The IIFA Awards 2002.
IIFA: Asiangigs' Full Coverage
By Fuad Omar
After the Filmfare awards if there's one other award ceremony everyone looks
to it's the IIFA. The International Indian Film Awards 2002 took place last
Saturday at the Genting Highlands Resort with much fanfare and glamour in a
ceremony some described aptly as a 'spectacular spectacular'.
The phrasing referring directly to the lady who stole the show with her
performance of Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend from Moulin Rouge, Sushmita
Sen wowed the audience into rapturous applause in what marked her first
stage performance in two years. Cloaked in an Azeem Merchant outfit and
accompanied by an entourage of dancers, all eyes were on the ex-Miss
Universe when she launched into her homage to the musical.
"We decided to perform the song in an Eastern style with a tabla beat in the
background," she said before the performance. "I enjoy dancing to this
number because for me, it is a tribute to Hollywood and also because Marilyn
Monroe had performed the same number, that was later done by Nicole Kidman
in Moulin Rouge."
Given the manner in which the girl who was offered the role of a Bond girl
in GoldenEye has stormed the international media, appearing regularly across
the world when Indian cinema is celebrated, she replied with a smile when
asked if international cinema fitted into her future.
"Acting in Hollywood? Let's see, maybe my Indian movie experience will take
me there."
The IIFA also premiered her new film Aankhen which stars Amitabh Bachchan,
Arjun Rampal and Akshay Kumar in what's being described as a technical
accomplishment and new type of storytelling with a film about three blind
men trained to rob a bank. When asked about her career and how certain
sections of the press had written her off, she confidently said:
"Well, you know, just today a newspaper carried a report that my career was
almost finished. Let me tell you, I have signed on for the English version
of Mahesh Manjrekar's Astitva, Farah Khan's film with Shah Rukh Khan and
Pankaj Parasher's next, which is based on Basic Instinct."
"I have done ten films and have two big hits to my credit. Yet I am here
only because I do my best at whatever is given to me."
Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gupta, who are partners in the Whitefeather Company
that produced Kaante, were excited about the whole event and revealed why
they chose this year's IIFA to launch the music of their film.
"Kaante is a film that has been inspired by IIFA. When I attended the first
IIFA Awards at the Millennium Dome in London, I was impressed by the
technical finesse used to amplify the creative statement, that Sanjay Dutt
and myself thought of making a film which would embody the same philosophy,"
said Gupta who directs the film.
Sanjay Dutt and Gupta also announced the launch of their second home
production Plan, starring Sanjay, Dino Morea, Bikram Saluja, Rohit Roy and
model Cleo Issac, which is to be directed by Hriday Shetty.
"We have great talents who have made the movie proud. We are in the centre
of a good infrastructure, but lacking in facilities. We are beyond culture.
India is a land with people making great cinema movies," said Shetty.
"I needed four guys from different parts of the country for my movie script.
The roles in this movie has four men and a woman, to make it different from
normal films."
Sanjay Dutt said that since most cast him as an angry man and it works with
the public, he had no intention of changing the formula or switching roles.
"I am still angry in this movie! This movie, which will be shot entirely in
Bombay has a totally different script. Plan is not an English title as there
are many words that cross from English to Hindi."
Rohit Roy compared the look of him and his 'crew' to a pop band with guns
image who were hip and street savvy.
"It's also not a trend to have new actors. In this movie, we are fighting
for the same girl throughout the film. It is also about four guys who want
to make the fast buck. That is what the movie Plan is all about." Roy has
modelled everything a guy has to model for except for underwears and
tobacco.
"I dont smoke though you will catch me smoking in this movie. It is just an
act for an added character."
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan who was awarded the Personality of the Year award
before getting ready for an international tour to promote his new hit movie
Aankhen (which opened to 100% everywhere) felt gracious that he was still
receiving roles and accolades.
"At my age, these are the kind of roles you get. Yet, I guess I have been
fortunate enough to get this job. I am now 60 years old and can't be getting
leading roles, so whenever there are small character roles available, then I
am very happy to do it."
Ever the actor who is full of praise for his peers and marvels at their
energy and how the industry has changed over the past few decades, Mr
Bachchan was humble enough to once more mention the new crowd that are
causing a sensation everywhere.
"I have worked with Arjun Rampal in Aankhen and he's very promising. Hrithik
Roshan is also very talented. My son Abhishek is shaping up pretty good too.
He, like the others, has a lot of talent, and I am not just saying this
because he's my son. I have seen him perform, he has potential."
Lagaan may not have won the Oscar but it swept the IIFA, bagging seven
awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Aamir Khan) and Director
(Ashutosh Gowariker) while Karan Johar's magnum opus Kabhi Khushi Kabhie
Gham scooped the Best Supporting Actress (Jaya Bachchan) and Best Male
Playback singer (You Are My Soniya) as well as six technical awards for Best
Costume Design, Background Score, Art Direction, Make Up, Sound Recording
and Dialogue. The Best Actress Award was given to Tabu for her performance
in Chandni Bar. Despite all the award winners the one star who always steals
the limelight wherever she goes managed to continue the legacy through being
the most magical and memorable part of the event, Sushmita Sen has firmly
made her mark not only on Indian
cinema, but the world.
The IIFA continued its tradition of an evening of glamour and glitz and
celebrated Indian cinema once more in an international arena, hoping to
further create awareness of an industry that has entertains so many the
world over every day.
IIFA Main Awards:
- Best Picture: Lagaan
- Best Direction: Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan)
- Best Actor: Aamir Khan (Lagaan)
- Best Actress: Tabu (Chandni Bar)
- Best Supporting Actor: Saif Ali Khan (Dil Chahta Hai)
- Best Supporting Actress: Jaya Bachan (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham)
- Best Performance in a Comic Role: Govinda (Jodi No.1)
- Best Performance in a Negative Role: Akshay Kumar (Ajnabee)
- Best Music Director: A.R. Rehman (Lagaan)
- Best Story: Ashutosh Gowarikar (Lagaan)
- Best Lyrics: Javed Akhtar (Lagaan)
- Best Male Playback Singer: Sonu Nigam (You Are My Soniya in Kabhi Khushi
Kabhi Gham)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Asha Bhosle (Radha Kaise Na Jale in Lagaan)
Special Awards:
-
Outstanding Indian contribution to international cinema: Director Mira Nair
- Invaluable contribution to Indian cinema:
1) Actress Sadhna
2) Producer Yash Chopra
- Personality of the Year: Amitabh Bachchan
- Best New Faces of the Year: Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, Gracy Singh
1) Actress Sadhna
2) Producer Yash Chopra