“They didn't let me be a ‘Miss’ and nobody made me a ‘Mrs’,” says actor Alia Bhatt’s character in an iconic scene from ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ in which she discards a written speech, calls for a chair onstage, sits on it, takes off her shades, looks the world in the eye and delivers an impromptu heartfelt talk. For channelling a 1950s’ Kamathipura sex worker with nuanced dignity, Bhatt—the white-swathed leading lady of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie—won a Black Lady for best actor in a leading role (female) at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023 with Maharashtra Tourism held at BKC’s Jio World Convention Centre on Thursday. The widely-acclaimed biopic was the undisputed queen of the evening, earning several trophies, including best film and best director for Bhansali.

Rajkummar Rao took home the best actor in a leading role (male) award for his meticulous portrayal of agay man in a sham marriage in director Harshvardhan Kulkarni’s heartfelt dramedy ‘Badhaai Do’.

The ceremony aptly began with the national anthem and Maharashtra’s minister of tourism, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with Amruta Fadnavis, wife of deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, lit the inaugural lamp.

“Maharashtra was always the film capital of India. To provide further momentum to the state to sustain its reign as film capital in the future, we are going to launch a single window system for movies soon,” said Lodha.

The ceremony, which marked the debut of Salman Khan as host and presenter at Filmfare Awards, packed enough of his signature moments to power an imaginary post-credits sequence in which the onstage actor gives his onscreen self a run for his box office collection.

Six days after the release of his latest flick ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisiki Jaan’, Khan replicated the dance moves in the song ‘Naiyo Lagda’ from the film. Mike in a bracelet-clad hand, tongue in cheek and eyes on the prize, he was at his witty best with co-hosts Ayushmann Khurrana and Maniesh Paul.

“Without them, actors would be ‘nirvastra’ (uncovered),” said Khan while introducing the nominees for best costume design. “You understand ‘nirvastra’?” Khan asked Paul. “Yes sir, I have been ‘nirvastra' on many occasions,” came the reply.

Amid a sea of stars on the red carpet, actor Sanjay Mishra—who won the best actor (critics’ award) for his portrayal of a debt-ridden pensioner in the film ‘Vadh’—stood out with his silver beard and sunglasses.

Here, heads turned when statuesque models in cocktail gowns and glam ghagras posed for cameras and bobbed when music composer Anu Malik, who was flanked by his two daughters, broke into spontaneous Govinda and Salman numbers on cue. “Oonchi hai building. . . ,” Malik sang, snapping his fingers.

The whistles and cheers that ensued in the wake of each of the evening’s powerhouse performers—Vicky Kaushal, Govinda, Tiger Shroff, Janhvi Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez—matched cinema halls playing films starring the evening’s superstar host.

Those who dropped in early caught a sneak peek of Shroff’s parkour moves as he leapt off the stage and onto a mattress on the floor several times over.

The highlight reel included octogenarian actor Prem Chopra—the leading villain of many a Hindi film from the ’60s—winning the Lifetime Achievement award. “Prem. Prem naam hai mera. Prem Chopra,” said Chopra, reminiscing his iconic line.

The 68th Filmfare Awards 2023 is presented by Hyundai Motor India as the Title Partner, Destination Partner Maharashtra Tourism, Co-presented by Vimal Elaichi.