This year's Zee Cine Awards held in Macau on Saturday belonged to Vidya Balan and her bold film The Dirty Picture.
It won all the major awards including the Best Film (Jury), Best Actress (Jury and Popular), Best Choreography and Best Dialogues.
"I owe my entire performance to Milan [Luthria, director] without whom I couldn't have taken a single step. I told him I was a child who didn't know how to walk and that he would have to teach me. He held my hand throughout," said a visibly excited Balan. Clad in a resplendent orange silk sari, it was a double delight for Balan as she got a nod from both the jury as well as the masses, who voted her in an online poll. Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar also gave stiff competition and won several awards, including Best Actor (Popular) for Ranbir Kapoor as the singer Jordan, Best Director (Jury) and Best Music for A.R. Rahman.
"Sadda Haq (Cry Of Victory). Thank you Macau, Zee and Shah Rukh Khan for letting someone else win" hollered Ranbir Kapoor as he accepted his award. He dedicated the Best Actor trophy to his parents Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor. The spotlight was also on Shah Rukh Khan, who won the Best Actor Award (Jury) for his suave villain act in Don 2.
"First of all I want to thank Farhan Akthar and Ritesh Sidhwani. I have done 70 films in my career so far. But I have never been happier working on a film. Thank you so much," said Khan.
While Zoya Akhtar bagged the Best Director Award (Popular) for her film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, her brother Farhan, took home the Best Supporting Actor (Male) for the same film. He also won the International Icon Of The Year Award.
"I don't know if a boy from Bandra can handle two awards in one night. I will try my best and I am going total mental here. This would not have been possible without the contribution of my amazing co-actors Hrithik [Roshan] and Abhay [Deol]. Thank you," said Akhtar.
Rockstar director Imtiaz Ali, who emerged a strong winner, said: "You feel like a postman who has come to collect an award. It's my crew who has made this film and it belongs to them."
Meanwhile, the technical awards went mostly to Shah Rukh Khan-starrer RA.One.
It was not all business at the Bollywood awards extravaganza. Khan and Priyanka Chopra played bitter-sweet hosts as they mercilessly poked fun at all the blockbusters that have been nominated in the Zee Cine Awards category. They kicked off the show by taking a swipe at Khan's arch rival's smash hit Bodyguard. Chopra as the buffed-up Salman Khan painted a fetching picture. However, it was their spoof on The Dirty Picture that evoked maximum reactions — Chopra in a fat bodysuit, while Khan dressed up as the ageing-superstar Naseeruddin Shah.
"Silk, you have wowed the entire industry with your incredible weight of your performance … you have made fat rather than fit as a trend," said Khan in Hindi. They even got a thumbs up from Balan, who blew them air kisses from the audience, for their endearing replication. Akhtar, who hosted a segment of the show, took it upon himself to make fun of his sister's flick Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
"This bull has more expressions than some of the actors in my film," said Akhtar as actor Chunky Pandey came dressed in a "bull-suit".
They even christened him Bullbul Pandey, alluding to Dabangg character Chulbul Pandey.
The night also belonged to Ranbir Kapoor. "Ranbir lost his virginity here … on stage," said Khan, referring to his maiden dance show at an awards function. It was nothing short of spectacular. As far as dramatic entries go, he made his appearance in a black cape, like a superhero, landing straight in the middle of the audience. Just like his character Jordan in Rockstar, Kapoor had a guitar strapped to him and an expression of intense pain throughout the gig.
However, the heat was cranked up when Bollywood scorcher Katrina Kaif made her entry. Her scintillating act included hip thrusts done at lightning speed and jumping atop human pyramids. Dancer-turned-actor Shahid Kapoor's high-energy performance was another highlight. "How are you Macau… I want you guys to dance with me," hollered Kapoor as he managed to get the crowd on their feet.
The five-hour spectacle was as vibrant as the casinos studding Macau.
Even the stage had a backdrop that replicated the nightlife of this city.
"Macau — you have been a wonderful audience. Love you all," said Khan as he took a bow along with the rest of his crew.
"When I got the jury award, I was over the moon. To Naseer saab [Naseeruddin Shah], without whose support I couldn't have done this. It's a double whammy — I really believe that my twin nephews are responsible for getting two awards in one night."
— Vidya Balan for Best Actress (Popular) award.
"Thank you so much, it was flattering enough to be nominated with two of my favourite people — my brother Farhan [Akhtar, Don 2] and my buddy Imtiaz [Ali, Rockstar]. Winning this has made my evening supreme. Thank you my genius crew for making me look smart."
— Zoya Akhtar for Best Film (Popular)
"I thought I was getting diamonds too. Thank you Rohan for choosing me for this film. I want to thank my producers at Fox, Ramesh Sippy, Bipasha Basu, Abhishek Bachchan, Prateik who all made it such a fine experience."
— Rana Dugabatti for Dum Maaro Dum
Quote Unquote
"Thank you Salman for giving me an opportunity to direct my first film in Hindi."
— Siddique, Best Director for Bodyguard
"Picture ka ek hi hero hotha hai [there is only one hero in a film] — its director - that is a dialogue from this film and I think it holds good for this one … Dad [Jitendra], thank you for being my dad."
— Ekta Kapoor, Best Film The Dirty Picture
Don't miss it
Watch the telecast of Zee Cine Awards 2012 on February 10.
