Barfi, Ranbir and Vidya adjudged the best at Filmfare awards

In a milestone year that marks the centenary of Indian cinema, Barfi! walked away with seven honours at the most awaited ceremony of the awards season. At the 58th Idea Filmfare Awards, organized at YRF Studio, Andheri, on Sunday evening, Ranbir Kapoor won the prized Black Lady for best actor for his performance as a deaf-mute person in the film.

Vidya Balan was adjudged best actress for her performance in Kahaani. This was her fourth Filmfare award. In a black-and-white checked Sabyasachi sari and mangalsutra, with husband Siddharth Roy Kapur by her side, Vidya said her role in Kahaani was the couple’s favourite.

Earlier in the evening, as she stepped onto the red carpet, she said she was optimistic about her chances, but also lavished praised on fellow nominee Priyanka Chopra, whose performance in Barfi!, Vidya said, left her spellbound. Both films featured prominently in the top categories: if Barfi! was declared best film, Kahaani’s maker Sujoy Ghosh got to wear the mantle of best director.

Long the darling of the international circuit, Irrfan emerged as the new Khan on the block, bagging the critics’ award for best actor for Paan Singh Tomar. “I have always believed in choosing subjects that appeal to my intellect and any recognition or awards I win are incidental to the creative process,” he said, adding, “If an award can elevate my career to a higher level then it becomes meaningful.” Khan, who wore his arm in a smart blue sling, clarified that it was no fashion statement and he was indeed injured. Ramesh Sippy presented the award for best lyricist to Gulzar, recalling their early films together. “I am missing the one person who is here today and yet absent, Yash Chopra,” the writer said, prompting applause from the audience. The late filmmaker’s absence on his home turf was more keenly felt when Chopra was posthumously awarded for lifetime achievement, an award collected by his wife Pamela.

It was a big night for Pritam, who won two awards for Barfi!, one for music and another for background score. Rajat Podar, who took home the Black Lady for best production design (Barfi!), showed quicksilver wit. “Main lakdi ka kaam karta hoon aur aapne mujhe ladki pakda di,” he said, laughing. Then he turned to director Anurag Basu and recalled how Basu would eat his food and drink his tea on the set.

As Basu looked on nervously, Rajat said, “But this award is something I want to share with you, bro!” Basu smiled back. Pareshaan singer Shalmali Kholgade received the award for best playback (female). Ayushmann Khurrana won in the male category for Pani da Rang. “I wasn’t expecting this. I always thought of myself as an actor who can sing, not a singer who can act,” he said.

Hosts Shah Rukh Khan and Saif returned to the stage this year. SRK ribbed his friend about his marriage to Kareena Kapoor. “Saif is even wearing a mangalsutra, look! It is with great difficulty that I have got him to remove his sindoor!” he said, laughing. And as the long-haired Pritam, who won two awards, was leaving stage, SRK remarked, “Apna shampoo toh batata jata, yaar!” India’s cinematic journey that began with Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra in 1913 earned a fitting tribute from Filmfare in its centenary year with each winner receiving a special gold-rimmed trophy.

SRK led the centenary tribute to Indian cinema with a musical parody. The light-hearted, irreverent act began with hero-heroine perched apart on a tree for fear of the censors’ scissor. Hindi cinema’s preoccupation with the NRI audience was spoofed as well. But it was a proud moment when the song Jai ho! lauded India’s win at the Oscars. Actor Katrina Kaif performed a medley of popular songs. Singer Usha Uthup, looking resplendent in a purple-and-gold sari, revisited her time as a crooner in Kolkata’s nightclubs. The audience loved her medley, which included Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, Gore Gore O Baanke Chhore and One Two Cha Cha Cha!

The title sponsor for the event was Idea and the associate sponsor PC Jeweller. Sony Entertainment Television was telecast partner. The other sponsors were: time partner, Rotary Watches; fashion, Reliance Trends; fortune, Netsurf Communication; travel, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation; technology, Reliance Digital; outdoor, Bright Outdoor; trophy, The Award Gallery; multiplex, Khushi Advertising; beverage, Black Dog; English news channel, Times Now; radio, Radio Mirchi; food, Moveable Feast; music, T-Series. The show was directed by Fountainhead and event management was by Percept.

Oxygen Entertainment was the event consultant.