MPEROR ROCKS ON
`Jodhaa Akbar' Bags 5 Idea Filmfare Awards, `Rock On' 6
TEAM TOI
Mumbai: A series of breezy one-liners turned the 54th Idea Filmfare
Awards 2008 into a laugh riot. The function, which was held at the YRF
Studio in Andheri on Saturday night, was packed out with the A-listers
of the film fraternity as well as a set of new and emerging actors and
technicians who were making their debut this year and were rewarded
for it. The plush red carpet was a veritable fashion parade of desi
and foreign designer wear.
From the moment they walked the red carpet, Farhan Akhtar and
Arjun Rampal seemed sure they would sweep the awards
for Rock On!, with Arjun even putting a figure of ten. As the night
progressed, the magic of the film unfolded by the degree. Rock On!
swept six awards, and the runners-up were Jodhaa Akbar and Imran
Khan's debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. A nice twist was the small
Abhay Deol starrer Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, which whistled its way to
several wins.
Rock On's sweep was halted in its tracks by the sudden emergence
of the period romance Jodhaa Akbar, which won Best Actor for Hrithik
Roshan (director Ashutosh Gowarikar collected it on his behalf) as
well as Best Film and Best Director for Gowarikar. The Best Actress
trophy went to Priyanka Chopra for Fashion, which took even director
Madhur Bhandarkar by surprise.
The tone of the evening was set by Farhan Akhtar's mind-blowing
rock ensemble act with Ehassan and Loy, which quelled the
disappointment that Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan were not hosting
the show this year with their wicked humour. The two actors were
seated in the audience this time.
Maestro Rahman steals the show
Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan wore a "cool sling'' post his shoulder surgery,
while Saif Ali Khan took the stage with partner Kareena Kapoor to hand
out the jury award at the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards night.
Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor were touted as the youngest-ever
hosts in the 54-year-old history of the Filmfare Awards. Much to the
delight of the audience, the two 20-somethings took forward the parody
of the gay couple played by the erstwhile Khan comperes. Apart from
witty one-liners, a bare-chested Imran in true Ghajini style, wrote
out the awards on his body while Ranbir did an impression of SRK in
Rab Ne Dana Di Jodi. The connect with the audience was instant and
warm, and as Shabana Azmi said, "gladdened the hearts of the people''.
The other hosts for the evening were Konkona Sen and Deepika
Padukone (whom SRK affectionately called `Koko' and `Deepu') and Karan
Johar sans his Koffee and hamper. Shah Rukh introduced the six
children who played important roles in the Oscar-winning Slumdog
Millionaire. The kids were equally excited to be felicitated on home
turf with one of them, Tanay Chheda, even saying fetchingly that it
meant more to him than the Oscars.
In fact, the victory lap at the Oscars continued from Los Angeles
to Andheri, and surfaced throughout the awards function. The audience
rose to its feet when composer A R Rahman, in a trademark black suit,
stepped on stage to pick up his prize for Best Background Score. Om
Puri received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Amitabh Bachchan.
