There were no surprises with the big winner at the 17th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (Iifa) held in Madrid on Saturday night: Warrior epic Bajirao Mastani killed it.
It scooped major awards including best director (Sanjay Leeela Bhansali), best actor (Ranveer Singh) and best supporting actress (Priyanka Chopra).
Best film went to Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
While the winners were predictable and the tardiness not uncommon (the show began at 10.25pm, two hours later than the scheduled time), the ceremony was a dazzling spectacle filled with dance performances and memorable moments.
Priyanka Chopra at her feisty best
While accepting the Woman of the Year title, the Quantico star was endearingly honest.
“I won’t lie to you. It’s difficult to travel to another country and prove your worth. People expect you to be something different, so to stand your own ground and not to accept anything less than what I am used to in the Hindi film industry is not easy,” said Chopra. She added that the past twelve months have been overwhelming.
“But I will still turn around and say it’s about one per cent of what Indian actors deserve in this world. We have always been pushed, put into a box and told that we can only act in a certain way. We can only speak like how Appu speaks in The Simpsons. It’s not true,” Chopra said.
If that embrace of her cultural identity didn’t make you beam with pride, she added that her experience in the Hindi film industry helped her build her acting skills.
“We are actors and we are from one of the most prolific film industries in the world. So I will stand my ground no matter where I go. I thank every director I have worked with in the last 15 years and who prepared me to go to any country, be in front of the camera and helped me [understand] my job. You made me the woman of the year.”
Ranveeer Singh doles out life lessons
Singh may have won the best actor award, but he wasn’t accomplished enough to act like his co-star Deepika Padukone was just a friend.
He wore his heart on his sleeve as he lifted the trophy for Bajirao Mastani.
“My Leela to my Ram, Mastani to my Bajirao, I wonder what you are going to be next. Girl, you so fine. And by fine, I mean what a fine performer. Nothing makes me happier than winning this award with you. I hope you win the award for Piku,” Singh said. A few minutes earlier, Padukone performed to a song from Bajirao and mouthed “this is for you” to Singh, seated in the audience.
Singh was also happy to dole out some life lessons he learnt from his mentor and guide, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
“Things that I have learnt from Sanjay Leela Bhansali: How to be single-minded and uncompromising in your pursuit of excellence; to be in love with what you do; to revel in the process because the process itself is the prize and you are all-in always. I hope we continue to make magic together,” he said.
Deepika Padukone takes on a worthy cause
It was a brand endorsement for a top sports company, but you have to give it to Deepika Padukone for selling it well. Weaving in a personal story, the Piku star urged everyone to take up at least one sport — because it taught her to handle life.
“Two years ago, I struggled with depression. I almost gave up and I couldn’t find the strength to move on. But I think it was the athlete in me who taught me never to give up. I say it to every boy, girl, man, woman out there: take up one sport. Sports changed my life and it would change yours too,” Padukone said.
“I am not here today as Deepika, the actor. I am here as Deepika, the athlete. When I was growing up, my father, who is one of the top sportsmen that India has produced, taught me the three Ds — dedication, discipline and determination. He taught me to follow my heart and follow my passion. Sports has taught me to be humble, grounded and taught me to handle failure and success,” she added.
Salman Khan and his devotees
Salman Khan looked in no mood to apologise in public for his “felt like a raped woman” remark made while describing his harrowing Sultan schedule. But that hasn’t diminished his star power. Khan was greeted, rock star-style, with deafening chants of his name. Actors such as Athiya Shetty, Sooraj Pancholi and director Kabir Khan were obsequious as they credited Khan with moulding their lives.
Pancholi even choked up, unable to finish his sentence. Khan was seen beaming like a proud father.
Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra slay it
When Roshan revealed ahead of the awards that his performance would be the toughest act of his life, we took it with a pinch of salt. But Roshan’s spectacular dance ended up being one of the highlights of the night. In the opening performance, Roshan, accompanied by dozens of dancers, performed the flamenco-themed song Senorita from his 2011 film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a road movie shot largely in Spain.
And for the first time, we heard Chopra sing hit Hindi songs from Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela and Don in her own voice. She was raspy, scintillating and spot-on.
Censorship jokes abound
While Iifa 2016 hosts Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor weren’t particularly entertaining, their segment taking a swipe at the Central Board of Film Certification was spot-on. The spoof, in which the CBFC mistakenly bleeps out the wrong words, was hilarious.
Where was Sri Devi?
Sri Devi, who was due to receive the Lifetime Achievement honour at this year’s Iifas, was missing in action. No explanation was given, but Sonakshi Sinha stuck to her brief of paying a tribute to the actress in her dance performance.
