The Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani-starrer Shershaah walked away with the top honours at the 22nd edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards on Saturday, which saw actors Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon take home acting trophies.
The three-day extravaganza concluded at the Etihad Arena, part of Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and celebrated the best of Hindi films in the last two years.
Produced by Karan Johar, Shershaah won the best film and best direction honours for director Vishnuvaradhan.
Based on the life of Kargil war hero Captain Vikram Batra, the film also won awards in the music category, with the best singer male and female awards going to Jubin Nautiyal and Asees Kaur for Raataan Lambiyan.
The best music direction honour saw a tie between Atrangi Re, by AR Rahman, and Shershaah by Tanishk Bagchi, Jasleen Royal, Javed-Mohsin, Vikram Montrose, B Praak and Jaani.
Anurag Basu was awarded the best original story award for his acclaimed 2020 release Ludo. He dedicated the win to the film’s editor Ajay Sharma, who passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19.
The best adapted story honour was bagged by Kabir Khan and Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for 83, a film based on the 1983 Cricket World Cup triumph of team India under former skipper Kapil Dev, played by Ranveer Singh.
For his role as freedom fighter Udham Singh in Sardar Udham, Vicky Kaushal was adjudged the best actor. The Shoojit Sircar directorial was released on Prime Video to acclaim last year.
In his acceptance speech, Vicky thanked his family, wife Katrina Kaif, Sircar and producer Ronnie Lahiri. He also dedicated his first ever best actor win to the late Irrfan Khan, who was the original choice for the part.
“I want to thank each and everyone from the film, it’s because of them that I am standing here. This is for all the bravehearts who have sacrificed their lives to make India independent,” Vicky said.
“This is my first best actor award, and I want to dedicate it to an actor whom I’ve admired, respected all my life. We lost him too soon… the original choice to play Sardar Udham, late dear Irrfan sahab,” the 34-year-old actor added.
Kriti Sanon was awarded the best actor honour for her performance in Mimi. The Laxman Utekar-directed comedy-drama also saw other acting honours coming its way, including that of Sai Tamhankar for best performance in a supporting role.
Pankaj Tripathi bagged the best supporting actor award for Ludo. When the actor came to receive the award, he was greeted with a rousing applause by fans, some of whom cheered him by calling him Kaleen Bhaiya, the fan favourite character from the web series Mirzapur.
“I don’t need to give any speech. You have given it already with this reception,” Tripathi said to a thundering applause.
Kausar Munir bagged the best lyrics award for the song Lehre Do from Kabir Khan’s 83.
The best debut male award was bagged by Ahan Shetty for the film Tadap. The award was presented to him by his actor father, Suniel Shetty. Actor Sharvari Wagh bagged the best debut award for her film Bunty Aur Babli 2.
The award ceremony was hosted by Salman Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul and saw perfomances by Abhishek Bachchan, Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan and Nora Fatehi, among others.
The event came to a close with a special tribute to music composer-singer Bappi Lahiri by a performance by Shahid Kapoor.
The Jersey star danced on Lahiri’s chartbusters like Yaad aa raha hai tera pyaar, Tamma Tamma, Raat Baaki, I am a Disco Dancer.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tamannaah Bhatia, Lara Dutta, Bobby Deol, Nargis Fakhri, Urvashi Rautela and producer Boney Kapoor were among those present at the ceremony.
