Rang de Basanti wins best picture at IIFA

SHEFFIELD, England, June 10 (Reuters) Rang De Basanti won best picture at this year's International Indian Film Awards -- Bollywood's version of the Oscars.

The eighth annual IIFA awards took place in the 12,000 seater Sheffield Hallam arena in northern England last night stretching into the early hours of TOday as Bollywood's biggest stars celebrated their best films of the last year.

The film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, stars Aamir Khan, and also won Filmfare's best movie award along with almost a dozen other gongs at the IIFA awards.

In the movie, a young London based film maker chances upon the diaries of her grandfather, who served in the British police force in India. The film deals with Indian independence, patriotism and contemporary India.

The award for best actor went to Hrithik Roshan for his role in Krrish -- billed as India's first superhero movie.

''May our children never be afraid to dream the impossible because ... someone like me could get this far,'' said Mr Roshan, who also won the gong for the most glamorous male lead.

Best actress went to Rani Mukherji for her role in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna.

The awards were created seven years ago to promote Indian films to an international audience. Previous ceremonies have been held in the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Singapore.

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