This year, at the behest of the Assam government, Filmfare moved the venue of its main awards to Guwahati. The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai, Guwahati was all decked up to receive Hindi film royalty. A huge line-up comprising Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal and Kartik Aaryan flew in as performers. While Govinda was honoured with a special award for Excellence In Acting, veteran director
Ramesh Sippy was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The hysteria created by fans upon glimpsing their favourite stars reverberated in the air. In fact, the applause and cheer could be similar to the frenzy witnessed had the Indian cricket team played at the stadium...
As mentioned earlier, Ramesh Sippy was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The audience stood up as one when Akshay Kumar and the Honourable CM of Assam, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, presented the award to him. Sippy commands tremendous respect for his Sholay (1975), which some say is the greatest Hindi film ever made. He has also directed hits like Andaz (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Shaan (1980) and Shakti (1982), before carving a fine career in the TV industry. Sippy was visibly overcome by the gesture and so was wife Kiran Juneja, who couldn't hold back tears of joy.
Gully Boy won 10 awards that night in Assam. Coupled with the three it had won earlier in Mumbai, the tally went to 13. It broke the records of heavyweight films such as Mughal-E-Azam and Black. Team Gully Boy, comprising Ranveer Singh (Best Actor - Male), Alia Bhatt (Best Actor - Female) Amruta Subhash (Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Female), and Siddhant Chaturvedi (Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Male) took to the stage to receive the trophy for the Best Film on behalf of the absent producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
Ranveer was in such high spirits backstage that he mock-kissed Ayushmann Khurrana on the lips, saying he was doing his bit to make sure the latter's Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan becomes a hit. He also shook a leg backstage with Ayushmann and Bhumi Pednekar on the song Arey pyar kar le from the former's film. Ranveer got emotional during his acceptance speech as he was missing wife Deepika Padukone. He said he had won an award (Padmaavat) after their marriage and it was a privilege receiving the trophy from her. He likened Deepika to Goddess Lakshmi, saying she has showered good fortune on him. He then rapped the Apna time aayega song from Gully Boy much to everyone's delight.
Earlier Ranveer had brought the house down with his performance. He danced to a medley of RD Burman hits. He was joined by his Gully Boy co-star Siddhant Chaturvedi. The duo danced to Aa dekhein zara and made the audience jive with them. He also shook a leg with Vicky Kaushal when the latter serenaded the Best Films down the years. When he caught sight of veteran Paintal, Ranveer touched his feet as a mark of respect. Paintal was touched by the gesture. The two chatted animatedly for a while.
Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar were our hosts for the evening and kept the show flowing with their wit.
Varun had an emotional moment with Govinda. As is known, Varun's father and director David Dhawan and Govinda have given many a hit together. Upon espying the senior actor, Varun ran up to him and touched his feet. Govinda danced with Vicky Kaushal as well while receiving his trophy, his trademark moves sent the crowd in raptures. He thanked his late mother, Nirmala Devi, in his acceptance speech. The actor's happiness was infectious. He even danced off-stage while getting his photograph clicked.
Akshay Kumar set our patriotic sentiments ablaze with a heartfelt performance on Mitti from Kesari. Later, he wore a skirt dancing to Laal ghagra from Good Newwz. The actor's gig, starring him and Vicky, responding to KJo's questions was a laugh riot. He raced ahead and almost jumped on Karan to answer the last question and win the round. He also twirked enthusiastically in Vicky's company. Who says he's 50 plus? Madhuri Dixit-Nene proved to be another crowd favourite. She had the masses mesmerised as she paid tribute to iconic dance numbers down the years. She presented Ranveer with his trophy and the actor bowed down to touch her feet.
Ayushmann Khurrana wowed all with his take on various iconic movie characters down the years. Jitendra Kumar, who plays the actor's love interest in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, cheered enthusiastically. Getting emotional in his acceptance speech, Ayushmann thanked wife Tahira Kashyap for being there for him throughout. Kartik Aaryan entered on a cruiser for his act. The crowd went berserk watching the millennial star. He sat by rumoured ladylove Ananya Panday and took hold of her Best Debut trophy, refusing to let go of it, leading to some amusing moments between Ananya, her mom Bhavana Panday and him.
Bhumi, Ananya's co-star from Pati Patni Aur Woh, sat with the beaming debutante. Bhumi hobnobbed with her Saand Ki Aankh co-star Taapsee Pannu as well. Both won the Best Actress Critics' Award for their bravura performances in the film and were inseparable. Bhumi even called out to Taapsee when she was taking a group photo with other winners.
Abhimanyu Dassani won the Best Debut (Male) trophy for his performance in the quirky comedy Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. It was presented to him by his mother Bhagyashree. The former actress had taken the Black Lady home 30 years ago by making a sensational debut with Maine Pyar Kiya. Life truly comes full circle.
We appreciate the dedication of the Assam police in ensuring the smooth flow of the event. It was an awesome evening indeed in Awesome Assam and here's to more such nights down the years...
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