Deepika, Farhan win Filmfare Best Actor awards
MUMBAI: If there was any fear that India's sporting legends have been forgotten, the 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013 demolished that notion. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the incredibly realistic biopic of sprint champion Milkha Singh, scored three out of the top four awards including best actor, best director and best film.
The picture won a total of six prizes. The star-studded awards ceremony was held at YashRaj Studio in Andheri Friday evening.
Farhan Akhtar outran other nominees in the race for best actor while Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra gained winning position as best director. Deepika Padukone, who was expected to win best actress given she had two nominations, won for Goliyon Ki Raasleela, Ramleela.
Milkha Singh had made the country proud in the 50s and 60s and his revival in 2013 got extremely lucky as well. He was away in his hometown Chandigarh and unable to attend the awards ceremony.
Leading the list of nominations were films that pleased the box office in 2013, even if not all of them made it to the Rs 100-crore club. Chennai Express shared space with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ramleela and Raanjhanaa.
The jury also acknowledged the popularity of Kai Po Che, Aashiqui 2, Lootera, Krrish 3 and the little nugget, The Lunchbox.
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who won for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, recalled his previous walk down the red carpet with Aks. "Winning a Filmfare is such a proud moment.
In fact Amitabh Bachchan had recalled during Aks how he used to join the crowd outside Shanmukhananda Hall in the '60s just to watch the stars arrive for the awards," he said. Amid the widespread praise that Bhaag... has received, the odd critic has questioned actor Farhan Akhtar's capability as well. Mehra said, "I welcome criticism, it is always better than exaggerated praise and points a mirror to your faults."
Javed Akhtar was cheering for son Farhan all the way. "We are here with great hope for Farhan," he said earlier in the evening, as wife Shabana interjected to say, "Farhan has to win, his movie also has to win." "He ran so fast that he has to reach somewhere. My most memorable Filmfare was the one in 1975 when I won three awards. This was the year when both Sholay and Deewar released. When the third award was announced, there was thunderous applause. This year I am happy to cheer for my son."
