If tabloid! were to present an award for most equal distribution of trophies, then that glory would belong to Zee Cine Award 2014, held in Mumbai on February 8. It was a night that belonged to all.
Farhan Akhtar’s biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Chennai Express and director Ayan Mukherjee’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD) took home five awards each that night. While sports drama Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which chronicled the life of an Indian running champion, swept the critics category with wins including Best Actor, Best Film and Best Director, Khan’s romantic comedy Chennai Express won big in the popular categories, chosen by fans through an online poll.
Apart from Khan and his Chennai Express co-star Deepika Padukone taking home Best Actor (Male and Female, popular) and Best Film (popular) trophies, the romantic comedy about a North Indian and South Indian village belle also won the Best Marketed Film Of The Year.
While there was no one dominant film ruling ZCA, there was one lady who couldn’t keep the triumphant grin off her face. With films including YJHD, Chennai Express and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela up for awards, Padukone was on a winning streak, scooping major awards including Best Actress (popular) and Best Film. She was also honoured with the Dhamakedar (“explosive”) Performer Award. Rightly so, since Padukone was up all night the night before the awards, recording a dance spectacle with her Ram Leela hero Ranveer Singh for the awards show (it was aired for for TV viewers on Sunday).
“It’s been a phenomenal year for me. I want to thank all those who made it happen. Right from Race 2 where it all began, to the directors and amazing co-stars who allowed me to give those roles my best shot, I want to thank them all. It’s been the best year of my life,” said Padukone, who raised her gigantic golden Z trophy as a toast.
“To the year that was,” said Padukone. While Khan did a neat job of introducing films that were nominated in the Best Film category, it was his vote of thanks when he took home the Most Influential Bollywood Personality On Social Media award that bowled us over.
“For a guy who’s so reclusive and asocial, it’s ironic that I receive such an award. I promise to be more active on the social media this year and I want to prove to people that I am more friendly than I am in real life,” said Khan, who has posted 6,685 tweets as of Sunday morning and has a whopping 6.83 million twitter followers.
While Khan’s winning speech should be taken with a pinch of salt, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag director-actor duo Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar were at their earnest best.
“I was the wire and Milkha Singh was the electricity passing that role,” said Mehra. The director and Akhtar had jogged on stage in slow motion as they were called upon to receive the Best Film, Best Direction and Best Actor trophy (Critic).
“Milkha Singh was 12 years old when he witnessed the massacre of his village and family. He rose from that position without any shelter or support from parents. He ran 77 races in his life and was an incredible inspiration. I am just a tool to tell that incredible story,” said Mehra, oscillating between Hindi and English. His hero in his biopic chose to reveal an interesting snippet.
“When I met Milkha Singh in Chandigarh, he gave me his shoes that he wore during his win in Rome Olympics,” said Akhtar. “I had those shoes … just imagine. But I will always remember Milkhaji calling it a modern classic. It felt incredibly special.”
Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who expressed her disappointment at her period drama Lootera not featuring prominently enough in Bollywood’s awards season, felt validated at ZCA. She took home the Best Actress (Critics) for her role as Paaki, scion of a fading aristocracy.
“Was it my name? I cannot believe that I have won this award. Are you all sure?” said Sinha. To which the jolly hosts of the evening, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmkh, retorted: “At 3am, we are always sure.”
Shudhi Desi Romance heroine Vaani Kapoor, who was nursing an injured leg, dedicated her Best Actor Debut (Female) to the days where she struggled to get a good role.
“After all those photos being rejected and having sleepless nights whether I will get a role in Bollywood or not, holding this in my hand feels spectacular. I want to thank the entire cast and crew of Shuddh Desi Romance, the audience and the industry for welcoming me with such warmth,” said Kapoor.
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, who was honoured with International Icon Of The Year (male), said his win underlined that Bollywood isn’t a clannish industry and that talent trumps connections.
“My dream is to sing Hindustani songs and make the world sit up and take notice. Whoever said that Bollywood doesn’t promote new talent, they are wrong. I am a standing proof,” said Singh.
Actress Priyanka Chopra, who was honoured with International Icon Of The Year (Female) for her foray into pop music, called it a “special award”.
“It’s all new to me and it’s too early to be given such an award. Thank you my team Natty [her publicist] for being there for me. This one is for my mum and dad too, who saw me through my beginning of my career to this stage,” said Chopra.
Director Farah Khan, who was honoured with the Stree Samman [Woman Power], declared that she would embark on small speech — even if it was 2am by that point.
“Getting an award like this is a double bonanza. They say, behind every successful man there’s a woman. In my case, there has to be many men who have supported me all my life. I want to thank my father who never differentiated between Sajid [her brother] and me. I also want to thank my husband Shirish for never trying to change me … Thank you Shah Rukh for not treating me any differently while I am directing you,” said Khan.
Novelist Chetan Bhagat, who won Best Story for Kai Po Che, thanked all the viewers who voted for him.
“These are popular award and we had Dhoom 3, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani in competition. So it’s been a tough year but we made it. But I have to tell you that it’s funny to win a screenplay award because we didn’t have a full screenplay — even a month into filming,” said Bhagat.
The credit for most endearing acceptance speech had to be given to director Ayaan Mukherjee who won Best Director (Popular).
“I feel guilty in accepting this award because there have been incredible films this year. I was up against great films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, so I take this award on behalf of all those filmmakers who made some great movies. More power to us,” said Mukherjee.
Sleeper hit Aashiqui 2, a tale of an alcoholic rockstar and a Bollywood playback singer, scooped four awards in the music category, including Best Lyrics and Best Song.
“I am not a poet. But one afternoon in my studio, director Mohit Suri just asked me to write a song about love that could completely destroy the couple. Usually, songs in Bollywood are all about love and compatibility,” said Mithoon, who wrote the hit song Tum Hi Ho.
