LAGE RAHO ARSHADBHAI: Arshad Warsi is still the comic favourite of the judges

Rang de Basanti walked away with top honours, including for best film, in most of the categories it was nominated for the eighth IIFA Awards as glamour, emotion and an electric atmosphere combined to make for an unforgettable star-studded ceremony at Sheffield in England.

Besides being adjudged the best film, Rang de Basanti, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's take on modern day patriotism, bagged as many as 11 awards, including for best actress in a supporting role for Soha Ali Khan.

The glittering ceremony, which began last night and ended early on Sunday, was interspersed with electrifying performances from Abhishek Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Govinda and Shilpa Shetty, and was watched by thousands of expatriates from all over Britain.

While Rani Mukeri won the Best Actress trophy for her performance in Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna, the Best Actor award went to Hrithik Roshan for his superhero act in Krrish.

Other major winners included Raj Kumar Hirani as Best Director and Arshad Warsi as Best Supporting Actor for Lage Raho Munnabhai.

Some of Bollywood's biggest names, including IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, attended the marathon four-hour function, along with more than 50,000 people.