. A very big thank you to him for believing in me.
"Today, I am standing here because of him. It was a scary film to do because we thought people will never love and understand this film," said the actor, who gave a power-packed performance on the songs of Haider, in his acceptance speech.
Tabu's powerful portrayal of Shahid's mother in the film won her the best supporting actress award while Kay Kay Menon's role of a shrewd politician in the same bagged him the trophy for the best actor in a negative role.
Queen, a Phantom films and Viacom pictures co-produced drama set in Amsterdam and Paris, won the award for best picture and story, (Bahl, Chaitally Parmar and Parvez Shaikh) apart from the best actress trophy.
Anurag Kashyap, one of the honchos of Phantom Films, in a surprising gesture, expressed his love for fellow director Rajkumar Hirani, while receiving the best movie trophy for Queen.
"I don't know what to say. I love you Raju sir (Rajkumar Hirani). I don't know how this film happened and it happened somehow. When we started the film we didn't have any money...," he said.
Hirani won the best director gong for Aamir Khan starrer highly acclaimed PK, a satire on godmen, after beating Bahl (Queen), Vishal (Haider), Abhishek Varman (2 States) and Imtiaz Ali (Highway).
"This film fearlessly talked about religion in the country and I want to thank my father and mother for it. Like Subhash Ghai, I also feel a film is incomplete without the help of technicians and actors," Hirani said.
Deepika Padukone, who was nominated in the best actress category for her stint as a dance teacher in multi-starrer film Happy New Year, took home the woman of the year award.
The 29-year-old actress dedicated the honour to all the women across the globe.
"This award is for millions of women," said the Finding Fanny star, who looked gorgeous in a black and maroon saree.
Bollywood's showman Subhash Ghai was honoured with the prestigious award 'Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema'. It was presented to him by his Ram Lakhan stars Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor.
"I am going through so many emotions right now. I have so many memories. Over the years one learns, rises and falls.
"This is one of the most wonderful evenings for someone like me, to receive so much love and adulation. I have so many stories to share. I think success and awards are a trap. You achieve these for your past work but then you are expected to keep up that work," he said in his acceptance speech.
Riteish Deshmukh-starrer Ek Villain too won three gongs.
The father of one took home the best supporting role for portraying a cold-blooded serial killer in the film and the Mohit Suri-directed thriller won the best playback singing (male) for Ankit Tiwari (Galliyan) and best lyrics.
It was a big night for Riteish, who was accompanied by wife Genelia, as he was also awarded in a new category introduced this time at IIFA, 'Outstanding contribution to a regional film'. The couple's home production, Marathi filmLai Bhaari, won the honour.
"I dedicate my wins to my newly born son. Last year has been an amazing year for me because I played a negative role for the first time. I am lucky that both my stints as hero and villain in Lai Bhaari and Ek Villain were appreciated," Riteish said.
Alia Bhatt-Arjun Kapoor starrer 2 States, which lead the nominations with nine nods, settled with only one award in the best music direction category. Alia's another film Highway and Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika starrer heist dramaHappy New Year came out as the main snubs at the awards despite nominations in key categories.
Heropanti stars Tiger Shroff and Kirti Sanon took home the best debut male and female category respectively.
The best debut director gong was shared by Omung Kumar (Mary Kom) and Sajid Nadiadwala for Kick.
Omung thanked Olmypian boxer Mary Kom for her help in making her biopic, which starred actress Priyanka Chopra in the titular role.
"This is the last award of the season and I never expected that the set which I design will ever climb the stairs to receive an award. Thanks Mary Kom for letting us make a film on you," Omung said, who is also a set designer.
Varun Dhawan won the best actor in a comic role award for his stint as a casanova in his father David Dhawan directedMain Tera Hero. David received the trophy on Varun's behalf owing to the actor's absence from the ceremony.
Courtesy-FirstPost