Frieda Pinto, who was honoured with the International Icon Of The Year award at the 17th International Indian Film Academy Awards in Madrid yesterday, had a strange request to the media manning the green carpet.
Ask questions that go beyond her fashion choices and her shoes.
Her wish was granted as stars including Shahid Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri and Lara Dutta attending Iifa Rocks, an awards night to celebrate technical excellence, were game to speak about varying subjects including censorship against Indian films and about the liberty to make creative choices.
Kapoor, who was riding high after the success of his controversial drug drama Udta Punjab, took the opportunity to talk up his fans for supporting him.
“We were really scared before the film came out, honestly. But we also know, we would not have attempted a film like Udta Punjab if there was no conviction and belief to carry it through … I was aware it wouldn’t be an easy film to put out there,” said Kapoor to reporters. But he is now a happy man.
“The conflicts that we went through before the film eventually helped the film. A lot of people came out and supported it strongly. And that was such a huge part of what Udta Punjab was trying to do … talk about issues plaguing the society. The film got leaked two days before but we still had people going into the theatres,” said Kapoor.
For actress Dutta, it was the prospect of choosing different kinds of roles that was giving her a creative high.
“It has been fun to do diverse films such as Singh Is Bliing and Azhar and Fitoor. I think I feel liberated as there is not any pressure to look a certain way and do certain roles. It is time for some fun. I am ageing and I am loving it,” said Dutta, who walked on the green carpet with her tennis player husband Mahesh Bhupathi.
Pinto chose to spread awareness about eco-friendliness and spoke about how she manages to do her bit in her daily life.
“I always switch off lights and I never use the printer and waste paper unless I absolutely need to,” said Pinto, when asked about the symbolic green carpet that she was walking on.
Director Zoya Akhtar, who put Spain on the Bollywood map with her hit films Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do, spoke about the censorship against Hindi films by the Central Board of Film Certification.
“It [CBFC] is not a censor board. Just certify our films, don’t censor it. If you want to call it an adult movie, then call it one and restrict the audience that can come and watch it,” said Akhtar.
Anil was a proud father that evening. The trailer for his son Harshvardhan Kapoor’s first film was launched at this year’s Iifas.
“The world recognises talent. Even if you are a star son, but you are not good, you will be rejected. But I have been hearing great things about the trailer and I will be giving Harsh a feedback,” Anil said.
Meanwhile, Fakhri, who has been missing from the promotions of her latest film and battling rumours about a break-up, said she’s now on a new project.
“I am working on myself and working towards being a better human being,” Fakhri said.
