Warrior epic Bajirao Mastani, its lead stars Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali dominated the 17th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (Iifa) Awards held in Madrid on Saturday night.
Bajirao Mastani scooped three major awards including best film, best actor (male) for Singh and best supporting actress for Chopra.
Padukone won the best actor (female) award for her role in the comedy Piku, although she was nominated for her role as Mastani in Bajirao Mastani as well.
“I want to dedicate this award to everyone who works behind the scenes. Actors walk away with the credit, directors walk away with the credit, producer walk away with the credit ... so, this one is really for writer Juhi [Chaturvedi] and the amazing people who make our performances worthwhile. This is for every technician out there,” Padukone said in her acceptance speech.
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The wins came a day after Bajirao won nine awards in the technical categories at a separate event, Iifa Rocks.
“I am quite overwhelmed by all of this,” the movie’s director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, said.
“I don’t want to thank anyone for this film. I think thank you is just not enough for this film,” he added to applause from the 5,000-strong crowd gathered at Madrid’s IFEMA congress centre for the event.
“Bajirao Mastani” made around 3.5 billion rupees (Dh189 million) according to industry estimates, and it has already picked up a number of Indian film awards this year.
Singh in turn said he learned “how to be singleminded and uncompromising in the pursuit of excellence” by working with Bhansali on the film.
Of course, the biggest cheer for @deepikapadukone comes from @RanveerOfficial. Cuties. #IIFA2016 #IIFAMadrid pic.twitter.com/1TFQeGawbC— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) June 26, 2016
“I hope we will continue to make magic together,” the 30-year-old actor, who impressed audiences in his 2010 debut as a street-smart Delhi wedding planner in the romantic comedy Band Baaja Baaraat.
Chopra, who is riding high after the success of her hit US TV series Quantico, was also honoured with the Woman of the Year title.
“This came as a surprise,” she said, after she accepted the award from her Bajirao Mastani co-star Singh. Chopra also performed a song from the film.
#IIFA2016: @priyankachopra performing her song from #BajiraoMastani #IIFAMadrid pic.twitter.com/UTtls2q13n— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) June 25, 2016
Best Film went to social drama Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Director Kabir Khan lauded the film’s star, Salman Khan for standing beside him "like a rock".
"Thank you Salman Khan for not only giving a brilliant performance ... Thank you for letting me do the film in a way we envisioned it," said Khan.
Earlier in the evening, hosts Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar arrived to the event on donkeys.
The Iifa Awards are held at a different city every year with the Spanish capital playing host this year.
In the opening ceremony Bollywood superstar Hrithik 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.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Best Actor: Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani.
Best Actress: Deepika Padukone for Piku.
Best Film: Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Best Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani.
Best Story: Juhi Chaturvedi for Piku.
Best Supporting Actor: Anil Kapoor for Dil Dhadakne Do.
Best Supporting Actress: Priyanka Chopra for Bajirao Mastani.
Best Comic Actor: Deepak Dobriyal for Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
Best lyrics: Varun Grover for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
Best Playback Singer (male): Papon for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage.
Best Playback singer (female): Monali Thakur for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage.
Best Debut (Male): Vicky Kaushal.
Best Debut (Female): Bhumi Pednekar.
Best Music Direction: Meet Brothers and team for Roy.
Best Jodi of The Year: Athiya Shetty and Sooraj Pancholi.
