Moods, moments and victors at IIFA 2014

The star-studded event was attended by top Bollywood and Hollywood stars.

The IIFA Awards 2014 celebrated its 15th year with its award ceremony taking place, as part of the IIFA Weekend, on April 26 in the US. Celebrities such as Kevin Spacey and John Travolta as well as dignitaries from India and the United States descended on the Gulf Coast city this week for the International Indian Film Academy’s awards.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biographical sports drama based on the life of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete who was a national champion runner and an Olympian, led the winners at the awards, which capped four days of events and celebrations aimed at fostering deeper ties between India and the United States.

Besides the awards for Best Picture and Best Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film won the Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male) award for Farhan Akhtar, Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female) to Divya Dutta and Best Story. It also collected a number of technical awards.

The award for Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female) went to Deepika Padukone for Chennai Express, and she was also named Entertainer of the Year.

The four-day event, with an expected worldwide viewership of 800 million, drew tens of thousands of visitors to the area and was expected to generate about $11 million in revenue, organisers said, reported Reuters.

Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan skipped the event, because the event clashed with the voting date in Mumbai, India.

Best moments

Hrithik Roshan joined John Travolta in his most famous dance move. Priyanka Chopra, on the other hand, got John Travolta to break out some Bollywood moves. It was the perfection with which John Travolta performed typical Bollywood dance moves that left everyone amazed.

Hrithik Roshan joined John Travolta in his most famous dance move. Priyanka Chopra, on the other hand, got John Travolta to break out some Bollywood moves. It was the perfection with which John Travolta performed typical Bollywood dance moves that left everyone amazed.

Kevin Spacey surprised the audience as he donned a lungi on stage and danced to the beats of the popular Lungi Dance track along with Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor.

American actor Kevin Spacey clicked a selfie with Priyanka Chopra, Anupam Kher, Ritesh Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi.

IIFA in Tampa Bay allowed for the celebs to take their own photo upon reaching the red carpet. In this photo, Riteish Deshmukh takes a photo, but doesn’t realise Sonakshi Sinha is photobombing it.

Roshan also grooved on stage with singer Mika Singh to Shahid Kapoor’s hit song Agal Bagal from Phata Poster Nikla Hero.

Complete list of winners

Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female) – Deepika Padukone

Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male) – Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female) – Divya Dutta for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Male) – Aditya Roy Kapur for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Best Debut (Male) – Dhanush for Raanjhanaa

Best Debut (Female) – Vaani Kapoor for Shudh Desi Romance

Best Director – Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Best Performance in a Comic Role Arshad Warsi for Jolly LLB

Best Performance in a Negative Role – Rishi Kapoor for D-Day

Best Playback Singer (Female) – Shreya Ghoshal for Sun Raha Hai Na Tu (Aashiqui 2)

Best Playback Singer (Male) – Arijit Singh for Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)

Entertainer of the Year – Deepika Padukone

Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema – Shatrughan Sinha

Outstanding Contribution to International Cinema – John Travolta

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.

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