GENTING HIGHLANDS (Malaysia) April 6: Days after “Lagaan” failed to win an Oscar for the best foreign film, the Indian film industry gathered at a Malaysian resort to heap praise and awards on the emotional saga of a cricket match.

A star-studded cast of Indian film stars gathered at Genting Highlands on Saturday night for the “Bollywood Oscars”, the India International Film Awards, the third in a series that began in 2000.

In the past the event has been held in London, Britain and in Sun City, South Africa.

“Lagaan”, one of the only three Indian films to be ever nominated for the best foreign film at the Oscars last month, walked away with the awards for best film and best direction at Genting.

Aamir Khan won the best actor’s award for his role as Bhuvan, a village lad who challenges British colonial rulers to a cricket match and leads a rag-tag team to a last ball victory.

The film also won the award for best direction.

“The world has begin to realise that Indian cinema is not only about song and dance but more,” said Bollywood film icon Amitabh Bachchan. “The gold rush has begun,” he added.

Best actress award went to Tabu, who starred in “Chandni Bar”, a film about the lives of bar girls in Bombay.

Fresh from its first Oscar nominations in more than a decade and a with string of recent international blockbusters and art films, India’s movie capital Bombay is winning fans across the globe as directors break from common melodrama and escapist fare.

The four-hour event was peppered with Bollywood’s staple diet of glitzy dances and songs. It was also aimed at improving cultural relations between India and Malaysia, where Indian films are hugely popular.

The evening displayed its share of hot pinks, maroon, black and brocaded saris and golden jewellery as guests arrived from India, Indonesia, Singapore and other parts of Malaysia.—Reuters