Colombo: A comedy satirising the Indian education system walked away with the majority of awards at last night's International Indian Film Academy Awards, overshadowing earlier controversy over the choice of Sri Lanka as a venue.
The Aamir Khan-starrer 3 Idiots, nominated in 14 categories, walked away with awards for best film, acting, script and music.
While Khan was not present, the rest of the cast and crew were on hand to receive their awards including director Kareena Kapoor, who took best actress, Sharman Joshi for best supporting actor and director Raj Kumar Hirani, who picked up gongs for best dialogue, editing, screenplay and story, and best actor in a negative role for Boman Irani.
Irani, an IIFA host, received his award from yesteryear's bad guy Prem Chopra "It's an honour to be receiving an award from the icon who gave me my first award," said Irani.
In between the award-giving, there was plenty of time during the four-hour-plus show for vivacious song-and-dance performances from the likes of Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu, Hrithik Roshan and local favourite Jaqueline Fernandes, who shared the best debut award with Mahie Gill. Male debut of the year went to Jacky Bagnani and Omi Vidya.
Icon Amitabh Bachchan, whose absence has been widely discussed in the media, failed to make an appearance, although he nabbed the award for best actor for his role as a 12-year-old with ageing disorder progeria in Paa.
Other acting awards went to Sanjay Dutt for best actor in a comic role in All The Best, Divya Dutta for best supporting actress and an Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award for J Omprakash.
J Omprakash, who received his "Outstanding contribution" from grandson Hrithik Roshan got a standing ovation: "My era is gone," said the director.
"Now I'm just honoured to be known as Hrithik's grandfather."
CK Murlitharan won best cinematography for the 3 Idiots, while Charles Darby took the visual special effects award for Aladin. The best choreography award - of massive importance in the all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood genre - went to Bosco Caesar for Love Aaj Kal.
Host Sri Lanaka went all out to prove its mettle in hosting the annual event which recognizes the year's best talent in Indian cinema.
Last night, alongside performances from major stars such as Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan, political figures asked that the controversy surrounding the travelling awards show, which has been held in major cities in the past including Dubai, be set aside.
After a comical opening from hosts Ritiesh Deshmukh and Lara Dutta, former Indian Minister Shashi Tharoor took the stage to confirm India's support of the event. "There are some people who would rather we were not here tonight," he said to massive applause.
"We would all want to see the Sri Lankan government give the Tamil people a right of place... in their own country. It is now the film world's turn to build a new bridge to Lanka."
Tamil groups had protested against Colombo as a venue and threatened to boycott films of stars who attend. On Saturday, one group reportedly blocked actor Roshan's film Kites from screening in Chennai.
Roshan captained a Bollywood team against the Sri Lankan national team at a celebrity match.
In Sri Lanka the media have debated the president Mahinda Rajapaksa's decision to host the event, questioning the viability of their indebted economy's investment.
Tourism minister Milinda Moragoda has repeatedly maintained that the USD10 million investment would quickly turn into a USD 250 million return over the next few years thanks to the influence of Bollywood and growing number of travellers from neighbouring India.
Sri Lanka only last year officially announced the end of its almost three decades long struggle against separatist movements.
Bollywood, with its songs and dances, and its increasing number of producers seeking exotic locales, seems like a viable interest generator.
But just like the big question on everyone's minds last night - as to whether icon Amitabh Bachchan, IIFA brand ambassador, would make a much-debated appearance - only time will tell if Sri Lanka's claim as a new tourism hotspot is warranted.
Read a blow-by-blow account of the event:
11.30pm: Kareena Kapoor on stage now, performing some of her hit songs.
Actor Salman Khan was presented the Humanitarian Award by the Sri Lankan goverment. Khan is the brand ambassador for Habitat for Humanity, which is helping rebuild homes in the strive torn northern region of the island nation.
Divya Dutta wins best supporting actress: "This is my first IIFA, I am extremely touched and I feel so good it's in Sri Lanka."
Sharman Joshi has won best supporting actor for 3 Idiots – that's 13 awards out of a possible 14 for the film.
11.10pm: Bikes on stage. Disco balls everywhere. A shirtless biker drives Bipasha Basu in.
Best actor in a comic role - Sanjay Dutt for All the Best. Best actor in a negative role - Boman Irani (3 idiots).
Boman Irani, who won best actor in a negative role from yesteryear's bad man Prem Chopra said; "It's an honour to be receiving an award from the icon who gave me my first award."
Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema - J Omprakash.
J Omprakash, who received his 'Outstanding contribution' from grandson Hrithik Roshan received a standing ovation: "My era is gone," said the director and actor.
"Now I'm just honoured to be known as Hrithik's grandfather."
9.30 pm: Lara Dutta and Ritesh Deskmukh interacting with celeb audience. Heart shaped glittery things coming out on stage.
9.15pm: Debut of the year (female) goes to Sri Lankan Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Crowd goes wild. Mahie Gill shares the award, while debut of the year (male) goes to Jacky Bagnani and Omi Vidya.
So it was no surprise they present an award for Green campaigner of the year - this time going to Vivek Oberoi.
8.45pm: Salman Khan on stage. Crowd goes berserk. He performs song from new film Dabangg. Now he is performing a song from his film Veer joined by co-star Zareen Kahn. Then Anil Kapoor and Govinda joins him on stage. Crowd going mad.
Opening of the IIFA Award nite
Jaqueline Fernandes, Sri Lanka's Bollywood export, just opened the IIFA Awards with about 500 dancers and a song by BNS, the Sri Lankan pop group.
Hosts Ritesh Deshmukh, Boman Irani and Lara Dutta just asked the audience to put on the 3D glasses under their seat, saying they were going to show an Avatar-like clip never before seen. They just showed a clip from 50's Bollywood film 'Avtaar' and said they just made a fool of 5000 people.
Indian member of parliament Shashi Tharoor making a speech. "While our films are colourful, their themes represent some of the best values of India" he says.
“There are some people who would rather we were not here tonight. India had strongly supported the right of the government to act against terrorism.
“We would all want to see the Sri Lankan government give the Tamil people a right of place and acceptance in their own country [huge applause]. It is now the film world's turn to build a new bridge to Lanka.” [referring to Hindu mythological epic Ramayana. More applause.] The awards begin.
CK Murlitharan wins best cinematography for 3 Idiots. Charles Darby wins best special effects (visual) for Aladin. Sabu Cyril for best art design (film not announced). Best choreography, Bosco Caesar for Love Aaj Kal.
Shyam Kaushal wins best action for Kaminey. Anaita Shroff and Dolly Ahluwalia won best costume for Love Aaj Kal. Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till won for best make up for Paa.
Raj Kumar Hirani for best dialogue for 3 Idiots. Raj Kumar Hirani wins best screenplay for 3 Idiots. Raj Kumar Hirani wins best editing for 3 Idiots. He apologies for coming on stage three times consecutively.
Bishwadeep Chatterjee and Nihar Ranjan Samal win best sound recording for 3 Idiots.
Best music director - Pritam for Love Aaj Kal. Best Lyrics - Farhan Kirkire for 3 Idiots. Best playback singer (female) - Kavita Seth for the song 'Ek tal' in Wake Up Sid. Best playback singer (male) - Shaan for the song 'Behti hawa tha' in 3Idiots.
Looks like 3 Idiots is going to go home with a haul!
9pm: The IIFAs are known for their green stace - well, their green carpet at least.
