International Indian Film Awards – IIFA 2012

The 13th annual International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) took place this year in Singapore. Even though the awards are titled Indian, many would like it changed to Bollywood or Hindi film awards due to its lack of regional films. Many Southern film producers have decided to stay home yet again.

Media sources reported on the lack of "A" star celebrities at the event but that’s because they were out looking for the Northern stars. For the southerners in Singapore who make up the majority of Indians on the island and where Tamil is a national language, the event was a Chinna-treat. The Singapore Tamil community were also treated earlier in the year when Singapore hosted the star studded International Tamil Film Awards.

At IIFA 2012, popular Tamil film star Kamal Hassan was there to screen his trailer and snippets from his upcoming movie Vishwaroop (Hindi) & Vishwaroopam (Tamil). He also announced that he is teaming up with Oscar winning producer Barrie M Osborne (Lord of the Rings trilogy) on a Hollywood project. Barry said, “I was privileged to have been invited to watch Vishwaroopam and I was so impressed to see what he had accomplished. So we just started talking about the possibility of working together, and he came up with a brilliant idea, which I felt so compelling that I couldn’t resist.” Kamal will be acting and co-writing the script. 

NDTV reported – After the applause actors Kamal Haasan and Sharathkumar got wherever they went in Singapore and the enthusiasm of watching Shahid Kapoor dance to South Indian songs, everyone decided to try out Tamil in their announcements. First AR Rahman cheekily revealed the Best Actor’s name in Tamil, then co-presenter Rekha took the cue and made another remark in the same language. Then, when Sridevi was called upon to present the Best Film award, she also meekly talked in her mother tongue. The audience was maha-impressed.

Actor-director-choreographer Prabhu Deva regarded as an Icon across India, captivated the audience with his dance moves just like he did throughout his early years starring in Tamil movies. He also choreographed the entire awards show.

Congratulations to the 2012 winners especially Rekha who walked away with the "Outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema." We have listed below the winners and their categories. Highlighted are stars from the south.

Best Film: ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’
Best Director: Zoya Akhtar  for ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’
Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male): Ranbir Kapoor  for ‘Rockstar’
Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female): Vidya Balan for ‘The Dirty Picture’
Best Performance in a Negative Role (Male): Prakash Raj for ‘Singham’
Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Male): Farhan Akhtar for ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’
Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female): Parineeti Chopra for ‘Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl’
Best Debut of the year (Male): Vidyut Jamwal for ‘Force’
Best Debut of the year (Female): Parineeti Chopra  for ‘Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl’
Hottest Pair of the Year: Ranbir Kapoor & Nargis Fakhri for Rockstar
Best Story: Reema Kagti & Zoya Akhtar for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Best Music Direction: A.R. Rahman for Rockstar
Best Lyrics: Irshad Kamil for ‘Nadaan Parinde’  (Rockstar)
Best Playback Singer (Male): Mohit Chauhan for ‘Nadaan Parinde’ (Rockstar)
Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal for ‘Teri Meri’ (Bodyguard)
Outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema (Male): Ramesh Sippy
Outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema (Female): Rekha
Outstanding contribution to Environment: Dia Mirza