New York, May 29, 2007: If you are a die-hard Bollywood fan and can count Bipasha Basu, Urmila Matondkar, Vivek Oberoi, Arjun Rampal among your favorite stars, then this was one event you would never have wanted to miss - The Bollywood Movie Awards 2007.

Finally, after all the suspense and hoopla regarding the much-talked-about Bollywood Awards, it was now officially underway. This was the place to rendezvous with the greatest and sexiest stars of Bollywood who were out in full force adding glamour and glitz to this star-studded event. I managed to get a prime seat in the VIP Section and was enamored by the size of the Coliseum. I was also awe struck at the sight of over 15,000 fans from across the US, Canada and even the Caribbean who had packed the Nassau Coliseum at Long Island for the much-awaited Bollywood Movie Awards 2007.

The celebrities who performed at this year's magnum opus included Bipasha Basu, Arjun Rampal, Vivek Oberoi, Urmilla Matondkar, Soha Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia, Kangana Ranaut, Mona Singh, UK's Raghav, Pakistan's top actress and singer Shahida Mini, Caribbean Singer Ricki Ramdehal and Pakistan's popular singer Waris Beg. Other stars in attendance were Hollywood Superstar Danny Glover, Phylicia Rashad of The Cosby Show, Kirron Kher, Mira Nair, former actress Asha Parekh, Upen Patel, Lage Raho Munnabhai Director- Raj Kumar Hirani and many others. The MC for the event was Mona Singh of Jassi fame.

The awards ceremony was officially sponsored by Wal-Mart. "Bollywood brings an important cultural experience and rich history to the city of New York while contributing to the influence of American cinema," said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president, diversity relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "As a global retailer, it's important that we demonstrate our commitment to diversity. Supporting the Bollywood Awards is a great opportunity for us to further promote the initiatives of the Asian American and Pacific-Islander community."

After a dazzling display of pyrotechnics and feet stomping music, the show started off with a bang with the attractive actress Soha Ali Khan gyrating to a dance number that set men's hearts aflutter. Soha Ali Khan, daughter of yesteryear actress, Sharmila Tagore, and famed cricketer, Nawab of Pataudi, and sister of top actor, Saif Ali Khan also performed to a medley of musical hits. The next actress that set the crowd in a fan-frenzy was Kangana Ranaut, a beauty from Himachal Pradesh who entered the Indian film industry with a splash, wowing audiences and critics alike with her portrayals of a bar dancer in Gangster and of a mentally-ill Parveen Babi in Woh Lamhe. Soon after, the fans went into a mad frenzy (especially the guys) when Bipasha Basu took to the stage. There were a few over enthusiastic fans who tried to run onto the stage but were stopped in time by the burly security guys.

The biggest draw at the event was none other than the critically and commercially acclaimed actor, Vivek Oberoi. Vivek has blazed onto the big screen with his realistic portrayal of a gangster in Ram Gopal Varma's Company. He has quickly moved out of the shadow of his father, esteemed veteran actor, Suresh Oberoi, and climbed into the top echelon of Indian leading men. His unconventional good looks and million-dollar smile has made him very popular with the ladies and the actor was most recently linked with Bollywood beauty, Aishwarya Rai, before her engagement to Abhishek Bachchan.

Danny Glover, whose film credits include 'Lethal Weapon' franchise and whose performance in the title role of HBO movie 'Mandela' earned him an Emmy nomination, was given the award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Entertainment. Mira Nair, director of crossover films like 'The Namesake' and 'Monsoon Wedding', was given the Pride of India Award. Asha Parekh was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

There were a number of nominations in different categories. Some of the awards included: Best film: Lage Raho Munnabhai, Best Director: Rajkumar Hirani for Lage Raho, Best Actor: Hrithik Roshan for Dhoom 2, Best Actress: Bipasha Basu for Corporate, Best Actor in Supporting Role: Vivek Oberoi for Omkara, Best Actress in Supporting Role: Kirron Kher for Rang De Basanti. The best debut actor award went to Upen Patel and the best debut actress award went to Kangana Ranaut. The audience that packed the Nassau Coliseum had, however, come to be entertained and they were not disappointed. Arjun Rampal sent the girls into raptures when he took off his shirt and flexed his muscles, while Vivek Oberoi had the women swooning with his romantic numbers.

The event concluded with a thunderous applause from the 15,000 Bollywood fans. Danny Glover has always been my all-time favorite star and I got the opportunity to talk to him very briefly before he was whisked away by security folks to back stage. I also spotted Vivek Oberoi and his dad Suresh Oberoi after the event and mustered courage to walk up to them and greet them. I was getting ready to click a picture with Vivek Oberoi, when I heard this thunderous noise that seemed to get louder. I suddenly saw a group of hysterical and star struck fans (gals) of Vivek Oberoi rushing to embrace him. I quickly jumped out of their way to avoid getting trampled by the fans.

As I left the coliseum, I definitely think that this was a great event and a memorable night. No stone was left unturned and the organizers ensured that this Bollywood Movie Awards was a glamorous and historic event. The unprecedented participation by the galaxy of stars, celebrities, dignitaries, luminaries made this a truly breathtaking event. I for one walked away contented as I had met some of the Bollywood stars face-face albeit briefly. I can't wait to attend the next Bollywood 2008 Awards!

By Brian Santhumayor
Mangalorean.com

- By Brian Santhumayor