Filmfare Awards for 2001: 47th Annual Awards

By Fuad Omar.

On Saturday 16th February 2002, I witnessed what is among the most famous Asian gig in Mumbai: The Filmfare Awards.

This year's Filmfare awards were exciting given that it was a good year for Indian cinema and Asoka, Lagaan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Dil Chahta Hai were all pitted against each other in a difficult award ceremony. The awards took place at Kurli in East Bandra, Mumbai and after weeks of rehearsals the fun began finally last Saturday at the industry's glitziest event.

I arrived by 6pm as the credit card-sized invite prompted as the show had to finish by 10pm given new laws regarding open-air events. Hosts Javed Jaffri and Archana Puran Singh entertained the crowd. When Right Said Fred invaded the stage to warm up the crowd, I was already hot and fighting off mosquitoes.

Towards the event's start time it got crazy with people I had only met once sms-ing and calling me begging for me to get them some VVIP invites and Backstage passes, but since I didn't know them it was no can do. The opening performance saw Arjun Rampal and Diya Mirza make their stage debut with songs from Moksha, Deewanapan and Pyaar Ishq aur Mohabbat. Arjun looked great sporting clothes designed by Shahid Amir and wowed the crowd with his energetic performance which showed he was having a blast. Diya moved like I've never seen her before and oozed confidence, positive attitude and electricity. Either this wasn't her stage debut or the girl has more surprise talents than she realises. She sizzled with Arjun in Satrangi and was one of the show's highlights. Watch for her and Arjun as they rule tomorrow.

Among the other highlights were Akshay's medley with Bipasha Basu which came complete with blowers, leaping dancers and the sexy Bips shaking those hips. Johnny Lever had everyone in splits and Aftab received a warm welcome when he joined his co-star on stage for Aslam Bhai, which was more like a theatrical than a song, performed really well. The downsides were Fardeen and Urmila's less than vibrant performance of Kambakht Ishq, despite a great stage set-up, and brilliant dancers. Also failing to impress was Amisha Patel who worked very hard on her bit but came across as over-ambitious and lacklustre.

The winners of the night were:

• Best Film - Lagaan
• Best Actor Aamir Khan
• Best Actress Kajol for K3G
• Best Director Ashutosh Gowariker for Lagaan

and the Critics Awards went to

• Amitabh Bachchan for Aks and
• Karisma for Zubeidaa.

My main criticism was that only these people got to give acceptance speeches, meaning the presence of others wasn't really supported as they were only allowed to come up and get their awards. Shahrukh appeared wearing a neck collar as he has spondalitis and Feroz Khan gave one of the most confusing speeches ever heard in the history of mankind. Ursula Andress the bathing beauty from Dr. No felicitated Yash Chopra for promoting Switzerland in his films and Gulzar-saab got an achievement award which is long overdue. After the show it was jetting down to the Marriott for Fardeen's afterparty appearance where most award winners turned up (come on, the awards finished at 10pm!!!) and partied way into the night.

The morning after is when I write this piece for Asiangigs and from the performers side they seem to be on cloud nine after their stage debuts, and deservedly so.

On a quieter note, this year was also Khalid Mohammed, noted journalist and personal mentor's final Filmfare as he waves goodbye to the magazine and company to satisfy his creative needs through filmmaking. How this changes the future of Filmfare is a question many are dreading the answer of, because to many Khalid IS Filmfare and to replace such a brilliant writer and editor is not going to be an easy task. Here's wishing Khalid all the luck in the world and hoping for the best.

To let you know of other things, let me move on.

Last year's IIFA in Cape Town, South Africa were brilliant and marked Hrithik's first international performance where he performed a breathtaking medley. It also previewed Lagaan and Kaante. This year's IIFA are all set to take Malaysia by storm and will premiere the much-anticipated Aankhen on April 5th. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Arjun Rampal, Akshay Kumar, Bipasha Basu and Paresh Rawal in what Vipul Shah is calling a 'different' film. I'm getting into the film's music and visited the sets recently where Arjun plays a blind man who is compensated by destiny. Watch for this one - it could just be huge. Also watch for Arjun's clothes and particularly his watch which is a Braille one to suit his character. Sushmita and Arjun look fab and I suppose this newcomer is definitely going to make waves wherever, whenever and however!

I've been asked to find out more about the forthcoming world tour and can reveal a little more details for all those asking. The May show, (which it hasn't been announced where to get tickets from nor the date) will not only bring Hrithik Roshan and Aftab Shivdasani to our shores, but also Arjun Rampal, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor too making it a sure-fire hit. Given the performances we've no w seen from Hrithik, Aftab and Arjun it seems that it could even be one of the UKs most entertaining. Keep checking here for more details on the May extravaganza that even the stars can't wait to start! "I'm REALLY looking forward to it and to meeting my fans," Aftab told me, and undoubtedly we at Asiangigs will be giving you not only exclusive coverage of the event but will even be running competitions which will be in conjunction with the stars' schedules and hope to allow some lucky fans to meet their screen idols too so watch this web site!

As Lagaan gears up for the Oscars, here's wishing the film that's done Indian cinema proud the very best. Whatever happens, Aamir, Ashutosh and the team of the film will return to India heroes. The film has really made my job as a film journalist much easier because whereas I fight to gain the industry the recognition it deserves, I'm gifted with films like Lagaan, Asoka and K3G that make huge waves overseas. Asoka converted many non-Hindi film buffs to Indian cinema and K3G showed how successful it can be. Lagaan being in the final nominees at the Oscars has gained Indian cinema such prestige that the phone hasn't stopped ringing from people who want to know more. In the next twelve months we see much more happening and can look forward to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas which is said to be fantastic and also much more. So keep checking here for the latest Bollywood Updates and interviews in their full uncut format only on Asiangigs...