Winners of 61st Filmfare Awards announced, the glitzy night was a potpourri of emotions

The much-awaited results of the 61st Idea Filmfare Awards were announcedon July 12 at the beautifully decorated Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The awards ceremony was an extravagant affair with marvellous dance performances and emotional speeches. The glamorous nightgave Kollywood stars, more reasons to shed tears of joy.

Ram's Thanga Meenkal and Bala's Paradesi won three awards each. Atharvaa took home the Best Actor (Male) Award for his outstanding performance in Paradesi and Nayanthara bagged the Best Actress Award for Raja Rani. "For this is my first Filmfare and I have no words to express my happiness. Bala sir, thank you," said AtharvaaMurali.Actors Nivin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim won the Best Debut Awards at the award function. Kadal directed by Mani Ratnam won four awards, with one going all the way to The Musical Maestro A.R. Rahman.

Talking about Tollywood industry, family drama Attarintiki Daredi directed by Trivikram Srinivas, won the Best Film award. Heartthrob Mahesh Babu won the Best Actor Award for Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu and Nithya Menen’s splendid performance in Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde fetched her the Best Actress Award. Other South Indian movies like Mynaa and Drishyam bagged the Best Film (Kannada) Award and Best Film (Malayalam) Award respectively.

The night also witnessed an emotional moment when Kamal Haasan paid tribute to his Sadma director, Balu Mahendra, who was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. The night sizzled when Sanchita Shetty, Taapsee Pannu and Catherine Tresa performed at the grand stage and impressed audience with their dazzling dance moves.