Historical epic Bajirao Mastani dominates ‘Bollywood Oscars’ but overlooked for best picture
The awards show takes place in a different city outside of India – Madrid this year – in the hope of luring new audiences to the genre.
Indian historical epic swept the “Bollywood Oscars” early Sunday, taking home awards for best director, best supporting actress and best male actor for leading man Ranveer Singh.
The movie, which sees Singh play an 18th-century Maratha warrior, picked up nine other technical awards at the International Indian Film Academy awards, including for choreography and best cinematography.
I don’t want to thank anyone for this film. I think thank you is just not enough for this film
“I am quite overwhelmed by all of this,” the movie’s director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, said as he picked up his prize at the International Film Academy awards being held this year in Spain for the first time.
“I don’t want to thank anyone for this film. I think thank you is just not enough for this film,” he added to applause from the 5,000-strong crowd gathered at Madrid’s IFEMA congress centre for the event.
made around 3.5 billion rupees (US$52 million) according to industry estimates, and it has already picked up a number of Indian film awards this year.
Singh in turn said he learned “how to be single-minded and uncompromising in the pursuit of excellence” by working with Bhansali on the film.
