Despite a daylong downpour and somewhat challenging logistics, this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards presented entertaining performances and recognized outstanding achievements.
Often referred to as the "Bollywood Oscars", this annual weekend provides a global platform to celebrate the best of Indian cinema. This 18th Awards celebrations were held at the iconic MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City. The last time IIFA came to America was in April 2014 when the Weekend was hosted in Tampa, Florida.
Below are trailers and videos for the nominees for this year's IIFA Popular Awards for Artistic Excellence (in alphabetical order). WINNERS are highlighted in YELLOW.
If you are new to Bollywood, check out these films!
Best Picture
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (This Heart is Complicated) Following a recent breakup, a woman falls into a friendship with a man who wants to take their relationship to the next level. |
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story The backstory of how coaches, mentors, and friends inspired Mahendra Singh Dhoni to become a master cricketer and team captain. |
WINNER: Neerja Twenty-three-year-old airline purser Neerja Bhanot becomes an international hero after terrorists hijack Pan Am Flight 73 on 5 September 1986. |
Pink After a night on the town that turns violent, three girls are taken to court where they challenge the case against them with the help of a retired lawyer who is dealing with personal problems of his own. |
Sultan After a successful career that ends following a personal tragedy, a middle-aged wrestling champion tries to make a comeback to represent India at the Olympics. |
Best Story
WINNER: Kapoor & Sons Ayesha Devitre Dhillon, Shakun Bhatra |
Neerja Salwayn Quadras |
Pink Ritesh Shah, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Shoojit Sircar |
Best Direction
Karan Johar Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Neeraj Pandey M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
Ram Madhvani Neerja |
WINNER: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury Pink |
Ali Abbas Zafar Sultan |
Best Performance in a Leading Role - Female
Anushka Sharma Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Alia Bhatt Dear Zindagi |
Sonam Kapoor Neerja |
Taapsee Pannu Pink |
WINNER: Alia Bhatt Udta Punjab |
Best Performance in Leading Role - Male
Ranbir Kapoor Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Shah Rukh Khan Fan |
Sushant Singh Rajput M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
Amitabh Bachchan Pink |
Salman Khan Sultan |
WINNER: Shahid Kapoor Udta Punjab |
Best Performance in a Supporting Role - Female
Ratna Pathak Shah Kapoor & Sons |
Disha Patani M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
WINNER: Shabaha Azmi Neerja |
Andrea Tariang Pink |
Richa Chadda Sarbjit |
Best Performance in Supporting Role - Male
Rajkumar Rao Aligarh |
Rajat Kapoor Kapoor & Sons |
Rishi Kapoor Kapoor & Sons |
WINNER: Anupam Kher M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
Amitabh Bachchan Wazir |
Best Performance in a Comic Role
WINNER: Varun Dhawan Dishoom |
Jimmy Shergill Happy Bhag Jayegi |
Rishi Kapoor Kapoor & Sons |
Best Performance in a Negative Role
Shah Rukh Khan Fan |
WINNER: Jim Sarbh Neerja |
Neil Nitin Mukesh Wazir |
Best Music Direction
WINNER: Pritam Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Amaal Malik M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
Amit Trivedi Udta Punjab |
Best Lyrics
WINNER: Amitabh Bhattacharya "Channa Mereya Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Gulzar "Aaave re Hitchki" Mirzya |
Tanvir Ghazi "Tu Chal" Pink |
Best Playback Singer - Female
Tulsi Kumar "Soch Na Sake" Airlift |
Neha Bhasin "Jag Ghoomeya" Sultan |
WINNER: Kanika Kapoor "Da Da Dasse" Udta Punjab |
Best Playback Singer - Male
WINNER: Amit Mishra "Bulleya" Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Arijit Singh "Channa Mereya" Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
Armaan Malik "Besabriyaan" M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story |
Dilijit Dosanjh "Ikk Kudi" Udta Punjab |
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