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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gestures on the red carpet of the Bollywood Zee Cine Awards at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Image Credit: Reuters

Show begins

The show has begun. Host Akshay Kumar and Sajid Khan on stage. (17.18 Local time)

Hug and smile ambassador

"I am fortunate to be the hug and smile ambassador for India," said Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan, at a press conference to kick off the 12th Zee Cine Awards in Singapore on Friday.

Khan, who made a surprise entry, was answering a question about whether or not he considers himself a cultural icon and ambassador for India.

The actor was one of many Bollywood stars who performed at the star studded evening held at the city state's newest landmark, the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.

"I go to the Arab world, South East Asia and all over the world and there is this common bond about Bollywood and I feel privileged to be part of this industry," he said.

Actors Akshay Kumar and Sajid Khan hosted the evening while Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal and Aishwarya Rai performed.

Nominations for more than 38 categories were announced with blockbuster Dabangg, 2010's highest grosser, leading in the main categories.

Khan, who was joined on stage at the press conference by Puneet Goenka, CEO of Zee Entertainment Limited, the organiser and executives from Marina Bay Sands.

He joked to the attendees about how excited he was to be back in Singapore, and the resort.

"Even the toilets are amazing, they open by themselves. It's like gremlins are in there," he said, drawing much laughter.

The Zee Cine Awards are held in different locations every year, including Dubai in 2004.

Best Actor:

  • Shah Rukh Khan — My Name is Khan
  • Ajay Devgan — Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
  • Akshay Kumar — Housefull
  • Hrithik Roshan — Guzaarish
  • Ranbir Kapoor — Rajneeti 
  • Salman Khan — Dabangg

Best Actress :

  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan — Guzaarish
  • Anushka Sharma — Band Bajaa Baaraat
  • Deepika Padukone — Break Ke Baad
  • Kajol — My Name is Khan
  • Kareena Kapoor — Golmaal 3
  • Katrina Kaif — Rajneeti

Best Director

  • Abhinav Kashyap (Dabangg)
  • Karan Johar (below) (My Name is Khan)
  • Milan Luthria (Once Upon a Time in Mumbai)
  • Prakash Jha (Rajneeti)
  • Sajid Khan (Housefull)
  • Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Guzaarish)

Best film:

  • Dabangg n Golmaal 3
  • My Name is Khan
  • Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
  • Peepli Live
  • Rajneeti

Song of the year:

  • Bin Tere — I Hate Luv Storys
  • Dil To Bacha Hai Ji — Ishqiya
  • Sheila Ki Jawani — Tees Maar Khan
  • Munni Badnaam Hui — Dabangg
  • Pee Loon — Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
  • Sajda — My Name is Khan

Follow tabloid's David Tusing as he rubs shoulders with the best of Bollywood at Zee Cine Awards #GNatZeAwards