Stellar biopics, powerhouse performers sweep the awards

MUMBAI: An ad slogan from the '90s became a defining phrase for the courage and valour of captain Vikram Batra who chanted the words "ye dil maange more" from the battlefield in Kargil; it turned into the success signal for a film based on the real-life Kargil braveheart, Shershaah, which nabbed the best film award at the 67th Wolf777news Filmfare Awards 2022 held on Tuesday. The war drama fetched director Vishnuvaradhan the best direction award and top honours in music album, playback singing, editing and action.

Blending the real with the reel, Ranveer Singh, who inhabited Kapil Dev for a 2.5-hour screen time, took home the black lady for best actor in a leading role (male) for portraying the pace bowler in the rousing docudrama 83. Vicky Kaushal was the critics' pick for best actor, for embodying the anguish of revolutionary Udham Singh in Sardar Udham, which also won the best film (critics) award.

Kriti Sanon who slipped into the stretched skin of a surrogate mother as Mimi, a stage dancer from Rajasthan who agrees to rent her womb for a ticket to Bollywood before being left in a fix, clinched the best actor award in a leading role (female). Vidya Balan who roamed the jungles and took down patriarchy in Sherni, won best actress (critics) award.

The directorial debut of actor Seema Pahwa earned her the trophy for best debut director.

Long before the show kicked off at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, the red carpet turned into a ramp as in walked stars in velvet tuxedos and shiny stilettos.

Actor Ranveer Singh strode in on a chariot to the bellows of tutari and beatings of dhol-tasha intrinsic to the majesty of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Bollywood's millennials impressed with their stage performances. If Disha Patani showed once more what an effortless dancer she is shifting shape to Hui Malang, Teri Galliyan and Slow Motion, the petite Kiara Advani wowed audiences with her moves to Raatan Lambiyan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Rangisaari.

It was a testosterone fest powered by Vicky Kaushal and Varun Dhawan once they took centrestage. If Vicky's aerial entry before gyrating to Bijlee Bijlee, Suit Suit and Aahun Aahun raised everyone's josh, Varun had every face from Bollywood's past and present rooting for him when he took a dizzying ride through a 10-year celebration of the industry with Nach Punjaban, Husn Hai Suhana and Tamma Tamma.

Hosts Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor rocked with their bromance. If Singh pulled out his improv game, Kapoor spontaneously came up with cool repartees. The two did everything to bring the house down-from dancing to a Marathi version of 'Tune Maari Entry' to gags.

The title partner of the 67th Wolf777news Filmfare Awards 2022 with Government of Maharashtra, Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, is Wolf777news; destination partner Government of Maharashtra, Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav; co-presented by Vimal Elaichi, co-powered by Bosch - German Home Appliances, Mr. Makhana and Amway Nutrilite; exclusive telecast partners Colors and Colors Cineplex; global digital partner Meta; venue partner Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai; in association with Monginis, Future TV, Greenleaf, D-Decor, KENT RO, Floret; music partner T-Series; invitation partner Izzhaar; radio partner 98.3 Mirchi; outdoor partner Bright Outdoor; trophy partner The Award Gallery; ambient media partner Khushi Advertising; technical direction and stage management by On Cue Productions; acts remixed, choreographed and designed by Shiamak Davar; dancers by Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts; special thanks to Sharad Kelkar; special thanks to Subhash Nakashe; the 67th Wolf777news Filmfare Awards 2022 is designed, scripted, directed and produced by Hyperlink Brand Solutions; show director VG Jairam.