'Piku' leads nominations in popular categories at TOIFA 2016

Amitabh Bachchan-Deepika Padukone starrer comedy drama "Piku" is leading the nomination in the popular category at TOIFA 2016 with seven nods including best film and best actor. "Piku" has secured other nods in categories like best director for Shoojit Sircar, Deepika for best actress, best supporting actor for Irrfan Khan and two nods (best film and best male actor) in critics' choice, a release by the organisers said. The road drama revolved around a hypochondriac old father and his cranky daughter. This year's frontrunner "Bajirao Mastani", a historical epic starring Deepika and Ranveer Singh, and romantic-comedy "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" come second with six nods apiece. "Bajirao Mastani" helmer Sanjay Leela Bhansali is nominated in the best director category besides the movie registering nominations in the best film, best actor, best actress categories. Both Priyanka Chopra and Tanvi Azmi have been nominated for best supporting roles for the period drama. Kangana Ranaut starrer "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" bagged her both best actress and best actress critics' nods. The sequel's other nominations are for best film, Aanand L Rai for best director, Deepak Dobriyal for both best supporting actor and best actor in a comic role. Also nominated in the best film category are "Dil Dhadakne Do" and "Bajrangi Bhaijaan". After 'Piku', Big B to do another father-daughter story Salman Khan-starring cross border drama bagged three other nods in categories like best actor, Kabir Khan for best director and Nawazuddin Siddiqui for best supporting actor. Siddiqui is also nominated in the best actor in a negative role category besides Darshan Kumar for "NH10", Ronit Roy (Guddu Rangeela) and Manoj Bajpayee (Tevar). Kanu Behl's "Titli" is nominated in the best debut director category, whose other contenders are Neeraj Ghaywan (Masaan) and Haeshwardhan Kulkarni for "Hunterrr". The upcoming second

edition

of Times of India Film Awards is scheduled to take place in Dubai on March 18. The awards ceremony will witness performances by

Bollywood

celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yo Yo Honey Singh and many others.

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