Here's all that happened at the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards Curtain Raiser

by | April 3, 2020, 13:05 IST

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Here's all that happened at the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards Curtain Raiser

In a departure from tradition, Filmfare winners in the technical categories and the Short Film Award winners were presented the Black Lady on the same evening the nominations of the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020 were announced at the J.W. Mariott, Juhu in Mumbai. There was much excitement around, as is the case when you tread on new territory. The event saw the spirit of fellowship in the industry emerge as the stars made sure to come and applaud the behind-the-scenes talents, who help them shine on screen. There was much laughter, much energy and much camaraderie on a night brimming with winners and nominees. Presenting excerpts from the happenings of the emotion-filled event...


Technical Awards

As said earlier, this year the technical awards were given out on the nomination night. Our winners in the technical category were the centre of attention and their ear-to-ear smiles were proof of that. Editor Shivkumar V Panicker, who won the award for Uri: The Surgical Strike, was excited beyond measure. He had a hard time standing still while posing for the photos. He confided that had he known he was winning; he wouldn't have been ‘four beers down'. High spirits indeed!  Twins Divvya Gambhir and Niddhi Gambhir, who won the award for Best Costume for Sonchiriya, shrieked like teenagers when their names were announced. They said it was a challenge to source authentic clothes for the period film. They felt rewarded as their hard work had paid off. 


Technical Awards

Sherry Bharda, who won the Best VFX Award for War, along with Vishal Anand panicked for a moment when she realised, she had left her phone and clutch on her seat before coming backstage. Hearing this, Vishal, like a gentleman, rushed to retrieve her things before they got misplaced.

The People's Choice Award For Best Short Film was given to Deshi. The film's producer Rajendrakumar More and director Rohit Kamble came from Kolhapur to collect the award. The film sent out a powerful message against caste-based discrimination in the field of education. They received the trophy at the hands of Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. The duo was smitten when the beautiful actor met them backstage. They asked Sonam for a photo and she happily posed with them. 


Technical Awards

Ananth Narayan Mahadevan's Village Of A Lesser God won the Best Short Film (Non-Fiction) Award. He sent Dr Jatin Valia, who runs the NGO featured in the film, to collect the award on his behalf. There are thousands of villages like Talasari in India, bereft of medical care centres. The sensitive film is an eye-opener indeed. Director Shazia Iqbal, our winner for Best Short Film (Bebaak) and her heroine Sarah Hashmi, who won the Best Actor (Female) In A Short Film for the same, couldn't handle the suspense. They kept asking us whether they were winning. Their astonishment, when their names were announced, was a sight to behold. Rajesh Sharma, Our Best Actor in a Short Film (Tindey), could not be present to receive his award. Unfortunately, he had a family crisis and had to rush back to Kolkata.


Technical Awards

Manish Malhotra has been creating one sartorial fantasy after another these past 30 years. To commemorate that Filmfare gave the ace designer a special award for making our films and stars look so alluring. Models recreated his iconic looks in films like Kajol's Anjali (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), Kareena Kapoor's Poo (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) and Geet (Jab We Met), Deepika Padukone's Shanti (Om Shanti Om), Priyanka Chopra's Desi Girl (Dostana) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Saba (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil). It was a fitting lyrical tribute to the master of design. In his acceptance speech Manish said, ìAs a child, I loved movies so much that they love me back now.î Sweet.  Kareena Kapoor Khan gave a heartfelt speech about Manish before presenting him the trophy. Karan Johar too was happy for his friend and colleague Manish and congratulated him heartily.  


Technical Awards

Like always, Karan was the heart of the event, what with everyone from Vidya Balan, Manisha Koirala, Kareena, Kartik Aaryan and Tusshar Kapoor reaching out to greet him. Vidya, who shares screen space with Sanya Malhotra in the Shakuntala Devi biopic, was seen chatting with the younger actress. Both are essaying powerful roles in the film. We can't wait to watch the power girls on screen. Veteran Kabir Bedi, who still makes for a handsome man, was seen chatting with wife Parveen Dusanj and granddaughter Alaya Furniturewala. The trio made for a happy family. 


Technical Awards

Kartik Aaryan is one popular star alright. His Ralph Lauren Bear Sweater was the talk of the town and created much curiosity amongst his fans and onlookers. He created a mini-riot of sorts and only after he consented to get clicked with them did his fans back off. He touched KJo's feet as a mark of respect. Later, he touched host Neha Dhupia's feet as well when he went on stage. Neha, mesmerising in a black gown, was at her wittiest best throughout the proceedings, taking digs at everyone ñ all in fun and jest of course. Neha, you were fab.


Technical Awards

Farhan Akhtar walked in with the woman in his life, gorgeous singer Shibani Dandekar. They were joined later by Farhan's business partner and friend Ritesh Sidhwani. Farhan and Shibani have completed two years of togetherness. The couple cut a beautiful picture together. Team Gully Boy sat together and cheered for everyone with gusto. Best Debut and Best Supporting Actor nominee, Siddhant Chaturvedi, even did an impromptu dance atop his table at Neha's behest.  Another couple we spotted was Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat, who were seen chatting with a dapper-looking R Madhavan. Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa were seen enjoying the event. 

Being the stylista she is, Sonam Kapoor surprised everyone by choosing a saree over her statement gowns. She looked awesome in the ivory drape. Marriage surely suits her. The night saw many beauties in bold cuts and contours. 


Technical Awards

But Nushrat Bharucha's slit dress took the cake. It was literally held together by staples. Her confidence turned the tide in her favour. Slits seem to be the flavour of the season. Ananya Panday, Rakul Preet Singh, Vaani Kapoor, Tara Sutaria et al dared to bare in different variations. We caught a glimpse of Mithun Chakraborty's son Namashi Chakraborty at the party. The youngster, who looks much like his illustrious father, is making his debut in Rajkumar Santoshi's Bad Boy. Incidentally, Vardhan Puri, the late Amrish Puri's grandson, and Namashi were wearing similar blazers. The youngsters had a good laugh about it. All in allÖ it was an evening when the stars descended down to dazzle and delightÖ a kind of a curtain-raiser to the grand event that was to follow in Assam. The curtain-raiser was telecast on Zoom TV.


Technical Awards