In a city that never sleeps, the Metlife Stadium came alive with the IIFA Awards celebration here on Saturday night, with Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt becoming proud winners of the Best Actor trophies for their remarkable work in "Udta Punjab".
Given that it came for a film which was mired in controversy with the censor board over its theme and content, made the success sweeter for the stars -- even Diljit Dosanjh walked away with the Best Debutante - Male Actor for his performance in the film.
All three of them were emotional about winning the award for a film which let mainstream performers take up something risky.
@IIFA đ pic.twitter.com/b8ROwChARI
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) July 16, 2017
In a league of her own! The scintillating @aliaa08 awarded by her partner in movies and crime @Varun_dvn! #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/4jE6iIcdrM
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
The world is his stage and he conquers it like a king! @BeingSalmanKhan's performance is truly worth the wait always! #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/8ZegR8CL7C
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
He puts the 'act' in actor! @shahidkapoor in all his glory! #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/JPGZAKar9l
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
The Best Picture honour went to Sonam Kapoor starrer "Neerja", based on the real life story of Neerja Bhanot, an air hostess who lost her life while trying to save others on a hijacked flight at Karachi. Actor Jim Sarbh won the Best Performance in a Negative role for his act in the movie.
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury walked away with the Best Direction award for "Pink", a hard-hitting drama which put forth the message that when a woman says no, it is a no.
Actress Taapsee Pannu, who played a pivotal role in "Pink", was named the Woman Of The Year, while music maestro A.R. Rahman was given a Special Award in recognition of his contribution to film music since 25 years at the event, which was largely attended by the NRI commnity here.
When two style icons come together, this is what happens! #IIFA2017 @karanjohar @TheShilpaShetty pic.twitter.com/PnM5dWv1hh
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
She came, she danced and she conquered! The celebrations take a high each time the stunner #KatrinaKaif performs. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/AqD0k5YX33
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Shinning bright like a diamond @DishPatani at the #IIFA2017 stage! pic.twitter.com/bBjWLd4aIB
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
A true rockstar that he is! @Varun_dvn left us all at the edge of our seats with his extraordinary performance. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/5woPAb3vHd
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Rock and Roll! What's old is new again with the dazzling duo @itsSSR and @kritisanon at the #IIFA2017. What performance! pic.twitter.com/xRbvaytKxZ
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
.@aliaa08 magnificent Bhatt brought the house down with her magnificent performance! #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/9JRCPtRmZe
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Rahman sang two lines from "Maa tujhe salaam" much to the delight of the audience on the final day of the 18th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, an annual celebration of Hindi cinema at a foreign location.
In the Best Supporting Actor category, Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher were honoured for 'Neerja" and "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story"; Varun Dhawan was lauded for his comic timing in "Dishoom"; and Disha Patani was encouraged with an award for her debut movie "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story".
The music category saw Pritam winning the Best Music Direction for "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", and Amitabh Bhattacharya bagging the Best Lyrics accolade for "Channa mereya".
Had a wonderful time at @IIFA .. With @BeingSalmanKhan ,@SunielVShetty ,@Riteishd ,@AnilKapoor @arrahman @Kailashkher .. pic.twitter.com/GLRozP2CHN
— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) July 16, 2017
@IIFA BEST Debut Actor For #UdtaPunjab đ #LoveMyFans Guys This is All Because of You đđđ Thx Team Iifa & UdtaPunjab đđ #Abishekchaubeybhaji pic.twitter.com/93e1V7x5aB
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) July 16, 2017
Among the singers, Kanika Kapoor's "Da da dase" and Tulsi Kumar "Soch na sake" shared the award in the female category, while Amit Mishra won it in the men's category.
As hosts, Karan Johar and Saif Ali Khan attempted to keep the humour alive, but beyond a point, the crowd wasn't very engaged and booed them in between.
The performances by Alia, Katrina Kaif, Shahid, Varun, Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon and Salman kept the pace of the event going.
"Raabta" actors Sushant and Kriti performed on retro tracks, while Varun paid a tribute to his father David Dhawan by grooving to his chartbusters.
IIFA, a celebration of Hindi film and music, takes place every year in a new country. The idea is to spread the magic and promote 'Indian cinema".
Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Male - @shahidkapoor for Udta Punjab. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/TUYYnaJ7do
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Our Woman Of The Year is the definition of elegance and poise! #IIFA2017 @taapsee pic.twitter.com/w1lDFYRA5I
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
So proud of @WizcraftIndia for bringing India to the World. @IIFA #IFFA2017 pic.twitter.com/MU6BfXBJGw
— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) July 16, 2017
Award for Best Director - Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury for Pink. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/1xDoISHqBy
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Award for Best performance in a Supporting Role - Female - @AzmiShabana for Neerja. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/elpLcRPaZq
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Best Performance in a Supporting Role Male - @AnupamPkher for M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/bo3ETMn3Ih
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Ace musician @arrahman awarded for his 25 years of musical contribution. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/arWnayUGZ8
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Ace musician @arrahman awarded for his 25 years of musical contribution. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/arWnayUGZ8
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Award for Best Debutant - Male - @diljitdosanjh for Udta Punjab. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/rfxB1AkzRl
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
Award for Best Female Playback Singer - @TheKanikakapoor for Udta Punjab. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/PKwOjRbd68
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
The elegant @TheShilpaShetty looks like a masterpiece at the #IIFA2017 green carpet. pic.twitter.com/kkv8Buo8vM
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
In complete awe of this sizzling and stylish duo! #IIFA2017 green carpet. pic.twitter.com/Vt9ZU99ynZ
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017
